Nursing Interventions Of Copd

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. It’s most often caused by smoking and long-term breathing in polluted air. COPD can also be caused by breathing in other irritants, including dusts, fumes or gases. The main symptoms are shortness of breath, cough with thick mucus, and wheezing (noisy breathing). COPD patients experience an ongoing cycle of flare-ups and remissions over time. Treatments include bronchodilators, oxygen therapy and surgical operations to open narrowed airways.

Smokers should be encouraged to stop.

Smoking is a risk factor for COPD. In fact, smoking is the number one cause of COPD and can lead to emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Smoking causes damage to cells in the lungs that make it harder to breathe, so even if you’ve been diagnosed with COPD, quitting smoking will help you feel better.

The good news is that most people quit smoking when they are given information about how harmful it is for their health. The bad news? Even after decades of education about the risks associated with tobacco use and public-service campaigns like “Tips From Former Smokers” on YouTube, millions of Americans continue to light up each day—and many patients who already have COPD continue these unhealthy habits as well.

The Centers for Disease Control recommends that people who are unable to quit should cut back as much as possible: no more than 10 cigarettes per day; no smoking at home (or anywhere); smokeless tobacco products instead; or any combination of those options

Educate the patient to avoid smoke exposure.

• Smoking cessation is the most important step in the treatment of COPD.
• Smoking cessation is more successful with support, a plan and medication.
• A patient with COPD who quits smoking will have fewer attacks, less shortness of breath and will live longer than those who continue to smoke.

A patient who has been diagnosed with COPD should talk to their doctor about ways to quit smoking or other tobacco use (such as cigars or hookah).

Identify precipitating factors and preventive measures.

The nurse should conduct a detailed assessment of the patient’s condition to identify any underlying conditions that may be contributing to the development of COPD. For example, respiratory infections should be treated as soon as possible. If there are other co-morbidities such as diabetes or hypertension, these should also be managed in an appropriate manner.

Encourage regular pulmonary exercise programs.

Encourage regular pulmonary exercise programs.

• Exercise is important for COPD patients. It can help them get better, live longer and even reduce symptoms. Not only does it improve their lung function, but it also benefits the heart and muscles as well as the bones of people with COPD.
• The best type of exercise is an aerobic activity that gets your heart rate up to at least 70 percent of your maximum capacity (220 minus your age). The goal should be to increase this number over time by increasing how long you do the activity or how hard you work out when doing it; this will strengthen your body and make you feel better overall. A daily 30-minute walk may not sound like much when compared with other forms of exercise like running or cycling—but walking for 30 minutes five days a week will have incredible benefits for those suffering from COPD!

Monitor the patient’s weight and nutritional status.

Monitor the patient’s weight and nutritional status.

• If a significant weight loss occurs, consider using a feeding tube.
• If the weight loss is not significant, consider working with a dietitian.

Make sure that your patient is getting enough calories to maintain their body weight and nutritional status.

Administer a bronchodilator as ordered.

Administer a bronchodilator as ordered.

• Administer a bronchodilator via oral inhalation or by nebulization (if prescribed).
• If the patient experiences side effects such as dizziness, nausea, or vomiting while taking their medication, contact the doctor immediately.

Consider right-sided heart failure early in the disease course, such as in patients with asthma or emphysema, because it may be reversible if treated promptly and appropriately.

In right-sided heart failure, blood backs up into the veins of the lungs, causing them to distend and become congested. This congestion can lead to lung damage and respiratory complications that are very difficult to treat. Right heart failure associated with COPD is often a consequence of pulmonary hypertension, which is caused by long-standing narrowing in small arteries called arterioles (arterial sclerosis). It can be treated with medications such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) if it occurs early enough in the disease course—usually within three years after diagnosis of COPD.

Right-sided heart failure should be considered early in the course of COPD because it may be reversible if treated promptly and appropriately; however, it can also lead to severe symptoms requiring hospitalization or palliative care services at end stages of this chronic condition.

Nursing interventions are an essential part of managing a chronic illness like COPD

Nursing interventions are an essential part of managing a chronic illness like COPD. Nursing interventions include:

• educating the patient to avoid smoke exposure
• identifying precipitating factors and preventive measures
• encouraging regular pulmonary exercise programs

COPD is a chronic illness that can be managed with the right interventions. The nurses in your hospital should understand the basic nursing interventions for COPD and know how to implement them.

So, what do you think about our list of nursing interventions for COPD? Let us know by commenting below!