Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Case Study

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is any group debilitating, progressive, and potentially fatal lung diseases that have increased resistance to air movement, prolongation of the expiratory phase of respiration, and loss of the normal elasticity of the lung (Ignatavicius & Workman, 2012). Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Emphysema is when the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged. Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the mucous membrane in the bronchial tubes. The greatest risk factor for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is smoking. Inhaled smoke triggers the release of excessive amounts of the proteases from the cells in the lungs. Although cigarette smoke is the major risk factor for COPD, the total amount of “bad air” over time, or …show more content…
For example, powerlessness related to progressive nature of disease as evidence by patient reports frustration over inability to perform previous activities. This nursing diagnosis represents a lot of people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease because a lot of people with the disease have a hard time doing things that they are used to doing. A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease might not be able to clean the house or take out the trash without getting short of breath, wheezing, or needing the help of others. A person with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may not being able to do these everyday things and having to rely on others can make them feel powerlessness. According to Fielding (2015), it gives the example of an older lady that is having trouble keeping up her house. Her friend’s son has to move into her basement in order to do household things for her, such as retrieve the mail, carry the laundry, and do the grocery shopping since she is no longer able to do so. That often happens a lot with this chronic disease as it