Pathophysiology of COPD - Nursing Assignments/ Essays/ Thesis/ Guidance and Tutoring in Melbourne

Hi all,

I am a registered nurse. I guide/ tutor nursing students for their Nursing Assignments/ Essays/ Case studies/ Thesis etc. in Melbourne, Perth, Sydney, Adelaide, Brisbane

I am putting here one of my work.

Mr. Hodges, an 83-year-old male is diagnosed with Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). COPD is characterised by obstruction in the airflow that is hardly reversible along with an exaggerated inflammatory response in the lung space. The most critical predisposing factor is exposure to harmful gases and particles in association with loss of existing and adaptive immune responses of the respiratory system (Kim, 2017). This leads to increased secretion of mucus, destruction of tissues and alteration in normal repair of the lung tissue leading to fibrosis and inflammation in the airway (Leap et al., 2021). The genetic and environmental causes reduce the ability of the lungs to inhibit damage the lung tissue which leads to hike in release of free radicals which is accompanied by inactivation of anti-proteases in lung. This is responsible for the acute lung inflammation (Celli & Agustí, 2018).

If the inflammation continues in the bronchial tree, as a consequence, this leads to fibrosis and narrowing of the airway along with hypersecretion of mucus. Consequently, the mucus gets trapped in the airways which is a potential site of infection (Agustí & Hogg, 2019). This condition is known as chronic bronchitis. Additionally, since the lung parenchyma undergoes destruction, the air gets trapped in lungs leading to collapse and rupture of alveoli which is known as emphysema. Both chronic bronchitis and emphysema collaterally lead to COPD (Goldklang & Stockley, 2016).