COPD

COPD Zones

Green Zone

• I'm doing well today
• Usual activity
• Usual cough & secretions
• Sleep well at night
• Appetite is good

Yellow Zone

• Having a flareup
• More breathless
• Less energy
• Increased cough/mucus
• Using rescue inhaler more often
• Poor sleep
• Poor appetite

What to do

• Take medications
• Use rescue inhaler as ordered
• Use oxygen if prescribed
• Rest more
• Use breathing and coughing
• Call Dr if symptoms don't improve

Red Zone

• Severe shortness of breath even at rest
• Not able to sleep
• Fever, chills
• Feeling confused, very drowsy
• Chest pain
• Coughing up blood

What to do

Patient Education

COPD Exacerbation

• An acute event, worsening of the patient’s respiratory symptoms that is beyond normal day-to-day variation and leads to change in medication
• A viral upper respiratory tract infection is the most common cause of COPD exacerbations

Treating Exacerbations

• Antibiotics
• Oral steroids
• Increased use of short-acting bronchodilators
• Prevent future flareups

Preventing Exacerbations

• Get vaccinations: flu and pneumococcal
• Smoking cessation
• Pulmonary rehab
• Self management with written action plan

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