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COPD Case Study Essay

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What clinical findings are likely in R.S. as a consequence of his COPD? How would these differ from those of emphysematous COPD? Patients that do have chronic bronchitis ( B COPD) typically exhibit shortness of breath on exertion, excessive amounts of sputum, chronic cough, and evidence of excess bodily fluids (edema, hypervolemia). Chronic cough tends to be most severe in the mornings, is productive, and occurs for more than 3 months and occurring each year for at least 2 consecutive years. In addition, patients tend to complain about chills, malaise, muscle aches, fatigue, loss of libido, and insomnia. Smoking is also a typical clinical manifestation and is the leading cause of B COPD (accounting for 90% of cases). Late signs include right-sided heart …show more content…

is stated to have a history of prolonged smoking, a leading cause of B COPD. R.S. has a PaO2 of 50 mm Hg and PaCO2 of 60 mm Hg, showing elevated PaCO2, and decreased levels of PaO2 that are consistent with that of B COPD. Patient is taking inhaled β2 agonists and theophylline which are treatments of COPD. Since R.S.’s PaO2 is less than 50 mm Hg, it is recommended that R.S. be treated with low-dose oxygen therapy. Since PaO2 is decreased in R.S., excess strain on the heart would occur in order to move oxygen throughout the body which could go along with coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease as these are diseases of the arteries and arteries pump oxygenated blood away from the heart. Smoking is also a possible involvement of coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease. Coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease are usually caused by atherosclerosis of coronary arteries unrelated to COPD. Additionally, patients with B COPD often exhibit bacterial colonization that causes pneumonia. Since R.S. has an area of consolidation in his right lower lobe that is thought to be consistent with pneumonia, patient is as risk of

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