COPD CASE STUDY

COPD Case Study



COPD Case Study

Introduction

This care study will discuss the health of an individual client in the community primary care sector. It will focus on a profile of the client suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The client's medical and social background will be discussed briefly and how the condition has affected the client's health and activities of daily living. (Adolescent Smoking Statistics 2009) It will identify a relevant public health issue and this will be related to the needs of the patient. In addition, an appropriate government policy relating to the condition will be discussed. The needs of the patients' family/carers will be discussed and how these were met by the trust will be identified. The role of nurses towards the client will be discussed. The measures being undertaken to support the client in the community will also be looked into and their contribution in promoting the health of the patient. It will also explore the different inter-professional team involves with the client and will demonstrate whether there are ongoing strong or effective communication within the team. (American Thoracic Society 2003: 818) Lastly, the conclusion will summarise all the findings. In complying with Nursing and Midwifery Council 'The Code' regarding confidentiality, the name of the client and the primary care trust has been changed. Information will not be traced back to either of the client or the trust.

Client Based Care Study

Mr Jeff Smooth is an 82 years old white man who lives in his own home with his wife in Essex area of England. Mr Smooth regularly attend respiratory clinic at The Parkview Primary Trust as he suffers from 'emphysema COPD' (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The two major components of COPD are emphysema and chronic bronchitis. The symptoms include: cough, production of sputum and breathlessness on exertion. The question is 'what is COPD'? According to 'British Lung Foundation' (BLF, n.d), COPD is a term used for a number of conditions such as, chronic bronchitis and emphysema. (Celli 2004: 932)Nearly '900,000' people in the United Kingdom (UK) have said to be diagnosed as having COPD and half as many are thought to be living with COPD without the disease being undiagnosed. COPD leads to damaged airways in the lungs, causing them to become narrower and making it harder for air to get in and out of the lungs.

Analysis

Emphysema COPD is a result of damage to the alveoli (air sack) of the lungs. The lungs lose their elasticity which reduces the support of the airways causing them to narrow. The lungs are not good enough at getting oxygen to the body, hence the sufferer may have to breathe harder and this brought about shortness of breath (dyspnoea). Smoking is said to be the major causes of COPD, though other causes such as generic, air pollution and occupational factor have not been ruled out. Mr Smooth is an ex-smoker and the smoking is the cause of his emphysema COPD. According to his family history, (Chronic obstructive pulmonary ...