Question

Part B

A 54-year-old comes to your office with a 30-year history of tobacco use. There is an increase in cough of late, with copious productive white clear sputum. The patient relays shortness of breath at work and with walking around the house. During the exam, the patient leans forward to talk and also states that sleeping flat has become uncomfortable. You suspect COPD.

1. Describe the physiology of COPD.
2. Using COPD guidelines, describe your pharmacological treatment with rationale.
3. What considerations regarding socioeconomics, drug profiles, and management must you make?
4. Describe a teaching plan that includes lifestyle and prescription considerations.

Answer 1

physiology of COPD; can occur as aresult of incresed airway resistance secondary to brochial mucosal dema or smooth muscle contraction. it may also be aresult of decreased elastic recoil,as seen in emphysema.