ABSTRACT
This chapter presents a case study of a 71-year-old man who is brought to the Emergency Department as a 'priority call' with a 3-day history of shortness of breath. The patient is experiencing an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), most probably triggered by an infection. COPD is a disorder characterised by irreversible airflow obstruction, and patients are vulnerable to suffering exacerbations, clinical features of which include worsening dyspnoea and cough, and a change in sputum production or colour. Acute management of a COPD exacerbation should follow the 'ABCDE' algorithm. Supplemental oxygen should be provided in a controlled manner, with the aim of keeping O2 saturations between 88" and 92". In this patient, antibiotics should be commenced given the likelihood of an infective exacerbation; antibiotic choice is guided by local policies but normally comprises of a penicillin and macrolide or doxycycline.
