[18] Breathlessness Flashcards

1
Q

Why is breathlessness an important symptom to consider in palliative care?

A

The experience of being breathless can be frightening both for patient and family, and it can
affect individuals not only physically but also emotionally and socially.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

How common is breathlessness in cancer?

A

50-70% of patients

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

What does the successful treatment of breathlessness require?

A

A combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological measures

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Why is it necessary to determine the cause of breathlessness?

A

To identify any potentially reversible causes

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

What can the causes of breathlessness be divided into?

A
  • Cancer-related
  • Treatment-rleated
  • Other cause
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What are the cancer related causes of breathlessness?

A
  • Airway obstruction
  • Pleural effusion
  • Anaemia
  • Ascites
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What are the treatment related causes of breathlessness?

A
  • Surgery
  • Radiotherapy
  • Drugs causing fluid retention
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

What are the other causes of breathlessness?

A
  • Infection
  • Cardiac disease
  • Chronic respiratory disease
  • Pulmonary disease
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

What might be helpful when assessing a patient with breathlessness?

A

The presence of a carer

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Why might the presence of a carer be helpful when discussing breathlessness?

A

Assessment requires detailed discussion, which may be difficult for the patient

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

What needs to be addressed when considering ‘total breathlessness’?

A

The physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Give 2 breathlessness measurement tools?

A
  • MRC dyspnoea scale

- Dyspnoea-12 scale

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

What does the MRC dyspnoea scale measure?

A

Physical impact of breathlessness

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

What does the dyspnoea-12 scale include?

A

Emotional factors

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

What is the limitation of using breathlessness measurement tools?

A

They are not sufficient on their own

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

What should the assessment of breathlessness include?

A
  • Holistic assessment of physical, psychological, social, and spiritual domains
  • Detailed history including known disease status
  • Identification of any symptoms of depression and anxiety
  • Impact of breathlessness on patients lifestyle
  • Patients coping strategies
  • Meaning and implications of symptom on patient
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

What it is essential to determine when managing breathlessness?

A

The patients aims for treatment, and the sort of therapies and investigations they are able/prepared to undergo

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
18
Q

Give 5 examples of potentially reversible causes of breathlessness?

A
  • Infection
  • Pleural effusion
  • Arrythmias
  • Anaemia
  • Haert failure
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
19
Q

What may provide long-term palliation for breathlessness?

A

Anti-cancer treatment, chemotherapy, or radiotherapy

20
Q

What should be done if breathlessness does not have a reversible cause?

A

Combination of pharmacological and non-pharmacological interventions should be discussed and offered to the patient

21
Q

What is the aim of palliation of breathlessness?

A

Change the experience and perception of breathlessness, rather than changing the underlying pathology

22
Q

What pharmacological interventions may be useful in breathlessness?

A
  • Opioids
  • Anxiolytics
  • Nebulised bronchodilators
  • Oxygen
23
Q

How do opioids help in breathlessness?

A

Reduce ventilatory demand

24
Q

Who are opioids most beneficial to in breathlessness?

A

Those who are breathless at rest rather than on exertion

25
Q

How can anxiolytics help in breathlessness?

A

Help patients better cope with breathlessness by reducing anxiety

26
Q

What anxiolytics are recommended for breathlessness?

A
  • Diazepam

- Lorazepam

27
Q

When are anxiolytics recommended for breathlessness?

A

When anxiety is substantially aggravating the breathlessness

28
Q

What bronchodilator may be helpful in breathlessness?

A

Salbutamol

29
Q

How might salbutamol be helpful in breathlessness?

A

By causing bronchoconstriction

30
Q

Describe the role of oxygen in the management of breathlessness

A

It is useful for correcting hypoxia, but breathlessness is not always related to hypoxia

31
Q

Who can introduce non-pharmacological interventions in breathlessness?

A
  • Nurses
  • Doctors
  • Physios
  • OTs
32
Q

In what setting can non-pharmacological interventions for breathlessness be introduced?

A
  • Group sessions, involving carers

- Individual consultations

33
Q

Give some non-pharmacological measures for breathlessness

A
  • Controlled breathlessness techniques
  • Energy conservation
  • Relaxation techniques
  • Handheld fans
34
Q

What do controlled breathlessness techniques involve?

A
  • Positioning
  • Pursed lip breathing
  • Breathing exercises
  • Coordinated breathing training
35
Q

What positions can help with breathlessness?

A
  • Supported high side lying
  • Upright sitting with arms supported on pillows
  • Sitting leaning forwards with arms supported on wall or windowsill
36
Q

What happens to gaseous exchange when hyperventilating?

A

It is reduced

37
Q

What can increase gaseous exchange when hyperventilating?

A

Pursed lip breathing

38
Q

Why does pursed lip breathing help?

A

Because it promotes fully exhaled breath

39
Q

What breathing exercises can be helpful in breathlessness?

A

Diaphragmatic or deep breathing

40
Q

How do breathing exercises help?

A

They help the lungs function optimally and promote feelings of relaxation and stress reduction

41
Q

How can energy conservation be achieved to reduce breathlessness?

A

Through better planning of everyday activities

42
Q

Give an example of how energy conservation in everyday activities can be achieved?

A
  • Some activités can be done sitting down rather than standing, e.g. dishwashing, ironing, and gardening
  • Aids can make activities easier
43
Q

Why are relaxation techniques an essential component of breathlessness management?

A

Breathlessness and anxiety are closely linked

44
Q

What can help with breathlessness exacerbated by anxiety

A
  • CBT
  • Self-hypnosis
  • Progressive muscular relaxation
  • Visualisation
45
Q

How can a handheld fan help with breathlessness?

A

Studies have clearly shown that a handheld fan directed against the cheek improves the sensation of breathlessness