Final answer:
To treat an acute COPD exacerbation, use bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics if needed, and oxygen therapy to alleviate symptoms and improve the patient's condition.
Step-by-step explanation:
To treat an acute COPD exacerbation, you would administer bronchodilators to relieve airway constriction, corticosteroids to reduce inflammation, antibiotics if there is a bacterial infection, and oxygen therapy to maintain adequate oxygen levels in the blood for patients who are hypoxemic. Bronchodilators and corticosteroids can be given through inhalation, whereas antibiotics may be oral or intravenous depending on the severity of the exacerbation. Oxygen therapy is adjusted to achieve a target oxygen saturation, typically between 88% and 92%. It's important to note that while these treatments can improve symptoms and reduce the severity of an exacerbation, COPD is a chronic condition with no current cure, except in very severe cases where lung transplantation may be considered.