COPD
Structured condition card with NCLEX priority cues and nursing action focus.
COPD
Etiology / Pathophysiology
- Chronic airflow limitation from smoking, environmental exposure, or genetic risk.
- Air trapping and poor gas exchange cause chronic dyspnea and exacerbations.
Medications
| Class | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Bronchodilators | Opens airways and reduces symptoms. |
| Corticosteroids | May reduce inflammation in exacerbations or maintenance plans. |
Signs / symptoms
- Frequent coughing or wheezing.
- Shortness of breath during everyday activities.
- Difficulty taking a deep breath.
- Excess sputum or mucus production.
Nursing actions
- Position upright, coach pursed-lip breathing, and assess oxygenation.
- Administer oxygen as ordered and monitor CO2 retention risk based on protocol.
- Teach infection prevention, vaccines, and smoking cessation.
Complications
- Respiratory failure
- Pneumonia
- Cor pulmonale
- Pneumothorax
NCLEX cues
- Barrel chest, pursed lips, chronic productive cough.
- Increasing somnolence can signal CO2 retention.
Memory hooks
- COPD traps air; exhale slowly.
Labs / Diagnostics
- Trend assessment findings and ordered diagnostics; verify exact values with school source material.
Review notes
- Session-derived study seed. Verify against school materials, ATI/NCLEX review sources, current orders, and facility policy before relying on details.
Cross references
Related cards are generated from the shared study map, not hand-built per page.
Condition card for COPD: recognize the testable cue, prevent the complication, and choose the safest first nursing action.
Inhaled medication delivery through aerosolized mist.
Blood test pattern used to interpret oxygenation, ventilation, and acid-base status.
Chronic airflow limitation that can impair gas exchange and increase CO2 retention risk.
ABG value that reflects ventilation and respiratory acid-base effect.
Noninvasive estimate of oxygen saturation from pulse oximetry.
Opens narrowed airways by relaxing bronchial smooth muscle or reducing vagal bronchoconstriction.
Suppresses inflammation and immune activity; systemic use affects glucose, infection risk, and adrenal response.
Sources and evidence
- https://www.cdc.gov/copd/about/index.htmlSigns / symptoms