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Published on: August 24, 2019
Functional assessment of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
1College of Nursing, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA. cdowns@nursing.arizona.edu
Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners
|April 15, 2011
Summary
Assessing functional capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) involves various methods. Understanding these assessments, including exercise testing, is crucial for managing COPD patients and improving their quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Pulmonary Medicine
- Cardiorespiratory Fitness
Background:
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) affects millions, causing significant physical and psychological distress.
- Irreversible airflow limitation and dyspnea are hallmarks of COPD, leading to reduced exercise capacity and functional status.
Purpose of the Study:
- To outline current methods for assessing functional capacity in individuals with COPD.
- To emphasize the importance of functional assessment for healthcare providers managing COPD patients.
Main Methods:
- Extensive literature review to gather relevant information.
- Overview of pulmonary function testing, exercise testing, and self-report measures.
Main Results:
- Functional assessment in COPD includes pulmonary function tests, exercise tests, and anthropometric/self-report measures.
- Discussion covers indications and contraindications for exercise testing in COPD patients.
Conclusions:
- Understanding functional assessment methods is vital for clinicians caring for COPD patients.
- A comprehensive assessment of functional ability is clinically significant for managing COPD.
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