CR- COPD Flashcards
(18 cards)
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
COPD is an umbrella term for several conditions affecting airflow.
What are the main components of COPD management?
Education, medication, and exercise
Effective management includes understanding the condition and its treatment options.
Why is early diagnosis important in COPD?
Key to effective management
Early intervention can slow disease progression and improve quality of life.
What impact can physiotherapy have on COPD patients?
Physiotherapy can help improve lung function and overall health.
What is the primary cause of COPD?
Cigarette smoking (90% of cases)
Significant smoking history is defined as 20 pack years or more.
What is emphysema?
A condition where the alveoli of the lungs become inflamed and lose elasticity
This leads to over-expansion and difficulty in breathing.
What are common symptoms of asthma?
Breathlessness, wheeze, tightness in the chest
Asthma can cause episodic airway obstruction.
How can asthma be characterized?
Episodic increase in airway obstruction, reversible
It can become chronic with some fixed airway damage.
List some clinical signs of COPD diagnosis.
- Breathlessness on exertion
- Cough
- Increased sputum
- Risk factors
- Rule out other causes
Diagnosis may also involve spirometry and chest x-ray.
What are the classifications of COPD based on spirometry results?
Early, moderate, and severe disease
Each classification reflects the severity of symptoms and lung function.
What is bronchitis?
A chronic disease of the lungs where the bronchi become inflamed
Inflammation leads to increased mucus production and narrowed airways.
What is the role of cilia in the airways?
Cilia move mucus along the airways to trap dust and bacteria
This is crucial for normal airway clearance.
What can smoking do to the cilia?
Paralyze the cilia
This leads to mucus buildup and increased risk of infection.
What does pulmonary rehabilitation include?
- Exercise
- Education
- Self-management
- Diet
- Lifestyle modifications
This approach helps reduce admissions and improves recovery time.
True or False: COPD is fully reversible.
False
COPD is characterized by progressive airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible.
Fill in the blank: COPD is a spectrum that includes chronic __________, emphysema, and chronic asthma.
bronchitis
These conditions fall under the COPD umbrella.
What is the significance of A1AT deficiency in COPD?
It is one of the causes of COPD
Alpha-1 Antitrypsin deficiency can lead to lung damage and emphysema.
What is the effect of excess mucus in COPD?
Mucus becomes thicker and stickier, leading to infections
This is compounded by impaired ciliary function.
