Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Patient Education

Questions to Ask

From your initial diagnosis throughout your treatment and care, you will have questions about your COPD. This patient education guide lists questions to discuss with your doctor so you can make informed decisions about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Questions About My Diagnosis

• What causes the COPD condition? Is it curable?
• Do I have emphysema?
• How do I know if I am going into respiratory failure?
• What is my prognosis?
• Does COPD affect my other vital organs?
• Is lung cancer a possibility?
• I hear that carbon monoxide is breathed in for the lung capacity test. Is that harmful?

Questions About My Treatment

• What medication will I be prescribed for my condition? What are the side effects of the drugs?
• Will I need to carry an oxygen tank?
• Will an inhaler and nebulizer help me?
• Do I need special treatments at night? Do I need special training for my treatments? Where will that be done?
• Would I be a candidate for a lung transplant?
• Will the treatments be at the hospital or at home?
• Is there a clinical trial that has newer treatments that I can participate in?

Questions About My Lifestyle and Family

• Is this hereditary? Are there special screening tests that my children should have?
• If I stop smoking, can the condition be reversed?
• Can you help me to stop smoking with medication or other methods?
• Would nicotine replacement therapy affect my condition?
• Can I go out with a portable oxygen tank? What precautions should I take?
• Can I sleep lying flat or do I need a special bed?
• Is there a special diet that would improve my condition or make it worse?
• Should I get the flu or pneumonia vaccines?
• Are there support groups that I can attend to discuss Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease?