Pathophysiology

Patient with previous diagnosis of COPD, who presents with shortness of breath, accessory muscle use and poor oxygenation caused by diagnosis of COVID-19.

COPD is chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder. It is characterized by “poorly reversible airflow obstruction and an abnormal inflammatory response in the lungs” (MacNee,2006).  Some pathological changes that can occur with a patient who has COPD are an “increased resistance to airflow in the small conducting airways, increased compliance of the lungs, air trapping, and progressive airflow obstruction” (MacNee, 2006). It is important to understand that COPD can come about in many ways, either smoking a prolonged amount of time or the inhalation of toxic chemicals or irritants, in the case of the patient E.L, she had a previous history of smoking for 30+ years. Patients who have COPD can have any of the following symptoms: Chronic productive cough, pulmonary hypertension, ventilation and perfusion issues (low oxygen saturations, might need O2 continuously), skeletal muscle wasting, Barrell chest, osteoporosis, increased risk for cardiovascular disease and depression/anxiety. ........ Continue