Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: Evidence Based Nursing Research

RUNNING HEAD: EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 1
Evidence Based Nursing Research
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EVIDENCE BASED NURSING RESEARCH 2
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Overview
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a universal term that is usually used to
describe an array of diseases that affect the lungs. The particular disease include emphysema,
chronic bronchitis and finally the refractory asthma (Gao & Taniguchi, 2014). The underlining
characteristic of the disease however is increased breathlessness. It is very unfortunate that the
disease is progressive and has no cure. With the correct diagnosis and treatment however, the
condition can be managed well to improve breathing (Apps, Mukherjee, Abbas, Minter, &
Whitfield, 2016). In Emphysema for example, the alveoli are damaged and inelastic making it
difficult for air to move in and out. In chronic bronchitis, the bronchial airways get inflamed and
destruction of cilia which sweep mucus and make the airways clean (Apps, Mukherjee, Abbas,
Minter, & Whitfield, 2016). Mucus in turn build up and cause difficulties in breathing. In
Asthma, the airways tighten and swell. Below is a detailed PICOT statement based on COPD.
Population
The population that is at risk of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is the smoking
population. However, the population that get exposed to other irritants like chemicals are also
likely to suffer from the condition. This may include those people who work in industries that
deal with pesticides, fungicides and herbicides. Farmers are also at risk when spraying those
chemicals in their farms. This is to simply mean that any population that is exposed to substances
that can irritate the airways is at risk of the Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.
Intervention