Emphysema: In a Nutshell (Nursing)

00:00 So let's wrap up this video. Emphysema is a chronic condition and it causes destruction of the alveolar walls. Remember that's different than chronic bronchitis which is gunked up, emphysema is blown up. Now because of this blown-up walls, emphysema causes air trapping and patients can minimize the effect of this with pursed lip breathing that extends the exhale time. Now in extensive COPD, the lungs become hyperinflated and they have chronic air trapping and that's why they become hyperinflated and they can develop a barrel chest.

00:35 They're just as wide as they are deep. Now treatment options include oxygen, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, good hydration and nutrition, energy conservation, and in rare cases lung volume reduction surgery. Remember, there are 4 things you want to specifically watch for for late-stage complications. That's pulmonary hypertension, cor pulmonale, recurrent respiratory infections, and chronic respiratory failure. Thank you for watching our video today.