About COPD
COPD is a group of lung diseases that obstruct the flow of air, making it hard to breathe. If a patient comes back for a second visit, it is advisable to focus on the presence of any smoking habits, presence, severity and duration of a bad cough, shortness of breath during vigorous activity, body strength, and ability to walk for long distances at an average speed. Diagnostic tests for COPD would include, one is Spirometry to determine the lung functioning and capacity, second would be blood tests to determine if the symptoms are as a result of an infection or other underlying medical condition (Mirza et al., 2018). The third is conducting genetic tests to explore the presence of a family history of COPD. Also, a chest X-ray would bring out any evidence of COPD.
Taking a history of the present illness is essential in the documentation, treatment, and progress assessment. The most essential lab test for COPD is Spirometry, where one exhales forcefully into a tube connected to a spirometer and a machine to determine lung capacity and functioning. However, lab tests do not diagnose COPD; they only identify the causes of the symptoms or presence of another medical condition (Westerik et al., 2017). A physical exam would involve taking body temperate, body mass index, nose, ears, eyes, and throat examination, heart, and lungs examination using a stethoscope, abdomen palpation, and checking for swollen fingers and legs. Physical examination is an essential routine for a faster diagnosis of a disease. A COPD patient on the right medication shows mild symptoms due to the slow progression of the disease. This means a reduction in bad coughs, shortness of breath, flexibility in movement and exercise, and reduced chest tightness.