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Studying A Geriatric Patient With Copd. . Respiratory Case

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Studying a Geriatric Patient with COPD Respiratory Case Study Elijah Stevens is 74 year old male with a history of COPD. He is admitted to the hospital for an exacerbation of his COPD. He continues to smoke cigarettes (reports one pack a day). His current medications include theophylline, albuterol inhaler, beclomethasone dipropionate inhaler and a chewable aspirin 81 mg once a day. His lung sounds are diminished bilaterally. Pulse oximetry reading is 90%. He is receiving oxygen at 2 liters per nasal cannula. He complains of shortness of breath with exertion. Critical Thinking Chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder, or COPD, is the overarching name given to multiple lung diseases. In adults, this includes emphysema, an …show more content…

Stevens, the dose should not be more than 2mg up to 4 times a day. This dose may be slowly increased, up to 32mg per day. The purpose of Albuterol is to dilate the bronchioles and prevent airway obstruction caused by the COPD. Due to its adrenergic properties, common side effects include nervousness, restlessness, tremor, headache, chest pain, and palpitations. Excessive use of inhalers could result in paradoxical bronchospasm. Albuterol binds to adrenergic receptors which lead to increased levels of cAMP. Kinases are activated by cAMP, inhibit the phosphorylation of myosin, and decrease intracellular calcium; intracellular calcium relaxes the smooth muscle airways. The nurse should assess the lung sounds, pulse and blood pressure before administering albuterol, and should be aware that nebulized forms of the medication may result in temporary low levels of potassium. Pulmonary function tests should be monitored prior to and during treatment. Mr. Stevens should prime the unit with four sprays before using, and should contact his primary care physician if shortness of breath is not relieved, or it is joined by diaphoresis, palpitations, dizziness, or chest pain. Mr. Stevens should also discard his canister after 200 sprays (Vallerand, 116). QVAR is the brand name for generic beclomethasone. In patients who have previously used a corticosteroid, dosing should not exceed 320 mcg per day, in two divided doses; patients who have not previously

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