Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Treatment
After a diagnosis of COPD is made, the next step is a plan of care for the patient. Primary healthcare providers can reduce further lung damage and COPD exacerbations through early diagnosis, pharmacological, and rehabilitation interventions (Bauldoff, 2012). Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program in which a team of healthcare professionals help manage and treat the problems caused by COPD, resulting in a reduction of symptoms and an improved quality of life. It typically combines exercise, breathing therapy, nutritional counseling, and other forms of patient education or support deemed beneficial by the healthcare team (Ahmed-Sarwar, 2015). Learning how to stay healthy and avoid COPD exacerbations is a top priority. During pulmonary …show more content…
COPD patients often lack proper nutrition. Empowering patients with the tools to increase nutritional intake with fewer carbohydrates and more fats can help them breather easier (Bauldoff, 2015). Engaging in physical activity is a proven way to strengthen the muscles used in breathing and improve overall wellness.
Although no treatment slows the decline in lung function, exacerbations of COPD may contribute to the acceleration of decline in lung function. Through early diagnosis and treatment, the healthcare provider can educate the patient on primary and secondary interventions that can improve disease management (Ackley, 2011).
Medical management for COPD includes smoking cessation, exercise, vaccinations, medications, home oxygen tanks, and antibiotics for infections (Ahmed-Sarwar, 2015). Specific pharmacological treatment for COPD includes bronchodilators, corticosteroids, pneumonia and influenza vaccinations (Bauldoff, …show more content…
This positon allows for increased thoracic capacity, full descent of diaphragm, and increased lung expansion while preventing the abdominal contents from crowding (Ackley, 2011). Continuously monitoring the patients position so they do not slump forward causing the abdomen to compress the diaphragm and limit full lung expansion. Another nursing intervention is to maintain an oxygen administration device as ordered, the goal is to keep the patient at an oxygen saturation level of 90% or greater. It’s imperative to avoid a high concentration of oxygen in patients with COPD because hypoxia stimulates the drive to breathe in patients that constantly retain carbon dioxide, creating an air hunger reaction (Ackley, 2011). It is important to pace the activities and schedule rest periods to prevent fatigue. Activities will increase oxygen consumption and planning the time will help the patient avoid becoming hypoxic. For acute patients, consider the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Providing early intubation is recommended to prevent full decompensation of the patient while mechanical ventilation will maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Also of important note, instructing the patient and family the importance of limiting exposure to persons with respiratory infections (Ackley,
After a diagnosis of COPD is made, the next step is a plan of care for the patient. Primary healthcare providers can reduce further lung damage and COPD exacerbations through early diagnosis, pharmacological, and rehabilitation interventions (Bauldoff, 2012). Pulmonary rehabilitation is a program in which a team of healthcare professionals help manage and treat the problems caused by COPD, resulting in a reduction of symptoms and an improved quality of life. It typically combines exercise, breathing therapy, nutritional counseling, and other forms of patient education or support deemed beneficial by the healthcare team (Ahmed-Sarwar, 2015). Learning how to stay healthy and avoid COPD exacerbations is a top priority. During pulmonary …show more content…
COPD patients often lack proper nutrition. Empowering patients with the tools to increase nutritional intake with fewer carbohydrates and more fats can help them breather easier (Bauldoff, 2015). Engaging in physical activity is a proven way to strengthen the muscles used in breathing and improve overall wellness.
Although no treatment slows the decline in lung function, exacerbations of COPD may contribute to the acceleration of decline in lung function. Through early diagnosis and treatment, the healthcare provider can educate the patient on primary and secondary interventions that can improve disease management (Ackley, 2011).
Medical management for COPD includes smoking cessation, exercise, vaccinations, medications, home oxygen tanks, and antibiotics for infections (Ahmed-Sarwar, 2015). Specific pharmacological treatment for COPD includes bronchodilators, corticosteroids, pneumonia and influenza vaccinations (Bauldoff, …show more content…
This positon allows for increased thoracic capacity, full descent of diaphragm, and increased lung expansion while preventing the abdominal contents from crowding (Ackley, 2011). Continuously monitoring the patients position so they do not slump forward causing the abdomen to compress the diaphragm and limit full lung expansion. Another nursing intervention is to maintain an oxygen administration device as ordered, the goal is to keep the patient at an oxygen saturation level of 90% or greater. It’s imperative to avoid a high concentration of oxygen in patients with COPD because hypoxia stimulates the drive to breathe in patients that constantly retain carbon dioxide, creating an air hunger reaction (Ackley, 2011). It is important to pace the activities and schedule rest periods to prevent fatigue. Activities will increase oxygen consumption and planning the time will help the patient avoid becoming hypoxic. For acute patients, consider the need for intubation and mechanical ventilation. Providing early intubation is recommended to prevent full decompensation of the patient while mechanical ventilation will maintain adequate oxygenation and ventilation. Also of important note, instructing the patient and family the importance of limiting exposure to persons with respiratory infections (Ackley,