Course Summary

Expiration Date: 07/16/2029

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), a progressive pulmonary disease encompassing chronic bronchitis and emphysema, is a leading cause of death in the U.S. Its etiology is multifactorial, involving a genetic predisposition and environmental factors, with tobacco smoking as the most significant risk factor. The pathophysiology is chronic, progressive airflow obstruction resulting from airway inflammation, tissue damage, and lung hyperinflation. Common symptoms include cough, exertional dyspnea, excessive mucus, and acute exacerbations that negatively affect lung function and mortality. COPD is associated with numerous comorbidities, such as anxiety, depression, and cardiovascular disease. While there is no cure apart from lung transplantation, treatment focuses on symptomatic relief, improving quality of life, and preventing exacerbations. Key interventions include pharmacotherapy (inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids), smoking cessation (most influential on the disease’s natural history), long-term oxygen therapy for severe hypoxemia, comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation, surgical options, and preventative vaccinations.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

  • Introduction
  • COPD: A Progressive Pulmonary Disease
  • Epidemiology and Etiology
    • Genetics
    • Tobacco Smoking
    • Secondhand Smoke and In Utero Exposure
  • Environmental Risk Factors
  • Comorbidities and Complications
  • Pathophysiology of COPD
  • Clinical Presentation and Diagnosis
    • COPD Exacerbations
  • Treatment and Drug Therapy
    • Initial Drug Therapy and Assessment
    • Initial Assessment
    • Dyspnea and Exacerbations
    • Inhaler Technique and Non-Adherence
    • Adverse Effects
    • Maintenance Drug Therapy
  • Vaccinations
  • Smoking Cessation: COPD and Pharmacology
  • Oxygen Therapy
  • Pulmonary Rehabilitation, Nutritional Support, and Exercise
  • Surgical Procedures and COPD
  • Treatment of COPD Exacerbations
  • COPD Action Plan
  • Summary

Author

Dana Bartlett, RN, BSN, MSN, MA, CSPI

Dana Bartlett is a professional nurse and author. His clinical experience includes 16 years of ICU and ER experience and over 27 years as a poison control center information specialist. Dana has published numerous CE and journal articles, written NCLEX material, textbook chapters, and more than 100 online CE articles, and done editing and reviewing for publishers such as Elsevier, Lippincott, and Thieme. He has written widely on the subject of toxicology and was a contributing editor, toxicology section, for Critical Care Nurse journal. He is currently employed at the Connecticut Poison Control Center. He lives in Wappingers Falls, NY.