Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Contact Hours: 5.0

ACPE UAN: 0384-9999-23-021-H01-T

This CPE activity has been designated as a knowledge-based program.

Goals & Objectives:

At the completion of this activity participants should be able to: 

• Identify a variety of environmental exposures that may predispose individuals to developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Inform about COPD features, including pathophysiology, presentation, risk factors, lung function trajectories, exacerbations, and comorbidities.
• Outline spirometry considerations regarding COPD, including its process, utility, application, and cautions.
• Provide an explanation of COPD symptom assessment, including GOLD ABE recommendations and how they are integrated with treatment.
• List pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to COPD treatment.
• Emphasize the importance of smoking cessation in COPD management. ?
• Discuss smoking cessation strategies and pharmacotherapy.
• Detail bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids in COPD treatment.
• Apply guidelines for initial and follow-up COPD management.
• Highlight the importance of reviewing medication use at each patient visit (dose, inhaler technique, adherence, accessibility, adverse effects).
• Describe the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD management.
• Spotlight the role of oxygen and ventilatory support in COPD management.
• Name recommended vaccines for patients with COPD and their importance.
• Review less-common therapies for COPD that may be considered.
• Anticipate and address challenges of COPD management.
• Provide COPD self-management patient education (risk reduction, lifestyle, medication use, other treatments, breathing exercises, and action plan).
• Devise patient tactics for reducing risk and exposure to COPD irritants and aggravating factors.
• Explain the management of COPD exacerbations, including assessment, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, respiratory support, transitions of care, and hospital discharge follow-up.
• Speak on the significance of hospital readmission prevention of COPD exacerbations.
• Key in on benefits of COPD advance care planning and palliative support.
• Mention treatment options in patients with severe/advanced COPD.
• Touch on treatment approaches of future research interest.
• Address comorbidities which may overlap or influence COPD progression.

Release Date:  05/30/2023

Expiration Date: 05/30/2026