Perform routinely
Pulse oximetry Hypoxemia
Perform if hospitalized
Arterial blood gas
measurement
Hypercarbia
Hypoxemia
Respiratory acidosis
Chest radiography Alternate sources of dyspnea
Complete blood count Anemia
Leukocytosis
Polycythemia
Electrocardiography Cardiac arrhythmias
Cardiac ischemia
Metabolic panel Electrolyte disturbances
Hypo- or hyperglycemia
Metabolic acid-base changes
Consider performing, especially if patient is not
responding to conventional exacerbation treatment
Brain natriuretic peptide
measurement
CHF (one third of dyspnea in
chronic lung disease may be
attributable to CHF)
Cardiac enzyme
measurement
Cardiac ischemia (myocardial
infarction is underdiagnosed in
patients with COPD)