COPD Flashcards
Define, mixed airway reversible obstruction and destructive lung disease.
COPD
Which aspect of COPD is potentially reversible?
Asthma component
Which aspects of COPD are irreversible?
Bornchiectasis and emphysema
Define, “the long term condition where the airways of the lungs become widened, leading to a build up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection”
Bronchiectasis
What characterises Bronchiectasis?
A productive cough throughout the winter months, often with sputum which will rapidly turn green, suggesting infection.
what are the 6 main symptoms used to diagnose COPD?
- Cough
- Mucous
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Dyspnoea
- Chest discomfort
What is the primary cause of COPD?
Smoking
What is AAT and why is deficiency in it a risk factor for COPD?
AAT is a protein made in the liver which helps to protect the lungs, if there is deficiency in AAT the lungs are more prone to infection.
What are the two COPD classifications that patients can fall into?
- Pink puffers
- Blue bloaters
what are pink puffers?
Patients with emphysema. Tend to hyperventilate, this often causes them temporary redness on their face.
What are blue bloaters?
Patients with chronic bronchitis. Those who has CO2 retention because of ventilation failure. Tend to present with oedema, sever difficulty breathing and hypoxia. This can result in patients skin and lips having a bluish tint.
what are the three core preventative measures in management of COPD?
- Smoking cessation
- Prevention of flu
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
What drugs could be used to treat acute exacerbation of COPD?
Antibiotics
what is acute exacerbation of COPD?
A sustained worsening of symptoms from a persons stable state
How many types of respiratory failure are there?
2
what is type 1 respiratory failure?
Hypoxia. where there is reduced surface area for gas exchange, thickening of the alveolar mucosal barrier and often patients hyperventilate (pink puffer).
what is type 2 respiratory failure?
Poor ventilation. Where there is CO2 retention and hypoxia, causing the airway to narrow and restrictive lung defects (blue bloaters)
Define, when an individual has too much CO2 in the body
Hypercapnia
At what level of oxygen does respiratory failure occur?
Levels fall below 8.0kPa
What oxygen saturation level would suggest that a patient has poor arterial oxygenation?
<90%
What level of CO2 will result in type 2 respiratory failure?
> 6.7kPa
How great does the reduction in ventilation need to be in order to trigger airway blockage to narrowing, ventilation issues or acute/chronic infections?
20%
what is the main issue when giving oxygen to someone who is relying upon CO2 drive or ventilation?
Tends to reduce their need to breathe
what occurs in home oxygen therapy?
Patient is connected to a device called an oxygen concentrator, this takes oxygen from the atmosphere and boosts its level within the inhaled gas so that the patient can have a higher inspired oxygen level.
How many hours of the day does a patient with COPD need to be on home oxygen therapy, for it to be most effective at prolonging their life span?
24 hours per day
What oral manifestation cam arose from use of inhaled steroids?
Oral candida
After using a steroid inhaler, what advise would you give patient so to maintain their oral hygiene?
Rinse your mouth out so that any powder on surface of oral mucosa is washed away
what piece of equipment can be used to reduce the risk of powder deposition from steroid inhalers in the mouth, therefore reducing risk of local immunosuppression leading to candida?
Use of a spacer
