Derrick is a 72-year-old man who is attending a hospital emergency department with increased shortness of breath. This is due to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Assessment on arrival at hospital: Respiratory rate = 32 breaths per minute Oxygen saturation level = 89% on 2 litres Oxygen via nasal specs Symptoms began approximately two days ago and have progressively worsened Appears to be tearful and anxious about being in hospital and his shortness of breath, but does not appear able to express his feelings on this Derrick tells a nurse that he has recently been told that he has 12 months left of his life Previous Medical History: COPD, Hypertension, Anxiety [No known drug allergies], Derrick was diagnosed with COPD ten years ago Derrick’s COPD has recently been classified at Stage 4 and he has 2 litres of Oxygen therapy at home Derrick is an ex-smoker. He was smoking up to 30 cigarettes a day but quit five years ago Derrick is experiencing more frequent admissions to hospital. Most recently, Derrick was admitted to hospital one month ago and three months ago, each time he spent four days in hospital. Derrick wishes to now be cared for at home. He currently lives with his daughter Susan, who is his main carer, after his wife died last year. Derrick has been finding it more difficult to attend to activities of daily living due to becoming easily short of breath and has had increasing anxiety. Health Problem: Derrick has increased shortness of breath as a result of an acute exacerbation of his COPD Discuss the physical impact of one of the health conditions in relation to this case study

Derrick is a 72-year-old man who is attending a hospital emergency department with increased shortness of breath. This is due to an acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

Assessment on arrival at hospital:

• Respiratory rate = 32 breaths per minute
• Oxygen saturation level = 89% on 2 litres Oxygen via nasal specs
• Symptoms began approximately two days ago and have progressively worsened
• Appears to be tearful and anxious about being in hospital and his shortness of breath, but does not appear able to express his feelings on this
• Derrick tells a nurse that he has recently been told that he has 12 months left of his life

Previous Medical History: COPD, Hypertension, Anxiety [No known drug allergies],

• Derrick was diagnosed with COPD ten years ago
• Derrick’s COPD has recently been classified at Stage 4 and he has 2 litres of Oxygen therapy at home
• Derrick is an ex-smoker. He was smoking up to 30 cigarettes a day but quit five years ago
• Derrick is experiencing more frequent admissions to hospital. Most recently, Derrick was admitted to hospital one month ago and three months ago, each time he spent four days in hospital.
• Derrick wishes to now be cared for at home. He currently lives with his daughter Susan, who is his main carer, after his wife died last year. Derrick has been finding it more difficult to attend to activities of daily living due to becoming easily short of breath and has had increasing anxiety.

Health Problem:

• Derrick has increased shortness of breath as a result of an acute exacerbation of his COPD

Discuss the physical impact of one of the health conditions in relation to this case study