Emergency MedicineRespiratory
Acute Exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD)
NICE NG115 / GOLD 2024 management of AECOPD — controlled oxygen, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, NIV.
Source: NICE NG115; GOLD 2024
Used in: COPD
Step 1 of ~7
info
Assessment
ABCDE. ABG essential. CXR, ECG, FBC, U&E, CRP, sputum culture if purulent. Confirm prior COPD diagnosis. NEWS2 for severity.
Related
Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.
Calculators
Drugs
- Azithromycin (COPD Exacerbation Prophylaxis) · Macrolide antibiotic (anti-inflammatory / prophylactic)
- Doxycycline (COPD Exacerbation / CAP) · Oral tetracycline antibiotic
- Co-amoxiclav 625mg (COPD Exacerbation / CAP) · Beta-lactam / Beta-lactamase inhibitor combination antibiotic
- Insulin (IV Infusion — ICU Glucose Control) · Insulin — ICU Glucose Management
- Sodium Chloride 3% (Hypertonic Saline) · Hypertonic Electrolyte Solution — ICP/Hyponatraemia Management
- Glyceryl Trinitrate (Sublingual / IV) · Nitrate / Acute Angina
Pathways
- Difficult Airway Algorithm (DAS) · DAS 2015; Royal College of Anaesthetists
- Major Haemorrhage Protocol · NICE NG24; UK MHP guidelines
- New-Onset Atrial Fibrillation · ESC 2020 AF Guidelines; NICE NG196
- Hypertensive Emergency · ESC/ESH 2018 Hypertension Guidelines; NICE NG136
- Bradycardia Management · Resuscitation Council UK ABCDE; ESC 2021 Pacing Guidelines
- Ventricular Tachycardia / Fibrillation · Resuscitation Council UK ACLS; ESC 2022 Ventricular Arrhythmia Guidelines
Featured in these MRCEM clinical pathways
A deeper exam-focused version of this pathway is available on our sister siteReviseMRCEM.
MRCEM Primary / Intermediate / OSCE candidates: each pathway includes exam-style questions, RCEM/NICE citations, and FAQ summaries.
Decision support only. Always apply local guidelines and clinical judgement.