RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
UNDERSTANDING COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
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RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
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CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (COPD)
Refers to a group of lung diseases that block airflow and make breathing
difficult
Most Common conditions that make up COPD
1. Chronic bronchitis
2. Emphysema
Causes, incidence, and risk factors
Smoking is the leading cause of COPD. The more a person smokes,
the more likely that person will develop COPD. However, some people
smoke for years and never get COPD
CURE: AT THIS TIME THERE IS NO CURE ONLY SYMPTOM MANAGEMENT
RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
Dyspnea
• May be described as:
• shortness of breath
• a smothering feeling
• inability to get enough air
• Feeling you are suffocating.
MEDICATIONS USED TO MANAGE COPD
Bronchodilators: Usually an inhaler relax muscles around airway
Inhaled steroids. Reduce inflammation prevents flare ups
Combination inhalers: bronchodilators with a steroid
Oral steroids. For moderate to severe COPD can slow down
progression of COPD but also has side effects.
Weight Gain, diabetes
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RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
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Non-pharmacologic interventions . . .
• Reassure, reduce anxiety
• Behavioral approaches, , relaxation, distraction,
• Limit the number of people in the room
• Open window
• Turn fan on
• If you are short of breath laying down, sit up
• Sit in tripod position
RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
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LIVING WITH COPD
KEEP YOUR RESCUE INHALER NEARBY
• Keep the house clean and dust free. With COPD, you have a harder
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time breathing when exposed to lung irritants such as dust or even
strong perfumes.
Keep the air you breathe warm and comfortable. Cold air will restrict
the lungs and make breathing more difficult. If You go outside on a
cold day have wear a face mask over nose and mouth which will
warm up the air
Pace your activities: keep in easy reach books, magazines, the TV
remote, and snacks or drinks. This will help conserve your energy on
days you feel short of breath.
Watch for signs of depression . People with serious cases of COPD
often become depressed because they are unable to participate in
activities or even do basic things
Always report any changes in your breathing to your doctor.
RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
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When to call your nurse
• Hard to breath
• Gasping for air
• Confusion
• Increased cough with sputum that is either too sticky to
cough up or yellow, green, blood tinged.
• Rescue inhaler not working.
• Fever
RM VAN DEE RN, MSN PROCARE HOSPICE
Post Test
1. List diseases that fall under umbrella term COPD?
____________________________________________
2 What are triggers? _____________________________
3. What can you do to ease breathing for patient?
A)give them cold water
B) tell them jokes to take mind off breathing
C. have them relax sit in tripod position, purses lip breathing
4. Is there a cure for COPD? Yes
NO
5. What do inhalers do to help patient’s breath easier?
A) Calms them down
B) opens airway
C) Gives false sense of doing something
6. What are some Non-pharmacologic interventions nurse assistant can do to help patient
with COPD?
________________________________________________________________________
7. Do only people with a history of smoking have COPD? Yes
NO
Name (Print) ___________________________ Date____________________
Instructor Rose Marie P Van Dee Rn, MSN, (signature___________________)
NV000672
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