PATHOPHYSIOLOGY & CONCEPT MAP

PREDISPOSING FACTORS PRECIPITATING FACTORS

Hereditary (AAT deficiency) Sedentary life style

Genetics Viral of bacterial infections
Aging Cigarette smoking
Age (75 years old) Exposure to air pollution and chemicals
Respiratory infections

Etiology – COPD is a preventable and treatable slowly progressive respiratory disease of airflow obstruction
involving the airways, pulmonary parenchyma, or both. The airflow limitation or obstruction in COPD is not
fully reversible. COPD is characterized by excess mucus production, destruction of ciliary function, alveolar
walls by irritants in cigarette smoking, air pollution, hereditary and genetic predisposition (Alpha-1
Antitrypsin Deficiency).

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency (AAT),

Characterized by airflow limitation that is not
Cigarette Smoke, Environmental Factors
fully reversible
Destroys alveolar elastic fiber
(elasteolysis)
Decreased elastic recoil of the
Cigarette Smoking, Air Pollution alveoli
Air sacs become damaged and
stretched
Inflammatory Response: Release of
Emphysema
cytokines and chemokines
Impaired oxygen and
carbon dioxide exchange
Bronchial Inflammation or spasm

Increased in the Impaired

number of goblet Impaired ciliary macrophage
cell function activity

Increased Reduces
Mucus Increases
mucus
Clearance risk for
production
infection
 Hypoxemia Hypercapnia

Thick mucus and inflamed bronchi narrow the

Clubbing of Respiratory Acidosis
bronchial lumen obstruct the airways during
expiration fingers

High pressure in the Pulmonary

pulmonary arteries and hypertension (Cor.
Chronic Bronchitis
Right Ventricle Pulmonale)

Reduced
Reduce d Increased Hyperinfla
alveolar PCO2 It can result to dependent edema, distended neck
PO2 tion
ventilation veins, or pain in the region of the liver

Hypoxemia Activity Intolerance Nursing Management

Administermedicationsas
indicated(Corticosteroids,
Bronchodilators, Antibiotics)
Assist in breathing exercises
Signs and Symptoms
Improve General Health
Signs Remove bronchial sections
 Shortness of breath
 Clubbing of fingers
 Chronic/Productive cough
 Dyspnea
 Cyanosis around lips
 Prolonged expiration
 Use of accessory muscles
Medical Management
 Wheezing
 Orthopneic Position
 Pursed lip breathing Administer medications as indicated
 Decreased PaO2 (Corticosteroids, Bronchodilators, Antibiotics,
 Increased PaCO2
 Fever
Oxygenation)
 Excess mucus production

Symptoms
 Fatigue and weakness
 Tightness in chest
Legend
 Breathlessness
White Disease Process
Red Signs and Symptoms
Green Nursing Management
Blue Medical Management
Yellow Precipitating Factors
Gray Predisposing Factors