Care Plan for COPD Management
Care Plan for COPD Management
Category / Primary Body System
- Respiratory System
Problem
- Patient is at risk for complications related to COPD.
Goal
- Patient will not experience respiratory distress for the next 90 days.
Plan/Approach
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Oxygen Therapy
- Administer oxygen via nasal cannula as ordered to maintain adequate oxygenation levels.
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Fluid and Nutrition Management
- Encourage adequate fluid intake if not contraindicated to help thin mucus and prevent dehydration.
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Monitoring and Assessment
- Monitor for signs and symptoms of respiratory distress (e.g., increased shortness of breath, wheezing, cyanosis) and notify MD/RNP if any are observed.
- Encourage the patient to pace activities as needed to avoid overexertion.
- Encourage the patient to perform deep breathing exercises (DBE) every day as tolerated to improve lung function.
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Positioning
- Elevate the head of the bed when the patient is in bed to facilitate easier breathing.
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Emotional Support
- Provide emotional support as needed to help the patient cope with the chronic nature of COPD.
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Medication Management
- Administer medications as ordered, including bronchodilators, steroids, and other COPD-related medications.
Rationale
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Oxygen Therapy
- Oxygen therapy helps maintain adequate blood oxygen levels, reducing the risk of hypoxemia and respiratory distress.
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Fluid and Nutrition Management
- Adequate hydration helps thin respiratory secretions, making them easier to clear.
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Monitoring and Assessment
- Regular monitoring for signs of respiratory distress allows for prompt intervention, reducing the risk of severe exacerbations.
- Pacing activities prevents overexertion, which can trigger respiratory distress.
- Deep breathing exercises improve lung capacity and respiratory efficiency.
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Positioning
- Elevating the head of the bed reduces the work of breathing and improves oxygenation.
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Emotional Support
- Providing emotional support helps the patient manage anxiety and stress related to COPD, which can exacerbate symptoms.
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Medication Management
- Proper medication management helps control symptoms and prevent exacerbations of COPD.
Actions
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Oxygen Therapy
- Administer oxygen via nasal cannula as prescribed, monitoring oxygen saturation levels to ensure they remain within the target range.
- Adjust oxygen flow rates as needed based on the patient's oxygen saturation levels and physician orders.
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Fluid and Nutrition Management
- Encourage the patient to drink fluids regularly, ensuring they understand the importance of hydration in managing COPD.
- Monitor the patient's fluid intake and output to prevent overhydration or dehydration.
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Monitoring and Assessment
- Regularly assess the patient for signs of respiratory distress, including increased shortness of breath, wheezing, and cyanosis.
- Encourage the patient to pace activities, providing rest periods between tasks to prevent overexertion.
- Guide the patient through deep breathing exercises daily, documenting their participation and any improvements in lung function.
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Positioning
- Elevate the head of the bed to a comfortable angle for the patient, typically between 30-45 degrees, to ease breathing.
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Emotional Support
- Offer emotional support by listening to the patient’s concerns and providing reassurance and coping strategies.
- Encourage family involvement in providing emotional support.
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Medication Management
- Administer prescribed medications on schedule, monitoring for effectiveness and any side effects.
- Educate the patient on the correct use of inhalers and other respiratory devices, ensuring they understand how to use them effectively.
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