Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) — exacerbation
- Increase short-acting bronchodilation
- Systemic steroid ~5 days if moderate/severe
- Antibiotic if purulence/bacterial features
- NIV for hypercapnic respiratory failure
- Oxygen carefully; avoid excessive hyperoxia
- Resume/optimize maintenance inhalers
Use at a glance
- Increase short-acting bronchodilation
Practical pearls
- Resume/optimize maintenance inhalers
Other practical pearls
- NIV for hypercapnic respiratory failure
Choosing treatment
- Systemic steroid ~5 days if moderate/severe
- Antibiotic if purulence/bacterial features
Safety / pitfalls
- Oxygen carefully; avoid excessive hyperoxia
Self-check
- What should be increased during a COPD exacerbation?
Short-acting bronchodilation.
Drugs used for this (4)
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