Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM


Top Flashcards (Certified)
All Flashcards

Med-Surg 2 > COPD > Flashcards

COPD Flashcards

(49 cards)

Start Studying
1
Q

What are some obstructive airway diseases ?

A
  • asthma
  • cystic fibrosis
  • COPD
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

What is COPD ?

A

progressive lung disease characterized by persistent airflow limitation
- associated with chronic inflammatory response in lungs and airway

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What can cause COPD ?

A
  • primarily caused by cigarette smoking and other particles and gas
  • may have genetic deficiency of alpha-1 antitrypsin (A1AD)
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

What is chronic bronchitis ?

A

the presence of cough and sputum production for at least 3 months in each of two consecutive years

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What is emphysema ?

A

loss of lung elasticity and hyperinflation of lung tissue
- causes the destruction of alveoli

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What other conditions are included within a COPD diagnosis ?

A

chronic bronchitis & emphysema

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What is the pathophysiology of COPD ?

A

chronic inflammation of airways, lung parenchyma and pulmonary blood vessels which leads to increased mucus production and a structural change in the lungs leading to airway constriction

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What is the defining feature of COPD

A

airflow limitation during forced exhalation
- inability to expire air
- the air becomes trapped so the pt’s is having to inhale when the lungs are already in a “over-inflated” state

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What is bullae and blebs ?

A
  • Bullae: large air spaces
  • Blebs: air spaces next to pleurae
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

What does having COPD lead to ?

A
  • airflow limitations
  • air trapping
  • poor gas exchange
  • wall of alveoli destroyed
  • formation or bullae and blebs
  • will eventually lead to hypoxia and retained CO2
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What are some clinical manifestations of COPD ?

A
  • chronic intermittent cough
  • wheezing on auscultation, in late stages may be more diminished
  • barrel chested and purse lipped
  • clubbing and polycythemia vera
  • fatigue and decrease activity tolerance
  • use of accessory muscles to breathe
  • prolonged expiratory phase
  • thin in appearance
  • cor pulmonale
  • hypercapnia
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

What are some diagnostic studies ?

A
  • history and physical: smoking history and functional ability
  • chest x-ray
  • O2 sats: with COPD normal is usually 88-92%
  • 6-minute walk index
  • COPD assessment test (CAT)
  • pulmonary function test
  • ABGs
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does a pulmonary function test measure ?

A

tests FEV1 (forced expiratory volumes) calculates the amount of air that a person can force out of their lungs in 1 sec

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What is the primary cause of COPD exacerbations ?

A

bacterial and viral infections

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What are some S&S of a COPD exacerbation ?

A
  • increased wheezing
  • acute change in usual patterns of dyspnea, cough, or sputum
  • malaise, fatigue, confusion, depression, anxiety
  • severe: accessory muscle use, central cyanosis, altered LOC, edema in lower extremities/signs of rt sided HF, unstable BP
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What can happen if someone has a severe COPD exacerbation ?

A
  • acute respiratory failure
  • need to be intubated
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What is the first complications of COPD ?

A

pulmonary hypertension

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

What causes pulmonary hypertension ?

A
  • alveolar hypoxia causes constriction of pulmonary vessels
  • chronic hypoxia stimulates RBC production which causes polycythemia which increases the viscosity of blood
  • this leads to increased pulmonary vascular resistance which causes the pulmonary hypertension
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What causes Cor Pulmonae ?

A

pulmonary hypertension pressure increases within the lungs
- the pressures on the Rt side of the heart must increase to push blood into the lungs
- leads to S&S of Rt sided HF
- late manifestation, worse prognosis, may need to be on palliative care

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
20
Q

How do bronchodilators help with COPD ?

Study These Flashcards
A

opens up the airways

21
Q

How do anticholinergic bronchodilators help with COPD ?

Study These Flashcards
A

relax muscles around bronchi to bronchodilate

22
Q

How do steroids help with COPD ?

Study These Flashcards
A

reduce inflammation
- prednisone/prednisolone

23
Q

How do antibiotics help with COPD ?

Study These Flashcards
A

will treat the bacterial infection if there is one
- test sputum to find the bacteria

24
Q

What is a bullectomy ?

