COPD MANAGEMENT

Roles of the Respiratory Nurse for COPD Management



Roles of the Respiratory Nurse for COPD Management

Respiratory Nurse Specialist (RNS) plays a crucial role in promoting healthy behaviour in patients with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). In addition of providing general clinical care to the patient, they also provide advice and support to patients and their families. At the same time, RNS educates and encourages the patients to manage their disease proactively. As the primary roles of RNS at Irish hospitals include assessment, planning, evaluation and health promotion of a patient (Rafferty S.R and Elborn S., 2004, pp.3), so the nurse taking care of Mr. John is responsible for all the relevant activities in this context. Mr John requires comprehensive care as he is suffering from an acute episode of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Since Mr. John is hospitalized, RNS can conveniently assess for blood gases and have closer monitoring and support. RNS must observe oxygen levels through Pulse oximetry. RNS may consider providing ventilatory support depending upon the condition of Mr. John. He must also be assessed if he needs long-term oxygen therapy.

The patients with COPD may be under weight or over weight. Depending upon the physical condition and BMI of Mr. John, RNS must design a suitable diet plan for him.

The RNS can essentially contribute to the improvement of Mr. Jones health. In the next section we will discuss the few ways of contribution.

The RNS role will primarily be cantered on helping Mr. John to adjust to his conditions and teaching him the self-management skills. For example, one important task of the nurse is to teach Mr. John how to use his inhaler device properly. It would be the primary care to check his use of inhaler technique regularly.

Patients of COPD appreciate the continuity of care. RNS must provide Mr. John with such care, as well as helping him to learn how he can help himself. The primary role of RNS is to educate Mr. John about his disease, and the treatment procedures. He will have to develop an individualized self-management plan for Mr. John. Such plans for patients with asthma are already well established. However, RNS of Mr. John will have to customize the plan for this patient depending on his case history. This plan will not only help Mr. John in improvement of his lungs function, but also in reducing the later hospital admissions and emergency room visits (Madge P, et.al, 1997, pp. 224).

Since, Mr. John is a chain smoker; the very first responsibility of the RNS would be to help him to stop smoking. The nurse may use some smoking cessation techniques in order to help Mr. John. Smoking cessation is particularly difficult for Mr. John. Naturally, a person who smokes 4o cigarettes per day will feel it immensely difficult to quit smoking. RNS must convince Mr John that the reason behind his acute illness is nothing else but his smoking behaviour, which needs to be changed before any other ...