Course ID: AB0489

 With E. Rand Sutherland, MD, MPH, FCCP; hosted by Leo C. Rotello, MD, FCCP, FCCM, FACP

In this clinical discussion, E. Rand Sutherland, MD, MPH, FCCP, will update you on recent COPD research and treatment guidelines and help you consider how this information may be applied to clinical practice to obtain better outcomes for patients with COPD.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 60 minutes.

Course ID: AB0490

Reviewed by David G. Fulghum, MSN, APRN, BC, RRT

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is currently the fourth leading cause of death in the United States, and it is projected to be the third leading cause of death—in both men and women—by 2020. Therefore, concerted effort is needed to slow the increase and reduce mortality. Effective treatment of COPD requires a thorough understanding of when to prescribe pharmacologic therapies and how to deliver them, when pulmonary rehabilitation is most beneficial, and when admission is warranted to manage an exacerbation. This comprehensive course presents the current best practices for managing many facets of COPD, as it gives you an extensive practical toolkit that you can use--beginning today--to improve the care of your patients with COPD.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 60 minutes.

Course ID: AB0491

Reviewed by Catherine “Casey” S. Jones, RN, MSN, ANP-C, AE-C

This interactive course will help you address the problem of underdiagnosis in COPD by clearly defining what it is and what it is not, by presenting known and emerging risk factors, and by discussing the demographic variations among patients who present with COPD. Contrary to popular belief, COPD affects both men and women, middle-aged and elderly, as well as smokers and nonsmokers.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

Course ID: AB0492

Reviewed by Catherine “Casey” S. Jones, RN, MSN, ANP-C, AE-C

Accurate diagnosis and staging of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) begins with a thorough patient history focusing on specific risks and symptoms, complete physical examination to detect signs of disease, judicious testing to confirm your findings, and guideline-based treatment of COPD and any related comorbidities. The SOAP notes with which you are already familiar provide a useful framework for remembering and organizing the essential aspects of your workup for COPD. These notes allow you to clearly and efficiently document and communicate your clinical findings, to exercise your clinical problem-solving skills, and to formulate your differential diagnosis and a diagnostic and treatment plan. This immediately applicable course will aid you in providing a consistent and comprehensive standard of care for your patients with COPD by using subjective data, objective observations, assessment, analysis, and a plan for treatment (SOAP).

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

Course ID: AB0493

Reviewed by Susan B. Blonshine, RRT, RPFT, FAARC, AE-C

The patient’s history and physical examination are the essential first steps for identifying chronic obstruction pulmonary disease (COPD). However, spirometry is the gold standard for confirming the diagnosis of COPD. Spirometry is a simple and cost-effective test that can be used in both outpatient and inpatient settings to initially diagnose COPD, to assess treatment responses, and to monitor disease progression over time. All healthcare professionals who care for patients with COPD should have access to spirometry or to a referral center where spirometry can be performed. This instructive interactive course demonstrates how to correctly perform spirometry and discusses what results you should expect and how to interpret them.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

Course ID: AB0494

Reviewed by John Hollingsworth, PA-C, RRT

Most patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) will present with or develop one or more comorbidities. Conditions such as asthma, allergy, sleep apnea, osteoporosis, cardiovascular disease, gastroesophageal reflux disease, malnutrition, and others can exacerbate the symptoms of COPD, and vice versa. Therefore, effective care requires a broad-minded approach to treating the whole patient rather than the various conditions in isolation. Beyond standard pharmacologic therapy and treating comorbid illness, comprehensive COPD care may also involve pulmonary rehabilitation, education, and oxygen therapy. This course will assist you in meeting these everyday challenges.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 30 minutes.

Course ID: AB0495

Reviewed by Timothy Byrum, CRNP

Smoking cessation is critical for effective long-term management of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Smoking cessation can help prevent acute exacerbations and slow disease progression over time. According to the American Lung Association, cigarette smoking is associated with 20% of all deaths in the United States, including those due to cancer, cardiovascular disease, COPD, and other airway conditions. As many as 70% of individuals who smoke visit a primary-care provider each year. These visits provide ideal opportunities to educate patients about the urgent need to stop smoking and to offer support and encouragement as they do so. Perhaps the most important health promotion intervention you can offer your patients is to help them stop smoking. This interactive course provides you with practical tools and additional resources for discussing and managing smoking cessation in collaboration with your patients.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 15 minutes.

Course ID: AB0496

Written By Margaret Lester, RN, MSN, FNP, AE-C

In this interactive and informative Case in Review, Margaret Lester, RN, MSN, FNP, AE-C will present a patient scenario based on her real-life experiences in managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) as part of office-based care. Step by step from initial presentation to follow-up, she guides you through the critical steps of assessing the patient’s risk factors, making the diagnosis, planning and administering treatment, and providing ongoing care. As she present details of the case, you can test your knowledge in each of these areas. For help, you can visit the medical library to review current clinical-practice guidelines and other resources. The course gives you the opportunity to hone your skills and then apply them in your daily practice.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 60 minutes.

Course ID: AB0497

Reviewed by Margaret Lester, RN, MSN, FNP, AE-C; Moderator: Wendy Wright, MS, RN, ARNP, FNP

In this recording of a live Web Workshop, Margaret Lester, RN, MSN, FNP, AE-C, uses a problem-based learning approach to present a real-life case scenario. As the details of the case unfolds, you have the chance to share your expertise.

Participation in this self-study activity should be completed in approximately 60 minutes.

Editorial Notes

Additional COPD Education and Awareness

Putting the Spotlight on ‘Kopid’