Response to Abby Rhoda’ post
I agree with your post on the discussion. Mr. Barley has been a smoker for the past 40 years, who recently reduced his cigarette count to half a pack a day, down from his usual pack to two packs a day history (Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2020). The pulmonary function test is considered the gold standard for diagnosing COPD. This diagnostic test is used to measure the patient’s lung volume, capacity, flow rate, and gas exchange rate. Therefore, completing a thorough physical exam on this patient is an important part of the diagnostic process (Medline Plus, 2016). Honestly, Mr. Barley’s COPD is in the mild stage; therefore, prescribing him an albuterol metered-dose inhaler will be of most benefit to him. I support your declaration that educating the patient on the possible side effects of the inhaler treatment is important. Possible side effects may include tachycardia, exaggerated tremors, and hypokalemia. You have accurately responded to the discussion. Congratulations!
References
Johns Hopkins Medicine. (, 2020). Pulmonary function tests. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/treatment-tests-and-therapies/pulmonary-function-tests
Medline Plus. (, 2016). Albuterol oral inhalation. https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682145.html
Response to Courtney Taibi’s post
I concur with your post on the discussion. Typically, Mr. Barley has come in for a worsening cough and shortness of breath, where the cough is only during the fall and winter and is usually in the mornings with productive phlegm, white (Chessman, 2018). I support your declaration that Mr. Barley should be prescribed an albuterol inhaler to use as needed, and he also needs encouragement and education on smoking cessation. It is also a good idea to get a chest x-ray and laboratory values to see if there are any other disease processes currently going on (Han, 2020). Such possible risks may include pneumonia, heart failure, or cancer due to his history of smoking. Generally, you have correctly responded to the discussion. Congratulations!
References
Chessman, A. (2018). Family medicine 28: the 58-year older adult with shortness of breath. Retrieved November 2, 2020, from https://southu-nur.meduapp.com/document_set_document_relations/30248
Han, M. K. (2020, April 23). Patient education: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) treatments (Beyond the basics). Retrieved November 04, 2020, from https://www.uptodate.com/contents/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease-copd-treatments-beyond-the-basics