Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a major cause of chronic morbidity and mortality, which imposes a major burden on both society and the health service. It is a common condition that is on the increase and predominantly caused by smoking. Progressive damage to the lung tissue renders the patient increasingly breathless resulting in a frightening existence causing varying degrees of disability and handicap. It is therefore essential that healthcare professionals understand how this condition affects patients not only from a physical perspective, but also from a psychological and social perspective to provide effective nursing management. Nursing management of patients suffering from this disease is aimed at helping to control individual patient's symptoms and improve their quality of life.