Communications skills Flashcards
explaining what is COPD
“Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD is a common condition affecting your lungs, making it harder for you to breathe. It includes conditions such as emphysema and chronic bronchitis.”
“In COPD, there is inflammation in the lungs (chronic bronchitis), which causes narrowing of the small tubes in your lungs. This makes it more difficult to breathe. In addition, the inflammation causes your lungs to produce lots of mucous, which you cough up as phlegm.” - also not fact that harder for air to enter ans stale air to leave = inc risk of lung infections
“Also, in COPD, the walls of air sacs in the lungs called alveoli are destroyed (emphysema) . This makes it harder for your body to absorb oxygen from the air in the lungs.”
Explaining the causes of COPD
“COPD is caused by long-term exposure to harmful irritants that damage the lungs over time.”
“The most common cause of COPD is smoking. This risk increases the more you smoke and the longer you’ve been smoking.”
“Some other things that cause COPD include breathing in chemical fumes, air pollution or rarely an inherited genetic condition.”
explaining problems/complications of COPD
Explain to patients that COPD develops over several years and their symptoms may not be noticeable until recently. These symptoms worsen over time and make their activities of daily living more difficult, however, treatment can help slow the progression of COPD.
common sx
breathlessness and wheeze
chronic cough
chest infections
also infections and excerbations
management of COPD
STOP SMOKING
Vaccines
pul.rehab - excercise and education
inhalers
steroids and abx in exacerbation
oxygen therapy if chronic low o2 (aim to improve breathing and extend life)
closing consultation
discussed a lot today ie sx might experience and how condition is managed so heres leaflet
safety net - sx worse, v SOB w tx = seek care
anything youd like me to go over ?
any other qs?
direct to further websites and leaflets
explaining a disease
normal functioning
what disease is
cause
problems/complications
management
Informations sharing structure
brief hx
understanding
concerns
explanation
summarise
brief hx ws
what has brought the patient in to see you today
what are ur sx
any risk factors/ worse or better
understaning qs
what do you think is causing your sx
what do you know about x
what has been explained to you about acne so far
Concerns
what are you worried about regarding your sx
what are you hoping to get out of the consultation today
acne explaining nromal what it is and cause
skin is like barrier w sebum to protect in acne = too much sebum = spots
can be caused by hormones, bacteria, meds like steroids and glands blocked bc make up
acne problems/ complications
Sometimes once the spots have healed you can be left with scarring on the skin or changes to the normal colour of the skin. This is why it’s important to try and treat acne well. But if you do develop these problems there are potential treatments available.”
“Acne can also often make people feel self-conscious or worried about their appearance. If this is happening to you then it’s really important that you talk to someone about it.”
acne explain mx
topical tx:
- creams the counter salicylic acis and benzoyl peroxide to unblock and get rid of bact
moderate = topical retinoid - reduces sebum but can dry skin
if those dont work book another apt and we can see = other options oral COCP and Abx
problems/ complications of psoriasis
persistent disease and sx
anxiety and depression bc psychosocial burden of the disease
reduced quality of life
development of asx conditions eg psoriatic arthritis
severe flare - pustular blisters or painful itchy rashes
management of psoriasis
emollients; ointments, cream, gel
(different types so pick what works best ie trial and error)
topical corticosteriouds dont use on face and wash hands
if not succesful other options
top - tar prep. calcipotrol (vit Danalogue)
systemic - MTX or retinoid
phototherapy
