Assignment : COPD and Anti-asthmatics Concept Lab Case Study: Debbie O’Connor

NKDA Previous diagnosis: COPD Group B – chronic bronchitis Current diagnosis: COPD Class C – chronic bronchitis Scenario: Ms. O’Connor is a 55-year old Caucasian female who has come to the doctor’s office reporting worsening of COPD symptoms and a recent, frightening episode of bronchospasm. She is a long-term smoker (37 years) and would like assistance with smoking cessation. Home medications: Formoterol inhaler 12mcg single-use q12 hours Vitals: Temp 37C (Temporal), Blood pressure 129/79 (Automatic), Heart rate 90 (NSR), O2 sat92% (room air), Respiratory rate 26. Assessment: Ms. O’Connor is in today stating she feels her lungs “are falling apart” due to worsening shortness of breath. She reports that three days ago she had an episode of bronchospasm causing a coughing fit that made her apprehensive about her pulmonary health. She has been a smoker since the age of 15 and has had trouble breathing for years being hospitalized for a COPD exacerbation two years ago. She complains of feeling very uncomfortable with breathing difficulty being a 6 out of 10. Patient states symptoms have progressed in the recent 4 months as she has been getting more fatigued with worsening shortness of breath on minimal exertion, and a productive cough expectorating phlegm.