COPD Flashcards
what does COPD stand for?
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
what is COPD?
a mixture of lung conditions including bronchitis and emphysema
what is meant by Bronchiectasis?
disease of the airway with recurring damage to the airway caused by chronic infection
what is bronchiectasis characterised by?
by a productive cough throughout certain months
what does green sputum indicate?
presence of infection
what occurs when mucus levels increase in the lungs?
reduced airway diameter
what is emphysema?
destruction of alveoli
what occurs during emphysema?
destruction of alveoli causes dilation of some other alveoli to ‘fill space’
what are common COPD symptoms?
- chronic cough
- production of mucous
- fatigue
- shortness of breath
- dyspnea
- chest discomfort
what are some causes of COPD?
- smoking
- pollution
- AAT gene deficiency
- chronic bronchitis
- asthma
- age
what are some complications of COPD?
- heart failure
- frailty
- depression
- pneumonia
- acute respiratory distress syndrome
what are some ways of managing COPD?
- smoking cessation
- long acting bronchodilator
- inhaled steroids
- oxygen support (if there is a failure of respiratory system)
what can COPD progress to?
respiratory failure
what are the types of respiratory failure?
- type one
- type two
what is type one respiratory failure?
hypoxia caused by damage of the lung tissue
explain oxygen and CO2 levels in a patient with type 1 respiratory failure?
- low oxygen
- normal CO2 levels
what is commonly seen in those with type one respiratory failure?
hyperventilation
what is type 2 respiratory failure?
CO2 and hypoxia due to poor ventilation
when should oxygen be used in COPD patients?
in the acute stage if the patient is hypoxic, only use until medial help arises
what dental problem can inhaled steroids increase the risk of? and how can this be prevented?
candida risk!!!
- prevented by rinsing mouth after device use
- use a SPACER device for MDI puffers
