What it means
One of the main forms of COPDsee-oh-pee-dee (said as letters)Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.chronic long-lastingobstructive blockingpulmon/o lung-ary relating toFull entry . The walls of the tiny air sacs (alveolusal-VEE-uh-lus (plural alveoli, al-VEE-uh-ly)One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.Full entry ) break down and lose their stretch, so air gets trapped and it is hard to breathe out. The main cause is smoking. Over time the client becomes short of breath with less and less activity, may breathe out through pursed lips, and can develop a rounded "barrel" chest.
For the nurse
Teach pursed-lip breathing, energy saving and stopping smoking. Give oxygen at the ordered rate and monitor oxygen saturation; many clients with COPD have a lower target, set by the provider. Watch for signs of infection, which can bring on an exacerbation.
At a glance
| Spanish | enfisema |
|---|---|
| Also written | emphysematous |
Related terms
dyspnea
Difficult or labored breathing, or the feeling of not getting enough air.
COPD
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a long-term lung disease that makes it hard to move air out of the lungs.
pulmonary function tests
Breathing tests that measure how much air the lungs hold and how fast air moves in and out.
alveolus
One of the tiny air sacs at the ends of the smallest airways in the lungs.