Acute Bronchitis

Question 1

What is acute bronchitis?

Answer 1

Inflammation of trachea and bronchi caused by spread of URI or exposure to inhaled irritants

Question 2

What is the most common cause of acute bronchitis?

Answer 2

viral infection

Question 3

Give two bacterial agents that commonly cause post-acute bronchitis infection?

Answer 3

1) Strep. pneumoniae
2) H. influenzae

Question 4

True or false: viral bronchitis is contagious

Answer 4

True

Question 5

Give 6 symptoms associated with acute bronchitis:

Answer 5

1) irritating, non-productive cough which later becomes productive with yellow/green sputum
2) discomfort behind the sternum
3) chest tightness
4) wheezing
5) shortness of breath
6) mild fever

Question 6

What findings may be found upon auscultation with acute bronchitis?

Answer 6

1) wheeze
2) occasional crackles

Question 7

How long does acute bronchitis last?

Answer 7

1-3 weeks

Question 8

Give 4 warning signs in acute bronchitis:

Answer 8

1) sharp stabbing pain when coughing or breathing
2) coughing up blood
3) ‘rusty’ coloured sputum
4) being very short of breath

Question 9

What anatomical structure is affected in acute bronchitis?

Answer 9

bronchi (large airways)

Question 10

How is acute bronchitis diagnosed? (2)

Answer 10

1) Clinical diagnosis
2) CXR to rule out pneumonia if suspected

Question 11

How is acute bronchitis treated?

Answer 11

1) pain relievers such as paracetamol, ibuprofen and aspirin
2) rest and fluids
3) NO antibiotics

Question 12

True or false: antibiotics are used to treat acute bronchitis

Answer 12

false

Question 13

Give three cases where antibiotics would be used to treat acute bronchitis:

Answer 13

1) patient has cystic fibrosis
2) patient has an immunodeficiency
3) patient has a long-term kidney, liver, heart, lung or nervous conditions