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Acute exacerbation of COPD: Difference between revisions

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'''Acute exacerbations of COPD''' are acute worsenings of symptoms in a patient with [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]]. It may be caused by viral respiratory infections, bacterial infections, pollution, or stress.
<section begin="A&IC" />'''Acute exacerbations of COPD''' are acute worsenings of symptoms in a patient with [[Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease|COPD]]. It may be caused by viral respiratory infections, bacterial infections, pollution, or stress.


Exacerbations may vary in intensity from mild to very severe and life-threatening. Rapid assessment of the severity is important.
Exacerbations may vary in intensity from mild to very severe and life-threatening. Rapid assessment of the severity is important.
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== Diagnosis and evaluation ==
== Diagnosis and evaluation ==
The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms. If there are severe symptoms, [[ABG]] is used to assess the level of severity.
The diagnosis is based on clinical symptoms of respiratory distress, dyspnoea, and evidence of lower airway obstruction on auscultation (expiratory wheezing, prolonged expiration). If there are severe symptoms, [[ABG]] is used to assess the level of severity.


== Treatment ==
== Treatment ==
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* pH < 7,25
* pH < 7,25
* Haemodynamic instability
* Haemodynamic instability
 
<section end="A&IC" />
[[Category:Intensive care]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]
[[Category:Pulmonology]]