Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Case Study
Cover Page
Title: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Comprehensive Case Study
Author: [Your Name]
Course: [Your Course Title]
Instructor: [Instructor’s Name]
Date: [Submission Date]
Introduction: Patient and Problem
Patient Overview
Mr. Smith is 65 years of age and a male retired following a labor-intensive job as a
construction worker, which has shaped his general wellbeing. The environmental pollutant
exposures by residing in an urban area, Mr. Smith had prolonged duration of exposure to
environmental pollutants which increases his susceptibility to respiratory diseases. With 40
pack years of smoking history chronic smoking has been a major issue contributing to his
health today. This level of tobacco use has not been very friendly to the lungs hence the slow
and steady pulling away of the lungs’ functionality akin to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). Also, early retirement might have seen him take less physical activity that is
crucial in the health of the respiratory system. Mr. Hereby the justification of medical and
nursing care for Smith to ease the quality of his life due to arising complications respectively
due to his age, smoking history and background placing him at the high risk for COPD.
Problem Identification
Mr. Smith finally went for a check-up because his prior symptoms regressed and exacerbated
with pronounced dyspnea, productive cough with phlegm, and fatigue affecting his daily
, quality of life. COPD patients often experience hypoxemia; the oxygen saturation at 87%
while breathing the room air means a high risk of deterioration of the respiratory system. He
has also had repeated exacerbations in the past one year with some of them being moderate to
severely symptomatic and they have needed hospitalization therefore the disease management
seems poor and there might have been poor compliance to the disease treatment regimes. A
chest X-ray exhibit hyperinflation of the lungs, which fits obstructive lung disease, and
spirometry confirmed GOLD III COPD stage. They indicate marked impairment of airflow,
decreased physical activities and increased vulnerability for future exacerbations and other
related serious conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions in an attempt to
slow down or halt any deterioration in his status, and improve his functional outcomes.
Main Argument
An important role and responsibility for a nurse is to meet and treat the patient’s actual
and potential needs to improve his health state, using a team approach, in the case of Mr.
Smith. He’s major complaints should be addressed, starting with dyspnea and chronic cough
and then, pharmacokinetic and non-pharmacokinetic approaches should be used to make him
more comfortable and more efficient. Avoiding these relapses is of equal importance because
every exacerbation leads to faster deterioration of lung functions and increases the danger of
hospitalization or death. Another focal area in the interventions is teaching Mr. Smith about
the changes in his lifestyle that would prove to be essential for further treatment as well as
promoting a better quality of life, including smoking cessation, changes in diet, incorporation
of pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, among others. Further, in relation to knowledge, the
client’s knowledge of disease management strategies such as compliance with medications
and recognizing signs that indicate deterioration should increase. By directing on these areas,
Cover Page
Title: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD): A Comprehensive Case Study
Author: [Your Name]
Course: [Your Course Title]
Instructor: [Instructor’s Name]
Date: [Submission Date]
Introduction: Patient and Problem
Patient Overview
Mr. Smith is 65 years of age and a male retired following a labor-intensive job as a
construction worker, which has shaped his general wellbeing. The environmental pollutant
exposures by residing in an urban area, Mr. Smith had prolonged duration of exposure to
environmental pollutants which increases his susceptibility to respiratory diseases. With 40
pack years of smoking history chronic smoking has been a major issue contributing to his
health today. This level of tobacco use has not been very friendly to the lungs hence the slow
and steady pulling away of the lungs’ functionality akin to Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary
Disease (COPD). Also, early retirement might have seen him take less physical activity that is
crucial in the health of the respiratory system. Mr. Hereby the justification of medical and
nursing care for Smith to ease the quality of his life due to arising complications respectively
due to his age, smoking history and background placing him at the high risk for COPD.
Problem Identification
Mr. Smith finally went for a check-up because his prior symptoms regressed and exacerbated
with pronounced dyspnea, productive cough with phlegm, and fatigue affecting his daily
, quality of life. COPD patients often experience hypoxemia; the oxygen saturation at 87%
while breathing the room air means a high risk of deterioration of the respiratory system. He
has also had repeated exacerbations in the past one year with some of them being moderate to
severely symptomatic and they have needed hospitalization therefore the disease management
seems poor and there might have been poor compliance to the disease treatment regimes. A
chest X-ray exhibit hyperinflation of the lungs, which fits obstructive lung disease, and
spirometry confirmed GOLD III COPD stage. They indicate marked impairment of airflow,
decreased physical activities and increased vulnerability for future exacerbations and other
related serious conditions. Therefore, it is crucial to develop interventions in an attempt to
slow down or halt any deterioration in his status, and improve his functional outcomes.
Main Argument
An important role and responsibility for a nurse is to meet and treat the patient’s actual
and potential needs to improve his health state, using a team approach, in the case of Mr.
Smith. He’s major complaints should be addressed, starting with dyspnea and chronic cough
and then, pharmacokinetic and non-pharmacokinetic approaches should be used to make him
more comfortable and more efficient. Avoiding these relapses is of equal importance because
every exacerbation leads to faster deterioration of lung functions and increases the danger of
hospitalization or death. Another focal area in the interventions is teaching Mr. Smith about
the changes in his lifestyle that would prove to be essential for further treatment as well as
promoting a better quality of life, including smoking cessation, changes in diet, incorporation
of pulmonary rehabilitation exercises, among others. Further, in relation to knowledge, the
client’s knowledge of disease management strategies such as compliance with medications
and recognizing signs that indicate deterioration should increase. By directing on these areas,
