Nursing Blog

According Doenges (2000: 152-155) basic assessment of COPD include: 1. Activity / rest symptoms: a. Exhaustion, fatigue. b. The inability to perform daily activities because of difficulty breathing. c. Inability to sleep, need to sleep in a higher body position. d. Dyspnea at rest or in response to activity or exercise. Signs: a. Fatigue. b. Restlessness, insomnia. c. General fatigue or loss of muscle mass. 2. Circulation symptoms: a. Swelling of the lower extremities. Signs: a. The increase in blood pressure. b. Increased heart rate or severe tachycardia, dysrhythmias. c. Distended neck veins. d. Edema not associated with heart disease. e. Faint heart sounds. 3. Ego Integrity symptoms: a. Increased risk factors b. Changes in lifestyle Signs: a. Anxiety, fear, sensitive excitatory. 4. Food and fluids Symptoms: a. Nausea or vomiting. b. Anorexia. c. Weight loss. Signs: a. Poor skin turgor. b. Edema. c. Sweating. d. Decrease in muscle mass. 5. Hygiene Symptoms: a. Decreased ability or in...

Complications of COPD Hipoxemia Hipoxemia defined as a decrease in PaO2 values ​​less than 55 mmHg, with oxygen saturation values ​​<85%. At first the client will experience changes in mood, decreased concentration and forgetfulness. At the advanced stage resulting cyanosis. Respiratory Acidosis Arise as a result of the increased value of PaCO2 (hypercapnia). Signs that arise include: headache, fatigue, lethargi, dizzines, tachipnea. Respiratory Infections Acute respiratory infections are caused by increased production of mucus, increased bronchial smooth muscle stimulation and mucosal edema. Lack of air flow will increase the incidence of breath and dyspnea. Heart Failure Especially right heart failure due to lung disease, should be observed particularly in clients with severe dyspnea. This complication often associated with chronic bronchitis, but clients with severe emphysema can also experience this problem. Cardiac Dysrhythmias Arise as a result of hipoxemia, other heart diseas...

Management of COPD in Elderly The purpose of the management of COPD are: Improving the ability of people with the symptoms not only in the acute phase, but also the chronic phase. Improving the ability of patients in performing daily activities. Reducing the rate of progression of disease when the disease can be detected early. Management of COPD in the elderly, as follows: Eliminate etiologic factors / precipitation, for example, immediately stop smoking, avoid air pollution. Cleaning the bronchial secretions with the help of a variety of ways. Eradicate the infection with antimicrobial. In the absence of antimicrobial infection need not be given. Provision of appropriate antimicrobial should be in accordance with the germs that cause infections of appropriate sensitivity test results or empirical treatment. Overcoming bronchospasm with bronchodilator drugs. The use of corticosteroids to resolve the inflammatory process (bronchospasm) is still controversial. Symptomatic treatm...

Chronic obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is comprised primarily of three related conditions - chronic bronchitis, chronic asthma , and emphysema. In each condition there is chronic obstruction of the flow of air through the airways and out of the lungs, and the obstruction generally is permanent and may be progressive over time. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease ( COPD ) is a chronic lung disease . COPD is characterized by limitation of airflow in the airway that is not fully reversible , is progressive , and is usually caused by inflammation of the lung caused by exposure to harmful gases that can give you an idea of systemic disorders . These disorders are preventable and treatable . The main cause of COPD is cigarette, smoke pollution from combustion, hazardous gases and particles. Impaired airflow in the airway caused lung inflammation that causes a combination of small airway disease (small airway disease) and parenchymal destruction (emphysema). Signs and Symptoms f...