COPD

Question 1

acute exacerbation of COPD infective causes

Answer 1

bacteria
Haemophilus influenzae (most common cause)
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Moraxella catarrhalis
respiratory viruses
account for around 30% of exacerbations
human rhinovirus is the most important pathogen

Question 2

features of acute exacerbation of COPD

Answer 2

increase in dyspnoea, cough, wheeze
there may be an increase in sputum suggestive of an infective cause
patients may be hypoxic and in some cases have acute confusion

Question 3

management

Answer 3

nebulised bronchodilator
pred 30mg 5 days
for severe
o2 therapy - 88-92% target, venturi mask at 4l/min
abg
adjust o2 target to 94-98% if pCO2 is normal