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Suggest Treatment For Cough And Congestion In A Patient With COPD
79 year old male hx of COPD from smoking which he discontinued 17 years ago, well controlled on Spiriva inhaler. Walks for exercise daily for 45minutes. Presents with upper respiratory symptoms for one week. cough, congestion but not much SOB. No fever. Vitals are normal except O2 sat is 88% on room air. Do I work it up further with chest xray? CBC? Admit?
Tue, 10 Mar 2015
Hi,
In COPD patents,oxygen saturation 88% is not bad at all.
If he is having cough with congestion then you may go for routine blood investigation and chest-xray to rule out any other infective pathology of lungs.
You may require antibiotics (quinolones or cephalosporins) with bronchodilators (beta agonists like salbutamol,anticholinergics like ipra tropium bromide) to get relieved from this congestion with continuing simultaneously treatment of COPD.
So,you consult your pulmonologist or treating physician for further treatment.
In COPD patents,oxygen saturation 88% is not bad at all.
If he is having cough with congestion then you may go for routine blood investigation and chest-xray to rule out any other infective pathology of lungs.
You may require antibiotics (quinolones or cephalosporins) with bronchodilators (beta agonists like salbutamol,anticholinergics like ipra tropium bromide) to get relieved from this congestion with continuing simultaneously treatment of COPD.
So,you consult your pulmonologist or treating physician for further treatment.
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