Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a chronic condition that causes respiratory disturbances, including increased secretion production, productive cough, shortness of breath, and difficulty expectorating sputum. This condition can lead to the nursing diagnosis of Ineffective Airway Clearance. This final nursing project employs a case study method utilizing the nursing process—comprising assessment, diagnosis, planning, implementation, and evaluation—on a single COPD patient.
Nursing care was administered over a six-day period: four days in the Asoka Ward at Dr. Harjono Regional General Hospital (RSUD) in Ponorogo, followed by two days of home visits. Assessment results indicated that the patient experienced shortness of breath and a productive cough but struggled to expectorate sputum; rhonchi and wheezing sounds were audible, with a respiratory rate (RR) of 27 breaths/minute and an SpO₂ of 97% while on supplemental oxygen. The established nursing diagnosis was Ineffective Airway Clearance. Implementation was based on the Indonesian Nursing Intervention Standards (SIKI), specifically focusing on therapeutic actions within the Airway Management intervention. The primary interventions provided were chest clapping techniques and eucalyptus oil steam therapy, with the latter administered three hours after nebulization therapy.
Evaluation results showed a gradual improvement in airway clearance. Sputum became thinner and easier to expectorate, shortness of breath decreased, rhonchi and wheezing sounds were no longer audible, the respiratory rate improved to 20 breaths/minute, and SpO₂ reached 99% without supplemental oxygen. Based on these results, applying the nursing process with chest clapping and eucalyptus oil steam therapy as primary interventions can help improve airway clearance in COPD patients.
Keywords: COPD, Ineffective Airway Clearance, Clapping Technique, Eucalyptus Oil Steam Therapy.