COPD & Lung Cancer Flashcards
(35 cards)
What is COPD?
progressive, irreversible lung disease characterized by airflow limitation and inflammation in the lungs
What conditions are included in COPD?
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Emphysema
- Refractory Asthma
What is the most common cause of COPD?
long-term exposure to irritating gases, esp cigarette smoke
T/F: COPD is NOT one of the leading causes of death worldwide
FALSE
What is Emphysema?
lung condition characterized by alveolar destruction
What is Chronic Bronchitis?
lung condition characterized by which the bronchioles are narrowed and blocked with mucous
What is ACOS? Describe it
Asthma COPD Overlap Syndrome
- more complex to manage
- exhibits features of both asthma and COPD
- characterized by persistent airflow limitation, frequent exacerbations, and a mix of clinical and inflammatory features
What does the management of ACOS involve?
involves bronchodilators, inhaled corticosteroids, and (in some cases) long-acting bronchodilators
What are the risk factors for COPD?
- smoking
- environmental pollutants
- Alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency (genetic)
- recurrent respiratory infections
- aging
What are the clinical manifestations for COPD?
- chronic cough
- sputum production
- dyspnea (initially on exertion, then at rest)
- wheezing
- barrel chest (emphysema)
- clubbed fingers (chronic bronchitis)
- cyanosis (chronic bronchitis)
- pursed-lip breathing (emphysema)
- use of accessory muscles
- weight loss (emphysema)
- fatigue
What is the Nursing Assessment for COPD?
- Physical: breath sounds, RR, O2 sat
- Vital signs
- LOC
- Activity tolerance
- Nutritional status
- Psychosocial factors
- Evaluate use of accessory muscles & pursed-lip breathing
- Observe for signs of infection
- Medication adherence
What Lab tests do you need for diagnosis of COPD?
- ABG (chronic respiratory acidosis)
- CBC
- Alpha1 Antitrypsin level
What diagnostics are needed for COPD?
- History & Physical
- Lab tests
- Sputum culture (rule out infection)
- 6 minute walk test
- Spirometry (Pulmonary Function Test - decreased FEV1/FVC ratio <70%)
- CXR
- CT scan
What is the gold standard for diagnosing COPD?
Spirometry
- Pulmonary Function Test to measure lung function
- Non invasive
- Helps differentiates between COPD and asthma
Describe what Spirometry is.
a pulmonary function test that measures how much air a person can inhale and exhale and how quickly they can do it
What is FEV1?
Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second
What is a positive Spirometry test?
- decreased FEV1
- decreased FEV1/FVC (<70%)
- not fully reversible for bronchodilators
The severity of COPD is classified based on what?
FEV1
What are the possible complications of COPD?
- acute exacerbation
- chronic hypoxemia
- ACOS
- Cor Pulmonale (right sided- HF)
- Respiratory infections (pneumonia)
- pneumothorax
- depression/anxiety
- malnutrition
- O2 toxicity
- CO2 retention
- Respiratory failure
What are some reportable symptoms of COPD? (7)
- low saturation
- increased RR
- breathlessness with speech
- inability to complete meal
- fatigue/lethargy
- cyanosis of the lips and/or extremities
- loss of consciousness
What is Oxygen Toxicity?
happens when high concentrations of O2 are delivered over prolonged periods, causing cellular and tissue damage - esp in the lungs and central nervous system
What are the key signs of Oxygen Toxicity? (5)
- substernal chest pain
- cough, worsening dyspnea
- tracheal irritation
- crackles or pulmonary edema (in severe cases)
- seizures or ARDS (in extreme cases)
In patients with COPD, oxygen toxicity can lead to dangerous complications, including _____, or the buildup of CO2 in the blood.
hypercapnia
Excess oxygen (oxygen toxicity) can manifest into… (3)
drowsiness, confusion , and even death
