Management of COPD Flashcards
Which lung diseases fall into the category of COPD?
- Emphysema
2. Chronic Bronchitis
Criteria for chronic bronchitis
Cough and lots of sputum production for at least 3 months within 2 consecutive years
Description of patients with emphysema vs. chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema: Pink Puffers
-excess oxygen makes blood pink causing facial flushing (pinkish coloration) and obviously labored breathing (puffing).
CB: blue bloaters
-cyanosis causes blue color and lack of activity causes weight gain
Main cell type that causes damage in COPD.
Neutrophils
eosinophils cause damage in asthma
What are some structural changes that occur in COPD?
Mucous gland and goblet cell hyperplasia (permanent)
Fibrosis and destruction of alveolar walls
Pulmonary HTN or cor Pulmonale
What cellular function is compromised or absent in COPD?
Ciliary elevator
-loss of beat frequency
What does the FEV-1% predicted values tell us in Spirometric Classification of COPD?
Severity of the COPD
What are the specific FEV-1% values for the 4 classes of COPD?
Mild COPD: greater than 80%
Moderate COPD: 50-80%
Severe COPD: 30-50%
Very Severe: less than 30%
Treatment strategy for COPD.
Use what works.
No medications have modified the rate of decline of lung function in COPD patients
Tx for Mild COPD
Flu Vaccine
Short-Acting Bronchodilator
Tx for Moderate COPD
Flu Vaccine
Short-Acting Bronchodilator
Long-Acting Bronchodilator (when needed)
Tx for Severe COPD
Flu Vaccine
Short-Acting Bronchodilator
Long-Acting Bronchodilator (when needed)
Inhaled corticosteroids if repeated exacerbations
Tx for very severe COPD
Flu Vaccine
Short-Acting Bronchodilator
Long-Acting Bronchodilator (when needed)
Inhaled corticosteroids if repeated exacerbations
Long term oxygen or surgical correction if in respiratory failure
