Treatment COPD

 

—  Oxygen Inhalation

—  At 2L/min through a rate-limiting device

—  Bronchodilator

—  Salbutamol

—  Empirical Antibiotics

—  Injection ceftriaxone

—  Injection azithromycin

—  Steroid

—  Oral prednisone

Since patient had 87% oxygen saturation, so he needed supplemental oxygen (Pilcher, & Beasley, 2015). Oxygen was administered at a flow rate of 2 L/min through a Venturi mask. Patients with chronic diseases often become accustomed to using low levels of oxygen for their respiration. Therefore, high-flow oxygen is not advised, as it can greatly increase blood oxygen levels, which can lead to a loss of the drive to breathe and result in the development of hypercapnia (Currie & Douglas, 2006). For this reason Venturi mask was applied in order to limit the oxygen supply.

The use of high-dose bronchodilators is crucial for managing acute exacerbations. Salbutamol, a beta-2 adrenergic agonist, was administered to the patient via nebulization. Ipratropium can also be given, or both can be administered alternately. However, research has not yet proven their additive benefit (Boesing, Ottensarendt, Lüthi-Corridori, & Leuppi, 2023).

Evidence has found that oral steroid use is beneficial during an acute exacerbation, because it improves the function of lungs, diminishes hypoxemia, speeds up recovery, and decreases the relapse rate (Thebault et al., 2023).  According to NICE guidelines, oral steroids should be given for 7 to 14 days (NICE, 2019).