COPD Flashcards
Emphysema
characterized by the irreversible damage to the air sacs in the lungs, leading to their enlargement and reduced elasticity thus making exhalation difficult
Chronic Bronchitis
a persistent inflammation of the bronchial tubes, which carry air to and from the lungs
Effects of smoking on COPD
Most common cause
- Stimulates sympathetic nervous system: HR, BP (vasoconstriction), increase in cardiac workload
- Nicotine: decreases amount of functional HgB, increase platelet aggregation, and further complicates coronary artery disease
Bullae
air spaces in the parenchyma
Take away gas exchange site – takes away functional tissue
Blebs
air spaces adjacent to parenchyma
Take away gas exchange site – takes away functional tissue
Clinical Manifestations of COPD
- Dyspnea
- Chest breathing
- Respiratory Acidosis
- Prolonged expiratory phase
- Wheeze
- Decreased breath sounds
- Bluish-red color of skin
- Underweight
- Fatigue
5 Complications of COPD
- Cor Pulmonale
- Exacerbations
- Acute Respiratory Failure
- Peptic Ulcer Disease
- Depression Anxiety
Explain pathophysiology of cor pulmonale
- hypoxia, acidosis, and hypecapnia are present in COPD
- this leads to polycythemia (increasing blood’s viscosity) and pulmonary vasoconstriction
- this causes pulmonary hypertension, making it difficult for the RV to pump blood through the pulmonary system
- this leads to RV hypertrophy and this RS HF
Define COPD Exacerbation
A sustained worsening of dyspnea, cough or sputum production leading to an increase in the use of maintenance medications and/ or supplementation with additional medications.
What are the signals that someone is experiencing a COPD exacerbation?
Change in usual
- dyspnea
-cough
-sputum
What triggers a COPD exacerbation?
Mainly infection !!
also pollutants
How are COPD exacerbations further classified?
Purulent vs non purulent
What causes acute respiratory failure?
- Caused by
- Exacerbations
- Cor pulmonale
- Discontinuing/changes to bronchodilator or corticosteroid medicatio
What confirms COPD diagnosis?
PFT
FEV 1
Measurement used in PFT
volume of air blown out as hard and fast as possible during the first second of the most forceful exhalation after the greatest full inhalation