Nursing Care of Dyspnea: The 6th Vital Sign in Individuals with ...

Nursing Care of Dyspnea: The 6th Vital Sign in Individuals with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)FVC (forced vital capacity in liters): The maximal volume of air exhaled using maximaleffort following maximal inspiration. The normal range is higher than 80% of the predicted value.FEV 1 (forced expiratory volume in one second in liters): The volume of air exhaledduring the first second. This is the most important measurement for following obstructive lungdisease and determines the severity of airway obstruction. The normal range is 80% of the predictedvalue. The normal rate of decline in lung function due to aging is about 30 ml. of FEV 1 per year inadults. Patients who smoke in whom COPD is developing have decreases in FEV 1 of 60 - 120 ml./year.FEV 1 /FVC Ratio: The ratio is used to detect airways obstruction. As a rule of thumb, a ratio of lessthan 70% indicates an obstructive disorder in middle-aged adults. The spirometer should calculatethe exact lower limit of the normal range for other ages.Hypercapnia: A term used to indicate an increase in the normal amounts of carbon dioxide in the blood.Hypoxemia: A term describing a decrease in arterial oxygen tension in the blood or insufficientoxygenation of the blood.Hypoxia: A broad term used to indicate an inadequate supply of oxygen at the cellular level ordecreased concentration of oxygen in the inspired air.Metered Dose Inhaler (MDI): A hand activated device used for delivering an aerosolizedmedication to the lung.Pulmonary Rehabilitation: An art of medical practice wherein an individually tailored,multidisciplinary program is formulated which through accurate diagnosis, therapy, emotionalsupport and education, stabilizes or reverses both the physio- and psychopathology of pulmonarydiseases and attempts to return the patient to the highest possible functional capacity allowed byhis/her pulmonary handicap and overall life situation (American Association of Cardiovascular and PulmonaryRehabilitation, 1993; American College of Chest Physicians & American Association of Cardiovascular PulmonaryRehabilitation Guidelines Panel, 1997).Relievers: Relievers are medications that are used to relieve COPD symptoms and to prevent COPDsymptoms prior to exercise, exposure to cold air or triggers. See Beta 2 agonists and Bronchodilators.92