COPD acute exacerbation Flashcards
1
Q
What are the features of an acute exacerbation?
A
Increased dyspnoea, cough, wheeze
Increased sputum - productive cause
Hypoxia, acute confusion
2
Q
What bacterial organisms most commonly cause infective exacerbations?
A
H. influenza (most common)
S. Pneumoniae
Moraxella catarrhalis
3
Q
Which viral organism most commonly causes an exacerbation?
A
Rhinovirus
4
Q
Which is more common, a viral or bacterial exacerbation?
A
Bacterial
5
Q
How do you MX an acute exacerbation?
A
Increase frequency of bronchodilator use and consider giving a neb
Give pred 30mg daily for 5 days
Give PO abx if
- purulent sputum OR
- clinical signs of pneumonia
- 1st line: amox/ clarithro/ doxy
