Hey guys can anyone help with an assignment question?

Question

completing an essay on C.O.P.D and need to about oxygen used in dysponea, can anyone help??? and need info on antibiotic frequently used in c,o,p.d. patients ....would appreciate any help thanks......

Answer 1

Will give you some tips as am nice person...

When administering oxygen to a patient with COPD it is important to know that their respiratory drive is governed by oxygen levels and not carbon dioxide levels (as in normal respiratory drive)...therefore administering high flow O2 will depress their respiration and they could proceed to respiratory arrest...try looking up 'CO2 retention in COPD'

In this situation, medics would have to treat dyspnoea with low concentration O2 and consider non-invasive ventilation techniques such as CPAP (continuous postive airway pressure) or BiPAP (bi-level positive airway pressure)...you can find out about these by using the abbreviations as search terms.

It will help you to understand the pressure gradients associated with normal ventilation (but don't make this more complicated than it needs to be) - inspiration (ie air movement in) happens under negative pressures as diaphragm flattens and increases area inside lungs thus creating pressures lower than atmospheric pressure all around us. Expiration is passive as pressures equalise and diaphragm returns to starting position moving air out of what is now a smaller area in lungs until pressures equalise again. In COPD there is significant atelectasis (alveolar collapse due to pressure disturbances from gas trapping and the mechanical implications of airway disease - saggy air sacs with no to tone and elastic recoil) - there will be more info on this if you search 'atelectasis in COPD'. The patient's breathing is laboured as breathing becomes a more conscious process as they struggle against abnormal pressure gradients. (in a nutshell)

You would ideally want to avoid overuse of antibiotics in COPD as all exacerbations are NOT infective. Having said that, if the patient is critically ill you would throw everything at them...intravenous cefuroxime and clarithromycin are the favourites at the moment for severe COPD (but this does vary between hospitals)...orally I am not very sure...possibly erythromycin or co-amoxiclav (don't quote me on that!!! they keep changing) - your local pharmacist will be able to advise you on this I am sure. Also they would need steroids (hydrocortisone (IV) or prednisolone (oral)...and if really unwell, IV aminophylline. Nebulised salbutamol and atrovent have some benefit if there is a degree of reversibility to the condition - but not as effective as in asthma exacerbations.

Have a look at the new National Service Framework for COPD - the introduction may explain things quite well...

If you work in the healthcare field...try talking to Respiratory Doctors or Physiotherapists about the mechanics of breathing and non-invasive ventilation...

Otherwise a google search is as good as anything using search terms from the above....


Good luck

Answer 2

Goodness, what use is it for your studies if someone provides you with easy answers to your assignments? Not the way to pass, you know ;)

I'm not sure oxygen would be indicated in all cases of dyspnoea, so first off, I would be looking for more information about the patient.

And, so many antibiotics available these days, but none are used to treat COPD. Antibiotics are used to treat exacerbations in COPD, ie bronchitis, some pneumonias, etc or other infections. They would be prescribed by first knowing what other conditions a patient may be suffering, and which other medications they are taking.

Your texts must have the kind of information you are expected to know, and I believe there are a number of study-aid sites on the web, though sadly I don't know the URLs. Perhaps those given in another reply have been useful for you.

Sure would be great if you research the answers yourself and could be proud for passing your exams "under your own steam".

Good luck! ;)

Answer 3

my doc keeps me on antibiotics 24/7. if taken off i get pneumonia. i have emphysema, copd, and chronic bronchitis. suppose to wear oxygen 2.5 24/7. but i do smoke. i know i am nuts but only bad habit i can't break. 48 years old. Plus i have chronic pain and arthritis so i take strong pain meds which i was told by doc that it hurts my breathing. been on oxygen for 3-4 years now. hope this helps

Answer 4

Don't take shortcuts to find the answer - look up your answers in multiple resources like books and reliable web sites. You will learn a lot more and you can trust the answers that way.

Answer 5

My pony has COPD.

If she has medication from the vet it's called Ventapulmin, but if I keep her calm and not let her overindulge on lush grass she is also fine, but then I cant ride her, but as she is really old, I don't mind.


Don't know if this is of any help to you.

Answer 6

I don't know, but i see people are really getting mad with you, in your assignment any research is good isn't it?? Well this is research isn't it???? So all your moaners out there who is reading this get a life let this person get on with it. OK As this person might be your doctor and save your life.

Answer 7

try medline (you need passwords I think)

pubmed (articles open to all)

or just google it.

Books

respiratory medicine david c flenly pub bailliere tindall
cash's textbook of chest heart and vascular disorders
Brompton hopital guide to chest physiotherapy B A webber

Answer 8

This link may help, or at least steer you in the right direction:

http://bmj.bmjjournals.com/cgi/content/full/308/6920/18

Answer 9

get ur detials on the seearch. it is really long to tell on this forum.

Answer 10

I have C.O.P.D. and use ventolin