Spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosis of COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7). A chest x-ray could be ordered to rule out co-morbidities.
Card: COPD 01
A 72 year old man presents to your clinic with a 8 month history of productive cough and wheeze on exertion. In the past 2 months the patient describes finding it difficult to keep up with their grandchildren. The patient is a current smoker, smoking one pack per day for the past 23 years. On exam, the patient is slightly barrel-chested, has fair air entry bilaterally with a prolonged expiratory phase. You suspect this patient has COPD.
Spirometry is the gold standard for diagnosis of COPD (FEV1/FVC <0.7). A chest x-ray could be ordered to rule out co-morbidities.
Card: COPD 01
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