Nursing Care Plan for COPD
Also searched as: chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
🎓 Educational example. Adapt to your patient and have your instructor review it. Not medical advice.
Chronic airflow limitation with impaired gas exchange. Nursing care supports oxygenation, airway clearance, and energy conservation.
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Assessment
- Subjective: chronic cough, dyspnea, sputum, fatigue
- Objective: wheezes/diminished breath sounds, prolonged expiration, low SpO₂, barrel chest, pursed-lip breathing
Nursing diagnoses
As evidenced by: dyspnea, low SpO₂, abnormal breath sounds
Goals / expected outcomes
- The patient will maintain SpO₂ within the ordered range (often 88–92% in COPD) and report easier breathing.
Nursing interventions & rationale
| Intervention | Rationale |
|---|---|
| Monitor respiratory status and SpO₂; use controlled low-flow oxygen per order. | Excess O₂ in COPD can worsen CO2 retention, mainly by altering V/Q matching and via the Haldane effect, with reduced hypoxic drive playing a smaller role — titrate carefully to the 88–92% target. |
| Administer bronchodilators/steroids as prescribed. | Opens airways and reduces inflammation. |
| Teach pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing and energy conservation. | Improves ventilation and reduces work of breathing. |
| Encourage hydration, activity as tolerated, and smoking cessation. | Thins secretions and slows disease progression. |
Evaluation
- SpO₂ in target range
- Reports easier breathing
- Demonstrates breathing technique
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Build a care plan free Preview Pro (coming soon)Nursing diagnoses used in COPD
COPD care plan: FAQ
What is the nursing diagnosis for COPD?
Common nursing diagnoses include: Impaired gas exchange related to airflow limitation and air trapping. Choose the one your patient's assessment data supports.
What are nursing interventions for COPD?
Key interventions: Monitor respiratory status and SpO₂; use controlled low-flow oxygen per order.; Administer bronchodilators/steroids as prescribed.; Teach pursed-lip and diaphragmatic breathing and energy conservation. — each paired with a rationale.
Can I use this care plan for my assignment?
Use it as a study example and starting draft. Always adapt it to your specific patient and have it reviewed by your instructor. This is an educational tool, not medical advice.
For nursing education only — NOT medical advice and not a clinical decision-making tool. Nothing here should be used to assess, diagnose, or treat any real patient. Care plans and answers are unverified study drafts to review with your instructor or a licensed clinician and adapt to the individual patient and your institution’s protocols before any use.
Last reviewed 2026-07. Educational content based on standard nursing practice; not medical advice and not affiliated with NANDA-I/NIC/NOC. Always follow your institution's protocols and your instructor's guidance.