COPD Exacerbation

During the second week of my clinical rotation, I had the privilege of being with the respiratory department, as a result of that my research of the Continuity of Care topic will be based on the topic of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease). COPD patients are usually readmitted due to acute exacerbations also known as (AECOPD). (Laverty et al., 2015). In this paper, we explore the COPD discharge care bundles which have been developed by different authors. The care bundle consists of a short list of certain evidence-based practices to be utilized or implemented before discharge for all patients who have been admitted with COPD, based on reviewing national guidelines, evidenced based practices, expert opinion, other relevant literature, peer-reviewed journals and patient consultation. (Hopkinson et al., 2012).

Your topic is very interesting, when I practice as an ICU nurse I nursed many patients admitted with COPD exacerbations due to different etiology including unknown causes. I believe you bring up a very good point about not only obtaining an informed consent, but also offer education to the patients willing to participate in this research project. This is such a great intervention as the inform consent does not meet the educational needs required to provide full understanding of why this research needs to be completed and the benefits, and the impact that may have among this population. I am earger to read about your findings!! Great

The effectiveness of Family Support Caregiver in improving the Functional Status of Client with Pulmonary Diseases.

The World Health Organization (WHO) recognizes dementia as a major public health priority and a significant cause of disability.[1] With the aging of the Canadian population, dementia as a serious public health issue will continue to grow. Several research reports point to a potential link between COPD and the development of cognitive decline.[2-5] Depending on the population group and methodology, about 10 to 61% of COPD patients have cognitive impairment.[2,6] The literature indicates that cognitive impairment in COPD patients may be associated with increased adverse outcomes such as more prolonged hospitalization, difficulty with the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL),[7,8] and trouble with managing their disease and adherence to treatment.[9-11] Moreover, the cognitive impairment could affect the success of pulmonary rehabilitation[12] and smoking cessation programmes[13] in patients with COPD.

All over the world, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a very significant and prevalent cause of morbidity and mortality, and it is increasing with time (Hurd, 2000; Pauwels, 2000; Petty, 2000). Due to the factor of COPD being an underdiagnosed and undertreated disease, the epidemiology (Pauwels, Rabe, 2004) is about 60 to 85 % with mild or moderate COPD remaining undiagnosed (Miravitlles et al., 2009; Hvidsten et al., 2010).

As a result of R.S.’s chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), he’s going to be experiencing the many consequences of his type B COPD, otherwise known as chronic bronchitis. Copstead & Banasik (2013) states that the pathogenesis for chronic bronchitis has changes in the airways that include swelling and chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa which can lead to scarring. In addition, there is hypertrophy of mucosal glands and goblet cells, which leads to increased mucosal production. In chronic bronchitis, there’s also a hypersecretion of bronchial mucous (Copstead & Banasik, 2013, p. 483). In normal conditions, the mucus produced by the mucus glands aids in the protection of the lungs by capturing the foreign particles that enter into the lungs. Bellamy & Booker (2004) report that when long-term smokers such as R.S., who are already developing chronic airflow obstruction, the excess of hypersecretion of mucus contributes to the decline of lung function. Long-term production of mucus may cause the patient to suffer lower respiratory tract infection (p. 19).

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is the third leading cause of death in the United States. The disease affects more than 11 million individuals, and there is currently no cure for COPD. It is defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lungs that is mainly caused by smoking. COPD changes the normal function of the lungs. A patient with COPD has less air flowing in and out of the airways. These individuals also use most of their energies in breathing since it is harder for them to get oxygen. The airways of individuals with COPD are clogged with mucus which decreases their ability to eliminate carbon dioxide and bring oxygen inside the body.

Based on a case study for a 76 year old female, Betty White, presenting to a medical ward with an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this paper will firstly outline a brief summary of COPD and discuss the associated risk factors. Secondly, the patient’s information will be summarised. From the perspective of the primary Registered Nurse, this paper will detail steps of an initial clinical assessment of the patient. In doing this, the priorities and considerations involved in order to provide best patient care for this scenario will be addressed. A discussion of information and suggested interventions will be integrated as to how the nurse shall develop a plan of care. Furthermore, it will outline

Do you know what the third leading cause of death is among Americans? That’s right, it is chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, or COPD, which is an overall heading used to cover several conditions, all of which are characterized by blockage of air from the lungs, resulting in increasing breathlessness. The two main diseases that fall into this category are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. According to the American Lung Association, COPD affects the lives of more than 12 million adults in the United States. There is a large difference in the way an unaffected, healthy lung and a COPD stricken lung operates. Some people’s life styles and living environments put them at a higher risk for

COPD is a lung disease that makes a person hard to breath. This can cause damage to the lung over the years and this is usually caused from smoking. COPD is a mix of two diseases chronic bronchitis is the airway that carry air to the lung that causes the lung to inflame and make a lot of mucus. This can cause or block the airways that will make it hard to breath. Then there is emphysema where this is a healthy person, Tiny air sacs in the lungs and look like balloons. As the person breathe when inhaling and exhaling. Emphysema are air sacs that damage and lose their stretch. This will cause for less air to get in and out the lungs, in which it will make you feel out of breath.

Smoking can take a serious toll on your health. If you have been smoking for several years, you could be a risk for developing COPD. Fortunately, you can slow the progression of COPD. Quitting smoking takes a tremendous amount of will power, but you can kick the nicotine habit. Many people increase their caffeine intake to get through the withdrawal stage, and water can also be used to kick the tobacco habit. Increasing your water intake will flush toxins out of your body. Most people start to notice positive changes within one week of quitting.

October 2014 had some unusually high temperatures for Southwestern Pennsylvania. While most residents were enjoying the summer like weather, I came to find out that not all were. Extremes in weather can trigger COPD exacerbation. COPD symptoms, such as cough, phlegm production, and shortness of breath, tend to get worse for some patients when the air is very cold or when it is hot and humid. The body is always working to try to maintain a normal body temperature, which is about 98.6 F. When exposed to extreme temperatures, such as during the heat of summer, the body uses extra energy trying to cool itself down in order to maintain normal body temperature. The use of extra energy causes the body to demand more oxygen. People with COPD often

Keith Orton, 61 year old male, has been diagnosed with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a not fully reversible lung disease characterised by post bronchodilator limitation of expiratory airflow by comparison with lung volumes , interfering with normal breathing. COPD is used as an umbrella term to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Disorders such as tracheal tumour, cystic fibrosis, obliterative bronchiolitis and respiratory bronchiolitis interstitial lung disease, that can restrict expiratory airflow are excluded from the COPD definition. However, these disorders may be present in a patient diagnosed with COPD, but whether they are associated is unknown.

The most likely bacterial causes of infective exacerbation of COPD are: Haemophilus influenzae, Moraxella catarrhalis, Streptococcus pneumonia, Haemophilus parainfluenzae, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae, Klebsiella pneumonia and Mycoplasma pneumoniae (S.Sethi, 2004; T. Kawamatawong et al, 2017; King et al, 2013).

Pathological changes characteristic of COPD are found in the airways , lung parenchyma and pulmonary vasculature .These include chronic inflammation, with increased numbers of CD8 lymphocytes in different parts of the lower respiratory system and structural changes which result from repeated injury . Inflammatory and structural changes increase with disease severity and smoking .(43)