There are multiple types of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), COPD “characterized by chronic and recurrent obstruction of airflow in the pulmonary airways (Porth & Matfin, 2009). The recurrent obstruction makes it difficult for a person to breath overtime this problem occurs in the lower respiratory tract. COPD compromises the flow of air in the lungs this causes less oxygen that is being circulated between the cells, retaining an increased amount of carbon dioxide. The case study talks about R.S. who suffers from chronic bronchitis – a type of COPD – otherwise known as COPD Type B. The most obvious cause of his chronic bronchitis is his history of smoking. His coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease can be taken account as a sequela from his chronic bronchitis and lifestyle.
R.S. objective findings would include being overweight, having shortness of breath on exertion, excessive amount of sputum, …show more content…
has had a history of coronary artery disease and peripheral arterial vascular disease (PAD). It is safe to say that his heart is vulnerable from other diseases that is caused by his chronic bronchitis. In R.S. chest x-ray he has an area that is consistent with pneumonia. Although not specified, consolidations in chest x-rays regarding pneumonias is typically caused by bacterial infection (Copstead & Banasik, 2013). Bacterial infection of the lungs can travel and spread around surrounding organs especially the heart. Bacterial infection of the heart can lead to myocarditis (Professional Guide to Pathophysiology, 2011). Especially when mycoplasma pneumonia travels to the heart it can destroy muscle fibers and leave dead space around the heart (Porth & Matfin, 2009). Even though myocarditis itself is not as life threatening if combined with other cardiovascular disease will increase the likelihood of R.S. to suffer from myocardial