Introduction
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a type of progressive lung disease that is diagnosed mainly due to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which impair airflow. Cough-related sickness demonstrated in the case of William Collins is worsening of his COPD symptoms such as a larger attack of breathlessness. COPD frequently causes inflammation, mucus hypersecretion, and structural changes in the airways and the lungs that lead to obstruction in the airflow out of the lungs. This continuous inflammation and the compression of the passageways towards the lungs are the factors that cause the characteristic symptoms of COPD, i.e., breathlessness, cough, and the production of moisture. With time, COPD may become a substantial reason for the deterioration of the lungs’ capacity, leading to the inability to exercise and, importantly, to the impairment of one’s quality of life in the case of Mr Collins. Therefore, the timely diagnosis and handling of exacerbations are critical to minimize manifestations and prevent COPD worsening and general deterioration in patients suffering from this disease.
Additional Assessment Findings
Mrs Collins’ symptoms will also be assessed by determining her lung rate, oxygen saturation, lung sounds (for rales and whistles), and use of muscles besides the regular ones. Evaluating breeding the symptoms of breathing problems, for instance, blue lips or an altered mental state, is of utmost importance. “COPD makes breathing difficult for the 16 million Americans who have this disease” (CDC, 20221, np). These additional assessments, like respiratory rate and oxygen saturation, provide a good picture of how severe Mr Collins’s exacerbation is when there is a need for a good management plan that will improve his respiratory status and overall well-being. The establishment of the baseline level of worsening respiratory difficulties in COPD justifies quick-acting preventative measures that will prevent the progression of the condition.
Lab Abnormalities
Laboratory anomalies such as hypercapnia (elevated levels of carbon dioxide), as well as hypoxemia (decreased levels of oxygen), are usually noted in arterial blood gas analysis during the diagnosis of an exacerbation of COPD. However, CBC may indicate polycythemia due to chronic hypoxia, which is a condition characterized by insufficient oxygen saturation. These laboratory results thus demonstrate a failure in gas exchanges and display long-term tissue hypoxia seen during a COPD episode (Bouazza et al., 2021). Considering these indicators enables the doctor to determine the exacerbation status, prescribe appropriate medication, and further progress under the treatment. Developing knowledge and applying adequate strategies during that period are critical for achieving the best results as well as to avoid the condition getting worse among patients with COPD exacerbations.
Diagnostics
The healthcare team may order chest X-rays to check whether pneumonia or pneumothorax has occurred. These reasons can worsen the COPD symptoms by reducing the patient’s respiratory function even further. Furthermore, advanced diagnostic techniques such as pulmonary function tests (PFTs) illustrate the exact level of airflow limitation and help in treatment decision-making (Rizvi & Torrico, 2023). These diagnostic processes are valuable in terms of diagnosing the underlying pathology and help guide the management plan toward Mr Collins addressing the issue so the respiratory function can be optimized.
Implications for Self-Care
Given Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, Mr. Collins’ immediate concern is the physiological needs, which are breathing and oxygenation. The elevation of his COPD is a testimonial that to rest his respiratory failure, which could compromise his survival, prompt addressing of his respiratory distress is a priority.
COPD can severely limit both the patient and their caregiver’s capacity to carry out their self-care activities. The disease may appear as a limitation of Mr. Collins in the physical dimensions of the dyspnea, which influences his independence, especially in activities that require a “bathing” and “dressing” aspect. Besides, while the burden of caregiving is serious for his son, his wife’s health condition requires her to do dialysis by herself, which can make difficulties in family dynamics more severe. Therefore, there will also be the spirit of inclusion in the holistic care plan by stating the needs of the sick regarding the overall welfare of the family.
Patient Education Strategy
Through her interventions and education, Mr. Collins will learn how to cope with the COPD crisis and decrease the chance of repeated flare-ups. Instruments can focus on, for instance, teaching correct inhaler use, completing dosage prescriptions, and ensuring medication adherence to ensure maximal efficiency. Furthermore, if Mr Collins exhaled, breathing techniques like pursed-lip breathing would help alleviate the discomfort and improve his general lung functioning. According to WHO (2023), counselling for quitting smoking must be provided with the appropriate resources for Mr Collins to assure him that he can quit smoking, as tobacco aggravates COPD symptoms and is the leading cause of COPD.
In addition, educating Mr. Collins about the understanding of early signs of exacerbation and when to seek medical attention is of great importance as it may lead to prompt intervention and can prevent complications. This face-to-face dialogue and instruction should be combined with verbal guidance, demonstration, and written material aiming at Mr Collins’ ability to grasp the learning material and his level of health literacy. Through the teaching of Mr Collins the capabilities and competence needed to manage his condition well, nursing intervention can bring about an increased level of self-management and, consequently, an enhanced ability to cope with COPD exacerbations and an improved quality of life.
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Mr Collins’ care, the multidisciplinary teams required consists of pulmonologists, respiratory therapists, pharmacists, and social workers. Respiratory specialists (pulmonologists ) can be consulted to quite cope with COPD and guide adjustments to the treatment. Respiratory therapists can render manifold help, such as oxygen therapy and lung rehabilitation (Boers et al., 2023). Pharmacists play a crucial role in medication management and addressing potential drug interactions. Social workers can determine whether home care is needed, and if so, they can help find a caregiver or community resources such as meal programs or transportation.
Conclusion
In general, the worsening of COPD should be analyzed and managed comprehensively to treat flare-ups and avoid complications. Mr Collins’ code starts a vital dialogue between early treatment and breathing support of patients and health education strategies to promote autonomy in self-care. Interdisciplinary collaboration enhances the comprehensive treatment of COPD patients, considering their complicated requirements. Write a few concerning climate change. Therefore, COPD diagnosis and its aftermath give healthcare providers a chance to focus on transition care and improve the prognosis for patients like Mr. Collins.
References
Boers, E., Barrett, M., Su, J. G., Benjafield, A. V., Sinha, S., Kaye, L., Zar, H. J., Vuong, V., Tellez, D., Gondalia, R., Rice, M. B., Nunez, C. M., Wedzicha, J. A., & Malhotra, A. (2023). Global Burden of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Through 2050. JAMA network open, 6(12), e2346598. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamanetworkopen.2023.46598
Bouazza, B., Hadj-Said, D., Pescatore, K. A., & Chahed, R. (2021). Are Patients with Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Preferred Targets of COVID-19? Tuberculosis and respiratory diseases, 84(1), 22–34. https://doi.org/10.4046/trd.2020.0101
CDC. (2021). Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) | CDC. Www.cdc.gov.https://www.cdc.gov/copd/index.html#:~:text=What%20is%20COPD%3F
Rizvi, A., & Torrico, T. J. (2023, October 28). Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder. Www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov; StatPearls Publishing. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597372/
World Health Organization. (2023, March 16). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). World Health Organization: WHO. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-(COPD)
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