Goals:
Smoking produces excess mucus and further
Appropriate change of vital signs
within one hour of performing
physical activity, as this will show that
symptoms of COPD have been
managed and are under control.
Complete smoking cessation within
one month, as this will help decrease
further damage and destruction to
lung tissue, and prevent further vessel
constriction and COPD complications,
which will help promote effective
breathing.
Correct demonstration of medication
administration to manage acute
episodes of COPD, by the end of the
teaching session, as medication will
help open airways and improve
airflow. Correct demonstration will
show an appropriate understanding of
when and how to use medication to
control symptoms.
Proper demonstration of pursed-lip
breathing and huff coughing, by the
end of the teaching session, as this will
help clear mucus secretions and
display a proper understanding of the
technique.
Factors Preventing Control:
constricts the airways. Smoking is the biggest
factor that is involved in preventing control of
COPD. Environmental factors, such as smoke,
pollen, and smog are all irritants that exacerbate
COPD symptoms. Therefore, time spent
outdoors is a major factor that prevents control
of COPD. Exercise is very important, but when
it is done in excess, or not in a safe manner, it
may prevent control of COPD symptoms.
Exercise further constricts the airways in the
lungs, therefore, it is important that exercise is
performed at appropriate times, such as after a
rest period (Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, &
Harding, 2017). Control over these factors may
seem difficult, or even impossible, but with
time, they are achievable.
References
Jarvis, C. (2016). Physical Examination
& Health Assessment, 7th Edition. St.
Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Chronic
Lewis, S. L., Bucher, L., Heitkemper,
M. M., & Harding, M. M. (2017).
Obstructive
Medical-Surgical Nursing: Assessment
and Management of Clinical Problems,
Pulmonary
10th Edition. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.
Yoost, B. L., & Crawford, L. R. (2016).
Disease
Fundamentals of Nursing. St. Louis,
MO: Elsevier.
Melissa Winn
What causes COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD) occurs when the
airways and pulmonary blood vessels
become inflamed. This obstruction is
caused by the increased mucus
secretions and spasms of the bronchial
muscles, which creates constriction
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, &
Harding, 2017). This constriction leads
to difficulty in breathing.
Impact on You and Your Family
As symptoms progress, they may
interfere with daily living. As patients
experience difficulty breathing, they
may avoid activities, such as walking
up stairs or carrying groceries. This
impacts the patient’s family, because
often times they can not walk as fast or
keep up with friends and family. Often
times a cough is present, which may
disturb the patient and family (Lewis,
Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
COPD patients are unable to deliver
oxygen to their organs and tissues
effectively, because of this, they may
experience fatigue throughout the day.
However, patient’s may also have
difficulty lying flat on their back (Yoost
& Crawford, 2016). This results in
difficulty achieving restful sleep.
What Puts You at Risk?
 Cigarette Smoking
 Occupational Chemicals and
Dust
 Air Pollution
 Infection
 Gender
 Aging
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding,
2017)
Frequency of Disease:
About 12.7 million adults living in the
United States that are over the age of
18 have COPD.
COPD affects 15% of individuals that
smoke.
The third leading cause of death within
the United States is COPD. More than
133,000 Americans die each year from
COPD.
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, &
Harding, 2017)
Controlling the Disease:
There are many ways to control COPD, one of
which is to quit smoking. The smoke that is
created by cigarettes irritates the cells in the
lungs and creates excess mucus. The sooner you
quit smoking, the sooner the cough and excess
mucus production will decrease. (Lewis,
Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017). There
are many alternatives available, such as a
nicotine patch that aid in smoking cessation.
Medication may be given as needed or on a
schedule and can help control symptoms and
decrease the intensity of exacerbations.
Bronchodilators relax the smooth muscles in the
lungs (Jarvis, 2016). This relaxation helps
improve airflow and effective breathing.
Breath retraining is beneficial in managing
COPD symptoms. Pursed-lip breathing extends
the time of exhalation, which helps prevent air
trapping. This technique provides control when
breathing becomes labored (Lewis, Bucher,
Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017). This technique
is simple and can be done anywhere.
It is important that excess mucus is cleared in
patients with COPD. Huff coughing is effective
in separating the mucus from the walls of the
lungs, in order to be coughed out (Lewis,
Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
Effective coughing helps clear excess mucus.
Outdoor conditions such as smoke exacerbate
symptoms of COPD. A simple face mask may
be worn when going outside, as this is effective
in decreasing exposure to outdoor air pollution
(Lewis, Bucher, Heitkemper, & Harding, 2017).
Preventing exposure to irritants helps prevent
further complications and symptoms.