Below is a summary of Pam’s electronic health record (EHR) activity while she is in the hospital. As a health coach, your job is to recommend lifestyle changes to alleviate symptoms, prevent symptoms from recurring and decrease the need for future emergency care or hospitalization. You will also provide the education Pam needs to understand her diagnosis and the risk factors that may have caused her condition. Using her EHR, Virtual Physical Exam and Internet research, answer the questions and be prepared to discuss the responses with the rest of Pam’s healthcare team.


  1. Internet Research: After using her bronchodilator, Pam completes another spirometry test and the results are similar, so the pulmonologist orders a pulmonary plethysmography and a diffusing capacity (DLCO) test. Explain these tests to Pam.

    Review Pam’s Outpatient EHR What do the results of these tests indicate?


  2. Internet Research: Pam’s PCP physician, Dr. Jamison, prescribes albuterol (Ventolin), a short-term bronchodilator, and the pulmonologist prescribes a combination inhaler of fluticasone and salmeterol (Advair HFA), a long-term bronchodilator. What is a bronchodilator?

    Review Pam’s VPE: Using VPE, explain how a bronchodilator with a metered-dose inhaler is administered.


  3. Internet Research: Regardless of her diagnosis, the first thing Pam MUST do is to stop smoking. As Pam’s health coach, what advice do you give her to quit smoking?


  4. Internet Research: As part of a nicotine replacement therapy, the pulmonologist prescribes varenicline (Chantix). Explain the purpose of this medication.

View Pam’s EHR – Outpatient   Virtual Physical Exam