Cardinal Symptoms
Cardinal symptoms include: 1. Increased dyspnea 2. Increased sputum volume 3. Increased sputum purulence
See link below for evaluation and treatment algorithm
Patients receiving invasive or non-invasive ventilation for AECOPD should be initiated on intravenous antimicrobial therapy
If infiltrate on chest x-ray consistent with infection or pneumonia suspected, then treat as per pneumonia treatment guidelines (see Community Acquired Pneumonia below)
Consider nasopharyngeal swab for influenza if seasonal influenza is circulating within the community.
Patients presenting with only:
1 of the 3 cardinal symptoms
OR
ONLY increased dyspnea and increased sputum volume
At least one of:
Guideline content derived from: