The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate whether respiratory nursing interventions can improve respiratory outcomes in patients hospitalized with acute exacerbation of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). The main questions it aims to answer are:
Do respiratory nursing interventions improve dyspnea levels measured by the Modified Medical Research Council (mMRC) Dyspnea Scale? Do these interventions improve oxygen saturation and pulmonary function (FVC, FEV1, and FEV1/FVC ratio)?
Researchers will compare patients receiving respiratory nursing interventions plus routine hospital care with patients receiving routine hospital care alone to determine whether the interventions improve respiratory outcomes.
Participants will:
Undergo baseline assessment using the mMRC Dyspnea Scale, pulse oximetry, and pulmonary function tests.
Receive either respiratory nursing interventions (deep breathing exercises, chest percussion, postural drainage, and lukewarm water intake) along with routine care or routine hospital care alone.
Be reassessed after the intervention period using the same respiratory outcome measures.
Diagnosed cases of COPD admitted for acute exacerbation according to Global Initiative for Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease.
Adults aged > 40 years (WHO, 2023; GOLD, 2024).
Both genders (male & female).
Hemodynamically stable at the time of enrollment in terms of vital signs (e.g., blood pressure > 90/60 mmHg, heart rate between 60-100 bpm) to safely undergo nursing interventions without acute risk (Jarhyan et al., 2021).
Dyspnea due to cardio-pulmonary disease or other co-morbidities.
Patients on mechanical ventilation and ICU admission.
Patients with mental disorders.
Patients with upper airway obstruction.