Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) Projects
Access Control
Open Access
Degree Program
Doctor of Nursing Practice
Degree Track
Adult Gerontological Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP)
Year Degree Awarded
2019
DOI
https://doi.org/10.7275/14247234
Month Degree Awarded
May
Keywords
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), dyspnea, self-management, educational programs.
Advisor
Terrie Black, DNP, MBA, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN
DNP Project Chair
Terrie Black, DNP, MBA, CRRN, FAHA, FAAN
Abstract
Background: Patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) exacerbation are reported to have a decreased quality of life relating to their health. In 2015 it was reported that over three million COPD patients died as a result of their disease. Although COPD patients are receiving medication, they still struggle with dyspnea as they carry out their daily activities.
Purpose: To implement an evidence-based educational program to assist COPD patients in self-management of dyspnea.
Methods: The DNP student obtained consent from prospective participants and assigned a unique identifier, which included his or her first and last initial and three digits. A total of 15 participants completed the project. The evidence-based educational tools included inhaler technique, assessment of medication adherence using the Four-point Morisky Adherence Scale (MMA-4), the Modified Borg Scale for patients to assess the severity of their dyspnea, and the St George Respiratory Questionnaire-C for self-reporting of their quality of life. A booklet entitled “What You Can Do About a Lung Disease called COPD” was used for information and as a visual aid for inhaled medications, nebulizers and inhalers.
Results: The results indicate that the expected outcomes were met with the exception of the Activity score on the SGRQ-C which had an average of 75 (poorer health).
Conclusion: An evidence-based educational program that covered topics such as COPD, smoking cessation, medication adherence, inhaler techniques, and a written action plan for acute exacerbation is effective in avoiding dyspnea symptoms Bourbeau et al., 2017). The development of a Medical Home Model is highly recommended and would be beneficial to COPD patients who are elderly and or too ill to leave their homes.
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