Two Diseases, One Airway: COPD vs Asthma
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Asthma and COPD remain two of the most common and impactful chronic respiratory conditions encountered in primary and acute care settings. With evolving guidelines, expanding biologic therapies, and shifts in diagnostic and management approaches, staying current is essential for optimal patient outcomes.
This session provides advanced practice providers with an updated, clinically focused review of asthma and COPD care. We will cover recent guideline updates, including diagnostic criteria, stepwise treatment recommendations, and the role of biomarkers in personalized care. Participants will explore emerging therapies—such as biologics for asthma and novel inhaled agents for COPD—as well as evidence-based strategies for reducing exacerbations, improving adherence, and addressing comorbid conditions.
*Due to rapidly changing clinical knowledge, once purchased, you have 90 days access to complete this education.
Credits: 1.5 Contact Hours; 1.0 are Pharmacology
This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 5/5/2026 to 5/4/2027 . PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Expiration Date: December 31, 2026
$40
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
After taking part in this educational activity, participants should be better able to:
-Differentiate the pathophysiology of asthma and COPD.
-Compare the clinical presentation and risk factors of both diseases.
-Interpret spirometry findings to distinguish asthma from COPD.
Steven Prohaska PA-C
Stephen Prohaska is a certified Physician Assistant with ten years of clinical experience, including seven years specializing in pulmonary and sleep medicine. He earned his Master of Physician Assistant Studies from the Medical College of Georgia–Augusta University after graduating from the Georgia Institute of Technology, and was inducted into Pi Alpha, the national physician assistant honor society.
Stephen’s clinical work focuses on delivering evidence-based, personalized respiratory care while advancing the integration of emerging technologies into everyday practice. He is actively involved in applying artificial intelligence to pulmonary and sleep medicine, with a focus on improving diagnostic accuracy, clinical decision-making, and patient outcomes.
He is an active member of several professional organizations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants (AAPA), Association of Pulmonary Advanced Practice Providers (APAPP), North Carolina Academy of Physician Assistants (NCAPA), American College of CHEST Physicians, and the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM). Stephen is certified by the National Certifying Commission of Physician Assistants and licensed by the North Carolina Medical Board.
Outside of clinical practice, Stephen is passionate about healthcare education and thoughtful technology adoption. He enjoys spending time with his family and unwinds through woodworking, hiking, and building forts with his children.
CE/CME INFORMATION
Obtain Your Credits
To earn credits for this activity, navigate to the Content(s) tab and complete all course components in the following order: 1) watch the course presentation video; 2) complete the course evaluation; 3) pass the post-test with a score of 2/3 (66.7%) or higher. You may retake the post-test until a passing score is achieved, at which point you will be able to view/print a copy of your certificate of completion. This online certificate will also be saved within your profile 'My Courses/Certificates' -> 'Transcript/Certificates Earned' for future access.
Designation Statement
NPACE designates this educational activity for a maximum of 1.5 contact hours, of which 1.0 is pharmacology credit. Participants should claim only credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.
This activity has been reviewed by the American Academy of Physician Associates Review Panel and is compliant with AAPA CME Criteria. This activity is designated for 1.5 AAPA Category 1 CME credits. Approval is valid from 5/5/2026 to 5/4/2027. PAs should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation.
Accreditation Statement
Nurse Practitioner Associates for Continuing Education is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center’s Commission on Accreditation.
DISCLOSURES
Faculty
Contributing faculty, Stephen Prohaska PA-C has disclosed no relevant financial relationship.
Planners
All planners and contributors involved in this educational activity have disclosed no relevant financial relationships.
Disclaimer
The material presented in this continuing education program is being made available for educational purposes only and is not intended to represent the best or only methods, medications and/or guidelines appropriate for the medical situation discussed. Rather the material is intended to present an approach, view, statement, or opinion of the presenter(s), which may be helpful, or of interest to other practitioners and should not be used by clinicians without the evaluation of their patient’s conditions and possible contraindications on dangers in use, review of any applicable manufacturer’s product information, and comparison with recommendations of other authorities. NPACE disclaims any liability, loss, injury, or damage incurred as a consequence, directly or indirectly, of the use and application of any information given in a presentation.
Disclosure of Unlabeled Use
This educational activity may mention the uses of products that are not approved by the FDA for the indication(s) being discussed. The presenter(s) are instructed to notify participants when they are discussing unapproved uses or investigational agents. The opinions related to unapproved uses of products are solely those of the presenter(s) and are not endorsed or recommended by NPACE. Please refer to the official prescribing information for each product for discussion of approved indications, contraindications, and warnings.
Commercial Support
There is no commercial support for this activity.
