A nurse practitioner orders pulmonary rehabilitation for a 75-year-old patient with COPD. What is an expected outcome that is NOT typically associated with this program?

In pulmonary rehabilitation for patients with COPD, the program primarily focuses on improving the overall well-being and functional status of individuals rather than directly increasing lung capacity. While participants may experience a variety of benefits, such as enhanced quality of life, decreased hospitalizations, and improved exercise capacity, it is important to note that the irreversible nature of COPD means that lung capacity itself does not typically improve significantly.

The aim of pulmonary rehabilitation includes education on managing the disease, exercise training, nutritional counseling, and psychological support, all of which can enhance quality of life and help patients manage their symptoms more effectively. Improvements in exercise capacity lead to increased endurance and better daily function, contributing to reduced hospitalizations as patients can manage their condition more effectively. However, due to the pathophysiology of COPD, lung capacity—as measured by lung function tests—generally remains stable or may decline over time, making it an outcome not typically associated with this rehabilitation program.