Amanda Newton-BrownPathophysiology 3701 October 2015 COPD Case StudyWhat clinical findings are likely in RS, as a result of your COPD? Many clinical findings can be problematic for RS, due to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, which is composed of two closely related diseases that are chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Polycythemia is an important consequence of COPD, which is an abnormal increase in the concentration of hemoglobin in the blood, through the reduction of plasma volume or the increase in the number of red blood cells (Mayoclinic,2015). He has elevated PaCO2 and HCO3 levels, indicating that respiratory acidosis is partially compensated. RS, suffers from chronic bronchitis (COPD type B), also labeling it as a "blue swelling", which can cause him to experience symptoms of peripheral edema, elevated hemoglobin, dyspnea, chest tightness, cyanosis, wheezing and persistent cough. Symptoms of dyspnea, cough, cyanosis, and wheezing result from changes in the smooth muscles of the bronchi and congestion of the alveoli. These patientsExtreme cases of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease can lead to cor pulmonale, increased vascular resistance, and right heart failure, accompanied by decreased left ventricular filling, left ventricular stroke volume, and cardiac output. COPD and left heart failure are not directly related. However, the two conditions can influence each other. For example, low blood oxygen levels caused by COPD can put too much strain on the heart, worsening left-sided heart failure. Excess fluid in the lungs due to heart failure can make breathing even more difficult for COPD sufferers (WebMd.com). Smoking increases both heart and lung problems, which is one of the main reasons why patients with respiratory diseases stop smoking because it also affects the