Study These Flashcards
A

removal of large air spaces to improve lung function
- thru a thorascope

25
What is a lung volume reduction surgery ?
removed diseased lung to improve performance of remaining tissue - thru thorocotomy/bronch
26
What are some surgical treatments for COPD ?
- bullectomy - lung transplant - lung volume reduction
27
What do we want the O2 sat for a COPD pt to be like ?
88-92% - higher can cause O2 toxicity and CO2 narcosis
28
How does oxygen therapy help with COPD ?
- long-term therapy improves prognosis, mental acuity, mental health and exercise intolerance - helps reduce polycythemia vera, pulmonary HTN, and cor pulmonale - do not titrate O2 with MD orders
29
What breathing technique is good for a COPD pt ?
pursed-lip breathing - prevents bronchial collapse and can decrease dyspnea and anxiety - slows breathing, makes each breath more effective - great when exercising
30
How do you do pursed-lip breathing ?
- inhale through nose 1-2 secs - exhale through pursed lips 4 secs
31
What are some airway clearance techniques ?
- chest physiotherapy: postural drainage & percussion - positive expiratory pressure device: inhale and exhale thru the device and when exhaling a vibration is created when can loosen secretions (acapella or aerobika) - huff coughing: helps loosen mucus and move it thru the airways before coughing it up (avoids narrowing or collapse)
32
How does the tripod position help with COPD ?
- helps maximize air exchange - helps diaphragm move downward to increase volume in chest cavity - forces the lung to expand
33
What do we teach about energy conservation for a pt with COPD ?
- encourage exercises like walking and strength training to improve upper muscle function - balance tolerance with benefit (will be SOB but if it takes more than 5 mins to return to baseline then reduce activity) - can take bronchodilator before exercise - pulmonary rehab can build up strength and endurance
34
What is some nutritional education ?
- eat high calorie, high protein, low carb diets - smaller more frequent meals (3-5 every day) - increase fluid intake if tolerated to keep secretions thin (unless in cor pulmonale) - too many carbs can lead pt to acidemia
35
What is some psychological therapy for someone with COPD ?
- anxiety from COPD can be taught relaxation techniques - benzos and opiates shouldn't be used due to sedative effects
36
What is some health promotion for someone with COPD ?
- smoking cessation would decrease COPD incidences dramatically - elimination of exposure to irritants in environment - early diagnosis and tx of respiratory illnesses - immunizations for flu, pneumococcal, pneumonia, RSV, COVID
37
What is hypercapnia ?
build up of CO2 in the blood
38
What O2 mask should we give to a pt with hypercapnia ?
venturi facemask - 24 or 28% O2 - we want to maintain the SpO2 >90% - without hypercapnia we will titrate O2 upwards
39
What is the arterial blood gas for a COPD patient usually ?
compensated respiratory acidosis
40
What are some bronchodilators used for COPD ?
- short acting beta adrenergic agonist: albuterol - inhaled long acting: salmeterol/formoterol
41
What are some anticholinergic bronchodilators ?
administered via inhalation - short acting: ipratropium (Atrovent) - long acting: tiotropium bromide (Spiriva) - often in hospital use nebulizer tx of iprotromium+albuterol (DuoNeb)
42
What are some antibiotics that may be given ?
- amoxicillin - azithromycin - doxycycline
43
What are some considerations for use of B2 adrenergic agonist (bronchodilators) ?
- most effective for bronchospasms, promotes bronchodilation, and suppresses the histamine release in the lungs - S&S: tachycardia, anxiety, jitteriness, tremors - short acting used for emergencies or acute exacerbations
44
What are some considerations for use of anticholinergic bronchodilators ?
- cause bronchodilation, and approved to treat COPD - S&S: dry mouth (suck on hard candies to help), and hoarseness - tiotropium has longer duration and can be given less often
45
What are some considerations for use of anti-inflammatory corticosteroids ?
- most effective anti-asthmatic med - suppresses inflammation & decreases bronchial hyperactivity - S&S: thrush, increased glucose - usually inhaled but can be PO or IV (inhaled has less SE) - PO & IV: increase appetite and mood swings - rinse out mouth after admin to avoid thrush
46
What are leukotriene modifiers used for ?
- effective for add on therapy with (not replace) inhaled corticosteroids - interferes with synthesis or block action of leukotrienes - Ex.) Montelukast (singulair)
47
What are some considerations for use of leukotriene modifiers ?
- S&S: HA, dizziness, nausea, fatigue, abd pain, bronchospasms, GI distress - not for use in acute asthma - used mainly as maintenance and prophylactic therapy
48
What are examples of corticosteroids ?
- inhaled: flovent - PO: prednisone - IV: solumedrol (methylprednisolone), decadron
49
What are the classifications for COPD ?
- Gold 1 (mild): FEV1 > 80% - Gold 2 (moderate): FEV1: 50-80% - Gold 3 (severe): 30-50% - Gold 4 (very severe): < 30%

Med-Surg 2 (22 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions