Essay on Case Study - Pharmocology

COPD is categorized by poorly reversible airflow obstruction and abnormal inflammatory responses in the lungs. This is primarily due to long-term exposure to noxious chemicals and gases, predominantly tobacco smoke. This augmented response to particulate exposure results in the hypersecretion of mucus, tissue destruction, as well as narrow airway inflammation and fibrosis. These pathological alterations increase resistance to airflow which increases the compliance of the lung, produces air trapping as well as gradual airflow obstruction.

The respiratory system is responsible for the regular intake and diffusion of oxygen and is integral for cellular respiration, creating energy and sustaining life (VanPutte, Regan & Russo, 2014). However, COPD is a common and irreversible respiratory disorder with patients experiencing airflow limitation and consequently display symptoms including breathlessness, a persistent cough, hyperinflation of the chest muscles chest and an over-reliance on accessory muscles to achieve regular breathing activity (Hodson & Sherrington, 2014). Although, there is a range of disease severity, this impairment often leads to episodes of acute exasperations where patients experience extreme difficulty maintaining basic respiratory function, frequent hospitalisation, comorbidities and high mortality rates (Austin, Willis, Blizzard, Walters, & Wood-Baker, 2010; Decramer, Janssens, & Miravitlles, 2012). Despite strong evidence of a relationship between smoking and COPD, Rabe, and Wedzicha (2011) suggests that other risk factors should be

Medical treatments may also be required to alleviate the difficulty in breathing. Anti-inflammatory medicines, such as corticosteroids and bronchodilators are traditionally used orally or injected. Recently aerosolized medicines have been prescribed after the development of the Aeromask (a tight fitting mask placed over the horse’s nose that works much like an inhaler in humans). While the aerosolized treatments are somewhat cost prohibitive, they are very effective and have less risk of adverse side

The second nursing concern is impaired gas exchange for patient with COPD, this may be related to; alter oxygen supply, alveoli destruction and alveolar capillary membrane changes. The nursing intervention of this would be, to elevate the head of the bed up to help the patient breathe easier, to assess the skin and the membrane for color changes and to encourage the patient to cough to help clear secretion, as well as, to monitor the level of consciousness and mental status. The expected outcomes would be that the patient shows improvement of ventilation and oxygenation of their tissues and by assessing the ABGs and to be free of respiratory distress (Vera, 2013).

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is most prevalent in the older adult and smokers. It is the third leading cause of death in the United States and affects 329 million people worldwide. The disease also carries a burden on the economy with an estimated cost of $29.5 billion annually for treating exacerbations (Hattab, Alhassan, Balaan, Lega, & Singh, 2016). It is defined as the limitation of airflow within the airway and lungs secondary to a chronic inflammatory response from exposure to noxious stimuli. Repeated exposure to chemicals like cigarette smoke lead to the destruction of the lung parenchyma and alveoli decreasing the lungs ability to appropriately exchange gases (Baraldo, Turato & Saetta, 2012). The disease is both preventable and treatable with appropriate evidence-based practice and patient education as presented.

Drugs /Drugs Interactions: This medication is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to any xanthine’s medications, also in patient with

COPD is preventable and treatable disease, characterized by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible (Rennard, Stolel, & Wilson, 2013). National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute developed GOLD Standards that are used to define and stage COPD. Most patients with COPD have a history of cigarette smoking or alternative inhalational exposure (Rennard, Stolel, & Wilson, 2013).COPD is diagnosed by the physical examination and pulmonary function test, which is considered as a cornerstone of the diagnostic evaluation Rennard, Stolel, & Wilson, 2013). Once a patient is diagnosed with the COPD and staged, the treatment (pharmacological and non-pharmacological) should be individualized.

Currently the 4th leading cause of mortality worldwide, COPD or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is reported to account for more than three million deaths per year 1 and is estimated to rank fifth in disease burden in 20202. The Global Initiative for Obstructive Lung Disease (GOLD) guidelines updated their definition of COPD in 2006 as “a preventable and treatable disease with some significant extra-pulmonary effects that may contribute to the severity in individual patients. Its pulmonary component is characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. The airflow limitation is usually progressive and associated with an abnormal inflammatory response of the lungs to noxious particles or gases”3.

This was done by creating a hard stop in the computer charted assessment which the nurse is required to complete every 12 hours. The guidelines also called for monitoring of the patient after catheter removal and for use of the bladder scanner.

This cough is the main reason why somebody would stop taking this medication. If patients experience a cough that is dry, nonproductive and persistent they should stop the medication and go to the emergency room. Other adverse effects to keep in mind will be first-dose hypotension, hyperkalemia, renal failure and neutropenia.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease caused by smoking and cannot be cured. However, it can be managed and the patient, HA, has a prescription for two types of drugs to help control the condition, Tiotropium to help open the airways of the lungs and Salbutamol which is a quick reliever. The symptoms of the disease don’t usually show up until later in life usually shown in people in their late 30s onwards. So many patients don’t realise they have the disease until the disease has progressed a bit. The disease only gets progressively worse with time and the best way to prevent further deterioration of the disease is to quite smoking. The pharmacist is important in making sure the patient understands how to take their medication effectively as well as offering any additional services for their condition. The pharmacist can also help the patient make any beneficial lifestyle changes. However, the most important role of the pharmacist is to offer advice to the patient and should be a source of information that the patient can use to acask any questions or queries they have on their condition, medication or any services they may be interested in.

Your doctor is giving you an inhaler for your asthma called Albuterol. This medication helps to open up your airway and make breathing easier. He wants you to do 2 puffs inhaled, every four hours as needed when you start to wheeze, cough of become short of breath. Make sure that you use the extension piece on the end of the inhaler. Shake your inhaler 3 or 4 times. Remove the cap and put it in the spacer. Breathe out and then bring the spacer to your mouth. Put the mouthpiece between your teeth and close your lips around it. Press the top of the inhaler once and breathe in very slowly and hold your breath for about 10 seconds, then breathe out. Wait about 2 minutes and do this again. (Providing instruction and showing patient how to do all this by demonstration and acting out return demonstration back to the nurse). Make sure to wash your spacer with warm soap water and rinse with clean water and let it air dry on a paper towel. You can experience a dry mouth or throat and even a cough with this medication. You can help prevent this by washing your mouth out with water after taking

The Level of Evidence of this study is level 4. The discussion section of the article matches the article topic. The author was honest that a different type of research should be done to further answer the hypothesis. The author provides clear implications and recommendations for practice labeled as Nursing implications.

+Herbal Remedies - Due to a large saponin content, mullein (_Verbasum thapsum_) acts as an expectorant, alleviating congestion of the respiratory tract. Seneca Snakeroot (Polygala senega) also helps in clearing chest congestion. Eucalyptus (_Eucalyptus globules_), the popular medicinal herb inhibits bacterial growth in the respiratory membranes and soothes a cough.[ref][Pneumonia](http://medplant.nmsu.edu/Diseases/pneumonia/pneumonia.htm). Medicinal Plants of the

The nursing process, upon introduction by North American Nurses Diagnosis Association[NANDA] has proved to be a means of standardizing nursing care and in maintaining professional autonomy. However, despite its benefits, many nurses are yet to fully understand and put to practice the nursing process in care of patients. The nursing process was originally adopted by the North American nursing profession from the general systems theory (GST) and quickly became a symbol of contemporary nursing as well as a professionalism nurse ideology [G. M. C. Mason and M. Attree, 2010].