How would you manage acute breathlessness in a person with COPD
ABCDE approach to assessment
salbutamol 2 puffs via spacer
oxygen to maintain sats 88-92
may need to hospitalise
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how is COPD different to asthma
-irreversible airway obstruction
-chronic cough is common
-persistent and progressive breathlessness over time
- aetiology is usually inhalation of toxins (smoking, air pollution)
15 of 16
COPD dental aspects
• Same as for asthma re inhaled therapy side effects
• Very breathless patients may find lysing flat unpleasant and prefer to be more upright for treatment
- more need to cough
16 of 16
Other cards in this set
Card 2
Front
what are the symptoms?
Back
• Breathlessness= o2 can’t get into blood and co2 out. Ventilation problem. Link to exertion
• Wheeze due to obstruction
Consistent
• Chronic cough and sputum production
• Frequent infections (stagnant mucous
Card 3
Front
what is the forced respiratory volume in 1 second/ forced vital capacity ratio for people with COPD?
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