Non-Pharmacological Therapies Flashcards

A 68-year-old male with severe COPD (GOLD Stage 4) reports significant anxiety and feelings of social isolation that worsen his dyspnea. Which non-pharmacological intervention should a COPD educator prioritize to address the psychosocial aspects of his condition?

Answer: Recommending enrollment in a peer support group and introducing stress management techniques.

Patients with severe COPD often experience anxiety and depression, which can exacerbate symptoms. Peer support groups provide emotional support and social interaction, while stress management techniques like mindfulness can help patients cope with their condition, improving overall quality of life. While exercise, planning, and technique are important, addressing the immediate psychosocial distress is a priority in this scenario.

Which of the following is a core, evidence-based component of a comprehensive pulmonary rehabilitation program for a patient with COPD?

Answer: Supervised upper and lower extremity exercise training.

According to major guidelines, supervised exercise training for both upper and lower extremities is a cornerstone of pulmonary rehabilitation. It has been shown to improve exercise capacity, reduce dyspnea, and enhance health status. While other interventions may be used adjunctively, structured exercise is a fundamental and required component.

A patient with COPD and chronic bronchitis frequently complains of a productive cough with thick, difficult-to-clear mucus. A COPD educator is teaching airway clearance techniques. Which technique involves a cycle of breathing control, thoracic expansion, and forced expiration?

Answer: Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT)

The Active Cycle of Breathing Technique (ACBT) is a structured method that consists of three main phases: breathing control (relaxation), thoracic expansion exercises (deep breathing), and the forced expiration technique (huffing or coughing) to move mucus from smaller to larger airways for easier expulsion.

A COPD educator is providing nutritional counseling to an underweight patient who experiences significant dyspnea and early satiety during meals. Which recommendation is most appropriate?

Answer: Consume 4-6 small, nutrient-dense meals throughout the day.

Eating 4 to 6 small, frequent meals can help prevent the stomach from becoming too full, which would otherwise press on the diaphragm and make breathing more difficult. Nutrient-dense foods ensure adequate caloric and protein intake without excessive volume, addressing both the underweight status and early satiety.

According to GOLD (Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease) guidelines, long-term oxygen therapy is indicated to improve survival in patients with stable COPD who have which of the following findings?

Answer: A resting arterial oxygen saturation (SpO2) of ≤ 88%.

The landmark trials supporting long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) demonstrated a survival benefit specifically for patients with severe resting hypoxemia. Current GOLD guidelines recommend initiating LTOT for patients with a resting PaO2 ≤ 55 mmHg or a resting SpO2 ≤ 88%, with or without hypercapnia.

A COPD educator is teaching a patient the 'huff cough' technique for airway clearance. Which instruction is a key part of this maneuver?

Answer: "After a deep breath, exhale forcefully while making a 'ha, ha, ha' sound."

The huff cough, or forced expiration technique, involves taking a medium to deep breath and then contracting the abdominal muscles to force the air out in short, sharp exhalations with an open glottis, often making a 'ha' or 'huff' sound. This is less fatiguing than a traditional cough and more effective at moving mucus from the smaller airways.