NURS FPX 4025 Assessment 3
NURS FPX 4025 Assessment 3
Name
Capella university
NURS-FPX4025 Research and Evidence-Based Decision Making
Prof. Name
Date
DEI and Ethics in Assessment 3
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Smoking Cessation
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a progressive respiratory condition that severely affects breathing, predominantly caused by smoking. Despite the widely recognized health risks, many individuals struggle to quit smoking. COPD remains one of the leading causes of mortality in the United States, impacting nearly 16 million adults (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2024). Smoking cessation is crucial in slowing the disease’s progression and improving overall health outcomes. However, factors such as nicotine addiction, psychological stress, and lack of social or medical support often serve as barriers to successful cessation.
This assessment examines the effectiveness of structured smoking cessation programs compared to standard counseling for COPD patients. The primary goal is to determine which method yields higher success rates in quitting smoking and improving pulmonary health over a six-month period.
Explaining a Diagnosis
COPD is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by persistent coughing, shortness of breath, and frequent lung infections. Without proper management, the disease can worsen over time, leading to hospitalizations, cardiovascular complications, and respiratory failure. Smoking cessation is the most critical intervention in slowing COPD progression. However, many individuals face challenges in quitting due to addiction, stress, or inadequate support systems (American Lung Association [ALA], 2024).
Certain populations, such as older adults, low-income individuals, and those with limited healthcare access, experience additional difficulties in managing COPD (Alupo et al., 2024). Financial constraints may prevent patients from affording necessary medications, leading to worsening symptoms and increased hospital visits. Additionally, patients in remote areas may lack access to specialized medical care, further limiting their ability to manage the disease effectively. Implementing comprehensive smoking cessation programs and ensuring routine medical visits can help mitigate these risks, ultimately improving patient outcomes (Wang et al., 2024). Nurses play a crucial role in educating patients about COPD management and facilitating access to appropriate healthcare resources.
Describing a Research Question
Smoking cessation is essential for COPD management, yet various barriers prevent many individuals from successfully quitting. Utilizing the PICO(T) framework helps in identifying the most effective smoking cessation strategy (Gosak et al., 2024). The research question formulated is:
“In adult patients diagnosed with COPD (P), how does a structured smoking cessation program incorporating behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy (I), compared to standard smoking cessation counseling (C), impact smoking cessation rates and pulmonary function (O) within six months (T)?”
Breakdown of the PICO(T) Criteria
| PICO(T) Criteria | Description |
|---|---|
| Population (P) | Adult patients diagnosed with COPD. This group is selected due to the significant impact smoking has on disease progression, making cessation a critical intervention. |
| Intervention (I) | A structured smoking cessation program, including behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy (e.g., nicotine replacement therapy, varenicline, or bupropion). This approach has demonstrated higher success rates than single-intervention methods (Fu et al., 2022). |
| Comparison (C) | Standard smoking cessation counseling, which generally involves brief sessions or educational materials provided by healthcare professionals. |
| Outcome (O) | Sustained smoking cessation and improved pulmonary function, assessed over a six-month period. |
| Time (T) | A six-month timeframe, as research indicates that achieving sustained cessation beyond this period is strongly associated with long-term smoking abstinence (Hu et al., 2021). |
The objective of this research is to assess whether structured smoking cessation programs are more effective than standard counseling in improving smoking cessation rates and pulmonary function among COPD patients. The study findings will help inform best practices for COPD management and evidence-based clinical interventions.
Literature Search
A systematic literature review was conducted to identify research studies on smoking cessation interventions for COPD patients. Academic databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, and Google Scholar were used to ensure access to high-quality sources. The search included key terms such as “COPD,” “smoking cessation,” “nicotine replacement therapy,” “behavioral counseling,” “pharmacotherapy,” and “pulmonary rehabilitation.” Boolean operators (AND, OR) were applied to refine search results, ensuring relevance to COPD-specific smoking cessation interventions.
