Assignment task:
75year-old William Collins, was admitted to your emergency room for an exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). You find him sitting at the side of the bed leaning forward with both arms on the bedside tray. He complains he is having shortness of breath that he is unable to control with his usual medications. His son is with him at bedside because his wife is unable to come with him due to dialysis. Provide an overview of the pathophysiology of the disease. What additional assessment findings would you look for? What lab abnormalities would you expect to see? What diagnostics would you anticipate the healthcare team ordering?