Nursing Care of Patients with Recurrent Acute Exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: 2 Case Study.

Abstract

     This comparative descriptive case study aimed to examine the nursing process for two patients with recurrent acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) admitted to the male inpatient ward at Nong Ruea Hospital, Khon Kaen Province, from June 8 to 10, 2026. Data were collected from medical records, patient and family interviews, observation, physical examinations, laboratory tests, and radiological findings. The nursing process and Gordon's 11 Functional Health Patterns were used to assess patients, formulate nursing diagnoses, plan nursing interventions, and evaluate outcomes.

     The results showed that both patients presented with dyspnea, cough, and sputum production but had different precipitating factors. Case 1 had chronic cigarette smoking as a major contributing factor, whereas Case 2 had pneumonia with comorbidities, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and dyslipidemia. Nursing care covered the critical, semi-critical, and rehabilitation phases, focusing on preventing respiratory failure, promoting airway clearance, monitoring infection and comorbidities, supporting self-management, and discharge planning. Both patients showed clinical improvement, were successfully weaned from oxygen therapy, did not develop acute respiratory failure, and were discharged home.