4.1 Nursing practice
Recommendations for nursing practice are statements of best practice directed at the practice of healthcare professionals
that are evidence-based. Some nursing practice recommendations discussed in the guideline include: acknowledgement
and acceptance of client’s self-reported level of dyspnea, appropriate assessment of dyspnea related to COPD,
identification of stable and unstable dyspnea and acute respiratory failure, appropriate screening of individuals most likely
to be affected by COPD, advocacy of spirometric testing to establish early diagnosis in at risk individuals, implementation
of appropriate nursing interventions for all levels of dyspnea, appropriate administration of medications and vaccinations,
appropriate administration of oxygen therapy, and disease self-management. Some of the above-mentioned practice
recommendations will be discussed below