Clinical Features of COPD Flashcards
COPD is a chronic, slowly progressive disorder characterised by
airflow obstruction
COPD does not change markedly over
several months
In COPD, most of the lung function impairment is
fixed
Obstruction in the airways in COPD occurs due to
small airway-narrowing
Obstruction of the airways in COPD can be worsened by
inflammation and mucous
Are chronic bronchitis and emphysema indicative of COPD?
No
Is asthma a cause of COPD?
No - increases likelihood of developing COPD but is not a cause
Give a major cause of COPD
Smoking
Other than smoking, what are the common causes of COPD?
- passive smoking
- maternal smoking
- air pollution
- occupational
What is a rare cause of COPD?
alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency
What is the function of alpha-1-antitrypsin?
Neutralises enzymes released by neutrophils
Why does maternal smoking increase the likelihood of the baby developing COPD?
Causes the baby to be born with small lungs and reduced lung function from the start of life, therefore more likely to develop COPD
In susceptible smokers with COPD, stopping smoking will not restore the lost FEV1 but it may
revert the subsequent rate of loss to normal
What procedure could help to prevent severe or fatal COPD if individuals with reduced lung function could stop smoking?
Screening smokers lung function in early middle age
What is the progression of symptoms of COPD?
Symptoms are insidious and gradually worsen over years
In diagnosing COPD, what features should be confirmed about breathlessness experienced by the patient?
Gradual onset and little variation of breathlessness
In diagnosis COPD, what features of cough and sputum should be present?
- Long history of “smokers cough”
- clear/mucoid sputum
- cough persistent at all times of the year
A patient with COPD will typically produce a wheeze when?
On exertion
What symptoms indicate severe COPD?
- Weight loss
- Peripheral oedema
In smokers, what information is important to acquire when making a diagnosis?
Cigarettes smoked per day, pack years
What childhood condition increases the likelihood of developing COPD?
Asthma
What muscles might be used during breathing by COPD patients?
Accessory respiratory muscles
What symptom is a sign of CO2 retention and may also be a sign of COPD?
Flapping tremor
A patient with very severe COPD would have an FEV1 value of what?
FEV1
What symptoms would a patient with moderate COPD have?
- Cough
- SOBOE moderate exertion
- FEV1 50-79%
What test method would be used to demonstrate fixed airflow obstruction when investigating possible COPD?
Spirometry
What treatment when taken long term can improve COPD symptoms?
Long term bronchodilator
Steroid inhalation
Significant bronchodilator/steroid response indicates what condition, rather than COPD?
Asthma
What might show up on a chest radiograph which could be useful in diagnosing COPD?
- Hyperinflated lung fields
- Flattened diaphragms
- Lucent lung fields
- Bullae
What investigatory test would show patients who were chronically hypoxic?
Full blood count
Acute exacerbations of COPD are usually precipitated by viral/bacterial infections but another cause may be
- sedative drugs
- pneumothorax
- trauma
Acute exacerbation of COPD will increase what symptoms?
- cough
- sputum production
- sputum purulence