To ensure credibility, search results were filtered using the CRAAP criteria (Currency, Relevance, Authority, Accuracy, and Purpose). Peer-reviewed journal articles, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses from reputable sources such as the CDC and ALA were prioritized. Additional search refinements included terms such as “COPD patient adherence” and “effectiveness of structured cessation programs.” This strategy ensured the inclusion of high-quality evidence supporting best practices in smoking cessation for COPD patients.
Relevant Articles
Several studies provide compelling evidence on the impact of smoking cessation programs for COPD patients. Wang et al. (2024) conducted a meta-analysis indicating that individuals who quit smoking demonstrated significant improvements in lung function, physical endurance, and oxygen levels. Their findings revealed a 6.72% increase in forced expiratory volume (FEV1%), a 64.46-meter improvement in the six-minute walk test (6-MWT), and a 1.96% increase in oxygen levels. Moreover, smoking cessation was associated with a 25% reduction in mortality risk (RR = 0.75).
Han et al. (2023) explored the effectiveness of structured smoking cessation programs that included behavioral counseling, pharmacotherapy, and pulmonary rehabilitation. Their randomized controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated that a combination of nicotine replacement therapy (NRT) and cognitive-behavioral strategies significantly increased quit rates compared to standard counseling. Additionally, Fu et al. (2022) discussed the role of evidence-based practice models, such as the Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice (JHNEBP) model, in implementing structured smoking cessation interventions. Their study highlighted the benefits of these interventions in improving pulmonary function and slowing COPD progression. Collectively, these studies provide substantial evidence that structured smoking cessation programs are more effective than standard counseling.
Analyzing Evidence
The research strongly supports structured smoking cessation programs as a superior intervention for COPD management. Wang et al. (2024) demonstrated significant improvements in lung function, exercise capacity, and oxygenation following smoking cessation. Han et al. (2023) found that integrating nicotine replacement therapy with cognitive-behavioral therapy yielded higher quit rates. Fu et al. (2022) emphasized the need for evidence-based approaches in clinical settings, reinforcing that structured smoking cessation programs lead to better cessation rates, improved pulmonary function, and enhanced long-term health outcomes.
Conclusion
Smoking cessation plays a vital role in COPD management by slowing disease progression and improving lung health. Research confirms that structured smoking cessation programs, which integrate behavioral counseling and pharmacotherapy, are more effective than standard counseling alone. These interventions contribute to improved lung function, reduced hospitalizations, and overall better health outcomes for COPD patients. Healthcare providers, especially nurses, should implement structured smoking cessation programs to support patients in their efforts to quit smoking, ultimately enhancing their quality of life and reducing the burden of COPD.
References
Alupo, P., Baluku, J., Bongomin, F., Siddharthan, T., Katagira, W., Ddungu, A., Hurst, J. R., Boven, van, Worodria, W., & Kirenga, B. J. (2024). Overcoming challenges of managing chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in low- and middle-income countries. Expert Review of Respiratory Medicine. https://doi.org/10.1080/17476348.2024.2398639
American Lung Association (ALA). (2024). Learn about COPD. American Lung Association. https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/copd/learn-about-copd
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2024). COPD. Chronic Disease Indicators. https://www.cdc.gov/cdi/indicator-definitions/chronic-obstructive-pulmonary-disease.html
NURS FPX 4025 Assessment 3
Fu, Y., Chapman, E. J., Boland, A. C., & Bennett, M. I. (2022). Evidence-based management approaches for patients with severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD): A practice review. Palliative Medicine, 36(5), 770–782. https://doi.org/10.1177/02692163221079697
Han, M. K., Fu, Y., Ji, Q., Duan, X., & Fang, X. (2023). The effectiveness of theory-based smoking cessation interventions in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A meta-analysis. BMC Public Health, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-023-16441-w
Wang, Z., Qiu, Y., Ji, X., & Dong, L. (2024). Effects of smoking cessation on individuals with COPD: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Frontiers in Public Health, 12. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1433269