George Polaris is a 62 year old Italian man who initially presented to shortness of breath, fever and a productive cough which was initially treated for a chest infection. Later, after a series of respiratory tests came back with diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). A chronic illness like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a condition that difficult to live with as it is not reversible but can be managed by certain medications, exercises and reducing risk for further damage (Tabatabai & Gruber, 2017). For George, he has one concern within the case study, this is that he smokes which will further exacerbate the COPD. After exploring this, other potential concerns will be discussed. After being diagnosed with something
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Even though a diagnosis of COPD can be intimidating it is still possible to live a fairly normal life if you receive appropriate education on how to manage and prevent further damage. For George, smoking would be one of the major concerns as it has been proven that further damage can be done. In best interests for minimising further damage and to optimise his health it would be encouraged that George reduced the number of cigarettes he smokes per day or quits smoking all together. Smoking is known to cause flare ups which will result in more hospital admissions and emergency room visits (Faner, Gonzlez, Cruz, Kalko, & Agusti, 2014). By reducing the number or quitting all together it would allow George to increase the self-management of his condition as well as optimise his own health. Smoking is not only a risk factor for a condition like COPD but for a large amount of illness and diseases. In Georges current vital signs, it shows the blood pressure at 135/88mmHg which is slightly above what the recommended level is, it also shows that Georges pulse is sitting around the 100 beats per minute. It has been proved by quitting smoking the heart rate slow and blood pressure becomes more stable within 6 hours of quitting. BY doing this it will not only reduce the risk of further …show more content…
In Georges case, the decision to quit smoking has been made and a plan need to be put into place to allow this to happen. Quitting smoking can be a difficult road but it is reachable. For George, it has been statistics shown that reduced cigarettes down before cutting them out has been more successful (Icanquit, 2016). This is because it allows the body to adjust to the lower levels of nicotine within the body. This process would not be over days would ever weeks or maybe even months, this is because nicotine is an addictive substance, and the chance of relapsing is high, however slowly cutting down slowly over weeks or months would allow the body to process and stop it from going into withdrawals (Stead, Carroll, Lancaster, 2017). It would be suggested that maybe group therapy, such as QUIT Smoking Cessation Group or other similar groups could also reduce the risk of a relapse as surrounding himself with people trying to quit will encourage him to do the same (Living Positive Victoria, 2017). If a period in time did come up where the cravings were getting too much it is suggested instead of going for cigarettes something like patches or spray to be used instead. This is a better alternative as the body will still be receiving nicotine would not causing damage to the body (Quit Smoking Community, 2017). For someone like George, who has smoked for a long time, quitting is not going
Even though a diagnosis of COPD can be intimidating it is still possible to live a fairly normal life if you receive appropriate education on how to manage and prevent further damage. For George, smoking would be one of the major concerns as it has been proven that further damage can be done. In best interests for minimising further damage and to optimise his health it would be encouraged that George reduced the number of cigarettes he smokes per day or quits smoking all together. Smoking is known to cause flare ups which will result in more hospital admissions and emergency room visits (Faner, Gonzlez, Cruz, Kalko, & Agusti, 2014). By reducing the number or quitting all together it would allow George to increase the self-management of his condition as well as optimise his own health. Smoking is not only a risk factor for a condition like COPD but for a large amount of illness and diseases. In Georges current vital signs, it shows the blood pressure at 135/88mmHg which is slightly above what the recommended level is, it also shows that Georges pulse is sitting around the 100 beats per minute. It has been proved by quitting smoking the heart rate slow and blood pressure becomes more stable within 6 hours of quitting. BY doing this it will not only reduce the risk of further …show more content…
In Georges case, the decision to quit smoking has been made and a plan need to be put into place to allow this to happen. Quitting smoking can be a difficult road but it is reachable. For George, it has been statistics shown that reduced cigarettes down before cutting them out has been more successful (Icanquit, 2016). This is because it allows the body to adjust to the lower levels of nicotine within the body. This process would not be over days would ever weeks or maybe even months, this is because nicotine is an addictive substance, and the chance of relapsing is high, however slowly cutting down slowly over weeks or months would allow the body to process and stop it from going into withdrawals (Stead, Carroll, Lancaster, 2017). It would be suggested that maybe group therapy, such as QUIT Smoking Cessation Group or other similar groups could also reduce the risk of a relapse as surrounding himself with people trying to quit will encourage him to do the same (Living Positive Victoria, 2017). If a period in time did come up where the cravings were getting too much it is suggested instead of going for cigarettes something like patches or spray to be used instead. This is a better alternative as the body will still be receiving nicotine would not causing damage to the body (Quit Smoking Community, 2017). For someone like George, who has smoked for a long time, quitting is not going