graphic and medical profile of these patients, extensive evaluation of a given patient is required in order to become a candidate for one of these procedures, which are performed only in major medical centers. With respect to lung volume reduction surgery, the current selection criteria are very restrictive; only 20-40 percent of COPD patients considered have qualified in the past. Restrictive selection criteria are also used for those having lung transplantation with these criteria sometimes varying from medical center to medical center.
Glaspole et. al (2000) state that selection criteria are derived in an attempt to reduce the risk of post-operative complications. These complications, according to Lewis (2000) include: pneumonia, right ventricular heart failure, and respiratory failure. Physical measures conducted to determine who may fit selection criteria include assessments of arterial blood gases, prednisolone use, pulmonary function tests, 6-minute walk test, and anesthetic time. As age increases, the authors report, so does the risk of complications with people over 65 being especially vulnerable. Another risk is the amount of anesthetic time required with longer times being associated with greater risk.
The risk of postoperative complications leading to mortality and morbidity in patients who, otherwise, might have lived as the result of surgery makes it imperative for nurses to have a thorough understanding of interventions associated with preventing postoperative complications in COPD and provides the justification for this paper's focus on a discussion of these interventions.
Topics covered in the paper include: COPD education, exercises of upper and lower extremities, breathing exercises, and psychosocial support. The paper ends with the development of conclusions based on the reviewed research and personal consideration of how the writer might use this information as part of nursing practice.
In terms of...