COPD

Causes of COPD

Smoking

Pollution

Inhalation of chemicals, dust, or harmful fumes

Complications of COPD

Respiratory infections

Cardiac Problems

Pneumothorax

Pathophysiology of COPD

Abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs

Assessments for COPD

Labs/X-rays needed

Treatments for COPD

Medications for COPD

Bronchodilators

Steroids

Inhailers

Leads to obstructed airflow through the lungs

Loss of elastic recoil

O2 therapy

Surgery (if severe)

Quit smoking

Auscultate lung sounds

Continuous pulse ox

Head to toe with focus on history

Chest X-ray

Arterial blood gas

Lung functional test