COPD — NCLEX Cheat Sheet
Chronic airflow obstructionAlso known as: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease · emphysema · chronic bronchitis
Use this quick-reference guide to spot, treat, and prevent COPD on the NCLEX. Keep it handy during review and on exam day!
🩺📒 The 1-minute cheat sheet
🩺 Signs
- Barrel chest, pursed-lip breath
- ↑ CO2 retention, chronic cough
- Clubbing, prolonged expiration
✅ Do
- Low-flow O2 1–2 L NC
- Tripod position, pursed lips
- Small frequent meals, ↑ cal
📌 Avoid
- High O2 → kills resp drive
- SpO2 target 88–92%
🧪 Meds
- Bronchodilators, steroids
- Flu/pneumonia vaccines, quit smoke
📚 COPD — full study notes
The cheat sheet above is your quick recall card. These notes go deeper — what it is, what to do first, what must be reported, and what to teach.
Key points
Understand these first- Dyspnea, chronic productive cough, prolonged expiration, wheezing
- Barrel chest, use of accessory muscles, pursed-lip breathing
- Chronic CO₂ retention; baseline SpO₂ may sit around 88–92%
- Polycythemia (high RBCs) can develop from chronic hypoxia
Nursing priorities
What to do, in order- Give low-flow oxygen (1–2 L/min) — high O₂ can suppress the hypoxic drive
- Position in high-Fowler's or tripod; teach pursed-lip breathing
- Encourage fluids to thin secretions; pace activities to conserve energy
- Bronchodilators then inhaled steroids; ensure pneumonia/flu vaccines
Red flags — report now
Escalate immediately- Rising confusion/somnolence may signal CO₂ narcosis — do not over-oxygenate
- Avoid high-flow O₂ unless the client is in acute, monitored distress
Labs & values
Numbers to know- ABG: chronic respiratory acidosis with compensation; target SpO₂ 88–92%
Patient teaching
What patients must know- Stop smoking; use pursed-lip breathing; get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia
❓ COPD: NCLEX FAQs
What are the priority nursing interventions for COPD?
Give low-flow oxygen (1–2 L/min) — high O₂ can suppress the hypoxic drive. Position in high-Fowler's or tripod; teach pursed-lip breathing. Encourage fluids to thin secretions; pace activities to conserve energy. Bronchodilators then inhaled steroids; ensure pneumonia/flu vaccines.
What are the warning signs of COPD a nurse must report?
Rising confusion/somnolence may signal CO₂ narcosis — do not over-oxygenate. Avoid high-flow O₂ unless the client is in acute, monitored distress.
What do I need to know about COPD for the NCLEX?
Dyspnea, chronic productive cough, prolonged expiration, wheezing. Barrel chest, use of accessory muscles, pursed-lip breathing. Chronic CO₂ retention; baseline SpO₂ may sit around 88–92%. Polycythemia (high RBCs) can develop from chronic hypoxia.
What patient teaching is important for COPD?
Stop smoking; use pursed-lip breathing; get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia.
Quick Tip
Dyspnea, chronic productive cough, prolonged expiration, wheezing.
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