preview

Copd Longterm Conditions

Best Essays

Introduction:

Within the confines of this assignment, it is the hope of the author that the reader will obtain an understanding of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). This will be achieved by bringing the reader through the patients’ illness journey. The assignment will begin by defining COPD and briefly going through the pathophysiology and incidents of the condition. From there the reader will embark on the journey, starting with diagnosis.
The author will attempt to give an in-depth exploration of the next stage, living for today while also discussing the Health Care Professionals’ role in providing a holistic approach to care. As COPD is a progressive lung disease (Kennedy, 2011) Symptom management is a major part of …show more content…

(Scullion, 2010) The patient simply may not understand what is being asked of them as the term adherence in-relation to COPD expands above and beyond simply taking medication, it requires extensive lifestyle changes. With that in mind, Nurses and other Multi-disciplinary team members must seek concordance from patients in apposed to adherence within a patient centered approach to care. Taking a concordant approach means that patients are informed about their condition and treatment options. It creates a partnership, which involves the patient in the decision making process and allows them to take responsibility for monitoring their own condition and communicating back. (Scullion, 2010)

One of the main and most frightening symptom in COPD is breathlessness. The sensation of being unable to catch ones breath is uncomfortable and painful. It can increase over time and patients may also suffer with acute exacerbations.(Ek et al. 2010; Sculliion & Holmes, 2011) The actual feeling of breathlessness has been described as being similar to an anxiety attack, but is exacerbated by the patients fear and worry that their next breath will be their last. (Ek et al. 2010) The secondary effects of breathlessness can be quite similar to feelings experienced in the grieving process (Kubler-Ross, 1969) in that the

Get Access