Palliative care in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

This article considers the place of palliative and end of life care in the management of people with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This respiratory disease has considerable morbidity and mortality, which affect patients, their families and carers, and healthcare provision. Many nurses working with older people will encounter patients with advancing COPD which may be their main problem or part of multiple comorbidities. This article aims to help nurses recognise declining respiratory status and understand the challenges faced by this particular group of patients, their families and carers. It follows recommendations that end of life care should be considered and dealt with in this group of patients (Department of Health 2008, National Clinical Guideline Centre 2010). It explores palliation and end of life and then considers more practical applications to support nursing care at the end stage of the disease.