Objectives 1. Clinical diagnosis of COPD exacerbation 2. Principles of initial management 3. Assessing the clinical response 4. Principles of managing refractory exacerbation 1. Clinical diagnosis of COPD exacerbation Patients usually present with increasing SOB. If the precipitant is an infection, they may also have productive cough with yellowish sputum, fever, anorexia, pleuritic chest pain In patients with advanced COPD there will be Features of hyperinflation - Barrel shape, impaired cardiac and liver dullness Features of Cor-pulmonale - Elevated JVP, Edema, Tender hepatomegaly Generalized wasting Look for features of hypoxia - Cyanosis Look for features of CO2 retention - Flapping tremors, Bounding pulses 2. Principles of initial management These patients need HDU care. Patient should be propped up and attached to a monitor. Oxygen therapy Should be administered cautiously. In patients with long standing COPD, especially if they have fea...