Question

A 71-year-old man with GOLD stage III COPD presents with 3 days of increased dyspnoea, purulent sputum and wheeze. He is tachypnoeic, using accessory muscles, with oxygen saturation 89% on room air and no focal consolidation on chest X-ray. Which combination best represents guideline-based initial management of this moderate COPD exacerbation?

Accepted Answer

Give systemic corticosteroids, short-acting bronchodilators and prescribe antibiotics

Answer

Increase short-acting bronchodilators only; no steroids or antibiotics

Answer

Start high-dose inhaled corticosteroid alone

Answer

Start long-term oxygen therapy only if saturations are <95%

Answer

Give IV aminophylline as first-line therapy

Practice question