Should You Use Antibiotics in a COPD Exacerbation? Case Study for Nurse Practitioners

chronic care clinical topics podcast pulmonary urgent care Dec 02, 2019

An image of a white woman smiling with a text Manage COPD Flare in yellow background.

Walking into an examination room and seeing a patient hunched over with labored breathing, audible wheezing, and an oxygen tank can be intimidating!

As a nurse practitioner in primary care, it is essential to understand the management of COPD exacerbations to provide the best care possible for patients.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic lung condition that affects millions of people worldwide. It is characterized by chronic inflammation of the airways, leading to airflow obstruction and breathing difficulties.

COPD exacerbation can look scary, but the management is fairly straightforward. So is the choice of whether or not to prescribe antibiotics (and which ones!)

Managing a COPD Exacerbation in Primary Care

This week, we are sharing a case study about the management of COPD exacerbation in primary care. You’ll learn about “Carolyn” and how her symptoms presented.

Through this super interesting case study we’ll cover:

How to know who should go to the ER
When to give antibiotics (and which one, for how long)
The general management you should be doing in primary care as a PCP for someone with COPD

PLUS! You can also download the COPD Management Cheat Sheet that you can keep at your desk to help you in your clinical practice!

This handy tool will serve as a quick reference guide and assist you in making informed decisions when managing COPD exacerbation in primary care.

Managing COPD exacerbation in primary care can be a challenging task for any healthcare professional. Being able to recognize the signs and symptoms of a COPD exacerbation is crucial, and knowing how to manage them effectively will help you provide the best possible care to patients.