Management of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) – 5 Hours

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is the 3rd leading cause of death worldwide and is a preventable and treatable heterogeneous lung condition. Smoking accounts for more than 70% of COPD cases in high-income countries. The risk of mortality from COPD increases significantly in the first year after readmission within 30 days. This comprehensive course is developed to help health care team members stay up to date with COPD prevention and treatment recommendations.

Upon completion of this course, pharmacists and pharmacy technicians will be able to: 

• Identify a variety of environmental exposures that may predispose individuals to developing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
• Inform about COPD features, including pathophysiology, presentation, risk factors, lung function trajectories, exacerbations, and comorbidities.
• Outline spirometry considerations regarding COPD, including its process, utility, application, and cautions.
• Provide an explanation of COPD symptom assessment, including GOLD ABE recommendations and how they are integrated with treatment.
• List pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic approaches to COPD treatment.
• Emphasize the importance of smoking cessation in COPD management.
• Discuss smoking cessation strategies and pharmacotherapy.
• Detail bronchodilators and inhaled corticosteroids in COPD treatment.
• Apply guidelines for initial and follow-up COPD management.
• Highlight the importance of reviewing medication use at each patient visit (dose, inhaler technique, adherence, accessibility, adverse effects).
• Describe the importance of pulmonary rehabilitation in COPD management.
• Spotlight the role of oxygen and ventilatory support in COPD management.
• Name recommended vaccines for patients with COPD and their importance.
• Review less-common therapies for COPD that may be considered.
• Anticipate and address challenges of COPD management.
• Provide COPD self-management patient education (risk reduction, lifestyle, medication use, other treatments, breathing exercises, and action plan).
• Devise patient tactics for reducing risk and exposure to COPD irritants and aggravating factors.
• Explain the management of COPD exacerbations, including assessment, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, respiratory support, transitions of care, and hospital discharge follow-up.
• Speak on the significance of hospital readmission prevention of COPD exacerbations.
• Key in on benefits of COPD advance care planning and palliative support.
• Mention treatment options in patients with severe/advanced COPD.
• Touch on treatment approaches of future research interest.

Author: Jennifer Kim, PharmD, BCPS, BCACP, BC-ADM

Contact Hours: 5 Hours 

Activity Type: Knowledge-Based Home Study 

Instructional Methods:  Online Independent Self-Study (Training + Post-Test)

Target Audience: Pharmacists & Pharmacy Technicians 

Cost: $25 / Participant

UAN: Pharmacist: 0384-9999-23-021-H01-P Technicians: 0384-9999-23-021-H01-T

Release Date: 05/30/2023               Expiration Date: 05/30/2026

Course Completion Certificate:  A minimum passing score of 70% is required for course completion. A Printable (PDF) Certificate By Email. Credit will be reported to CPE monitor within 30 days of completion.

National Pharmacy Technician Association (NPTA) is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education as a provider of continuing education.

Biologix Solutions LLC is approved as a Joint Provider of continuing pharmacy education by NPTA. Approval

Disclaimers: Philip Gregory has no actual or potential conflict of interest in relation to this program. This program received no commercial support and has been peer-reviewed to ensure non-commercialization.

Cancellation / Refund Policy:  By completing your purchase from Biologix Solutions LLC through PayPal, you agree that you are purchasing digital, non-tangible product / service / training courses, and as such are not entitled to a refund once accessed. If you have any questions, please feel to contact us by phone or email before purchasing online course.