COPD Flashcards
1
Q
How do you treat Mild/Moderate COPD?
A
- Follow patient’s action plan.
- Administer bronchodilators (5mg salbutamol, 0.5mg ipratropium)
- Administer oral steroid (40mg prednisone)
- Administer further salbutamol if required.
- Consider non-transport if patient improves with MDI and only no bronchodilators are used (EMT only).
2
Q
How do you treat Severe COPD?
A
- Administer bronchodilators (5mg salbutamol, 0.5mg ipratropium).
- Administer oral steroid if patient can swallow, but it is not a priority (40mg predisone).
- Administer further salbutamol if required.
- Transport without delay, LATER.
3
Q
What is COPD?
A
Term to describe chronic inflammatory and destructive diseases within the lung. It is not completely reversible.
4
Q
What are the signs of mild/moderate COPD?
A
SOB, Speaking in sentences. Usually has a wheeze. Usually has some neck/chest indrawing. Near normal SpO2. Normal LOC.
5
Q
What are the signs of severe COPD?
A
Very SOB. Few words per breath. May not have a wheeze. Severe neck/chest indrawing. Tripod position. Lower than normal SpO2. Agitation.
6
Q
What are the signs of life threatening COPD?
A
Extreme SOB. Unable to speak. May not have a wheeze. May not have chest/neck indrawing. SpO2 rapidly falling. Severe agitation or lowered LOC.
7
Q
How do you treat life threatening COPD?
A
- Call ICP backup for adrenaline IV.
* Administer bronchodilators.
8
Q
How do you differentiate COPD from Asthma?
A
- Asthma patients are symptom free btween attacks.
* Patients with COPD usually have history of smoking.
9
Q
How do you differentiate COPD from Cardiogenic Pulmonary Oedema?
A
- CPO is likely if patient has been supine and wheeze is worse bilaterally in lower zones.
- COPD is likely if there is productive cough and wheeze is heard evenly throughout all lungs] fields.
- Patients with COPD and CPO can sometimes tell you which condition is causing SOB.
