Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease Case 1

A 68-year-old male presents to the ED with shortness of breath.

His observations are as follows:

• Temp 37.2^oC
• Pulse 110
• BP 140/79
• Sats 92% on air
• RR 25

On examination he is thin with a barrel shaped chest. You notice he has pursed lip breathing and he has heavy tar staining to his right hand. He has a cough with brown sputum and there is diffuse wheeze on auscultation of his chest.

On questioning he tells you that he never goes to see his GP. He does not take any medications. He has a 40-pack year smoking history.

You suspect he may have an underlying diagnosis of COPD.

Which of the following are considered risk factors for the development of COPD?

Select one or more options.

Which five of the following symptoms may indicate a diagnosis of COPD?

How would you define an exacerbation of COPD?

Please pick 3 of the following sentences to form your definition