Effective dyspnea management strategies identified by elders with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
The study's purpose was to identify dyspnea management strategies (DMS) perceived most effective by elders with end-stage chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). The mixed-method design also incorporated triangulation to compare results between qualitative and quantitative data. Specific DMS were selected and percentage effectiveness was rated. Four strategy categories emerged as most useful: changing activity, relaxation, inhaled medication use, and breathing pattern alteration. Gender differences in preferred DMS were revealed. All participants (N = 30) preferred to use multiple strategies for effective dyspnea management; therefore, health care providers should consider employing individualized combinations of DMS when assisting elders with end-stage COPD during acute exacerbations of dyspnea.
Department of Adult and Elderly Nursing, University of Florida College of Nursing, Gainesville, FL, USA. thomala@ufl.edu
Loris A
LA
Thomas
D000368:Aged; D004417:Dyspnea / Q000628:therapy*; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D029424:Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive / Q000150:complications / Q000503:physiopathology*; D012720:Severity of Illness Index