Question

A 70-year-old man with COPD presents with increased breathlessness, sputum volume and purulence. He is wheezy with oxygen saturations 90% on air and respiratory rate 26/min. What is the most appropriate initial management in primary care?

Accepted Answer

Start oral Prednisolone, increase short-acting bronchodilator use and consider oral antibiotics if sputum is purulent

Answer

Start high-dose long-term oral Prednisolone without review

Answer

Prescribe an inhaled corticosteroid alone

Answer

Reassure and make no changes to treatment

Answer

Arrange routine pulmonary rehabilitation only

Practice question

A 70-year-old man with COPD presents with increased breathlessness, sputum volume and purulence. He is wheezy with oxygen saturations 90% on air and respiratory rate 26/min. What is the most appropriate initial management in primary care?