Mrs. Rodriguez, a 65-year-old female, is admitted to the respiratory care unit with a known history of COPD. She presents with increased dyspnea, chronic cough, and sputum production. Mrs. Rodriguez has a smoking history and has been prescribed several lower respiratory medications to manage her condition.
Mrs. Rodriguez’s medication regimen includes a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA), an inhaled corticosteroid (ICS), and a short-acting bronchodilator (SABA) for rescue use. The healthcare team aims to optimize her medication therapy, improve respiratory function, and enhance her quality of life.
Assessment and Spirometry Testing:
How would you assess Mrs. Rodriguez’s respiratory status upon admission, and what role does spirometry testing play in determining the severity of her COPD and guiding medication management?
Individualized Medication Plans:
Considering the different classes of lower respiratory drugs, how would you tailor Mrs. Rodriguez’s medication plan to address her specific COPD symptoms and improve overall lung function?
Patient Education on Inhaler Technique:
What steps would you take to educate Mrs. Rodriguez on proper inhaler technique for each of her prescribed medications, and how can you ensure her understanding and adherence to the treatment plan?
Monitoring for Adverse Effects:
Given the combination of LABA, ICS, and SABA, what adverse effects would you monitor for, and how would you educate Mrs. Rodriguez on recognizing and reporting potential complications?
Collaboration with Respiratory Therapists:
How might you collaborate with respiratory therapists to optimize the delivery of inhaled medications and ensure that Mrs. Rodriguez is using her inhalers effectively?