Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Y3(M) - Respiratory > Acute Dyspnea, Exacerbations And Conditions > Flashcards

Acute Dyspnea, Exacerbations And Conditions Flashcards

1
Q

What are some symptoms of an acute asthma exacerbation?

A

SOB
Chest pain/tightness
Cough
Short sentences

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

What are some signs of an acute asthma exacerbation?

A

Tachycardia
Inc resp rate
Use of accessory muscles
Wheeze
Hyper-resonance

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

What type of wheeze is typically heard with an acute asthma exacerbation?

A

Polymorphic wheeze (wheeze is different depending on degree of narrowing in different places

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

When is a monophonic wheeze typically heard?

A

Cancer
Foreign bodies

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

Why do you get hyper-resonance with an acute asthma exacerbation?

A

Unable to fully empty lungs since patient is too breathless (expiratory phase shortens)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

What investigations would you request for a patient with an acute asthma exacerbation and why?

A

FBC (elevated WCC for infection)
U+Es (check K+ levels)
Obs (Sats)
Peak flow
ABG

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

What imaging would you want for a patient with an acute asthma exacerbation and why?

A

Evidence of infection (can cause exacerbation)
?pneumothorax

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Why is it important to assess for a low potassium (K+) when managing an acute asthma exacerbation?

A

Nebulised salbutamol internalises K+ into cells leading to reduce serum K+ (hypokalaemia)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

How do you treat an asthma exacerbation?

A

Nebulised salbutamol (back to back until stable need to monitor heart and K+)
Controlled oxygen therapy
Magnesium infusion
Drip (ventolin and then aminophylline if required)

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

What type of IV medication is ventolin?

A

its IV salbutamol a B2 agonist

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

What needs to be monitored when giving ventolin?

A

K+
Heart rate

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

What is the function of aminophyline?

A

An anti-inflammatory + bronchodilator

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

What are the side effects of aminophyline?

Why do you have to be careful with dosing?

A

SE: seizures, arrhythmias

Has a narrow therapeutic window (if already takin theophylline’s patient doesn’t require loading)

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

What are the 3 severities of asthma?

A

Mild
Moderate
Severe

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

For mild asthma, what are the most likely results you will see for:

-O2 levels
-CO2 levels
-pH levels

Why is this the case?

A

O2 - normal
CO2 - reduced
pH - normal

Will by hyperventilating to keep oxygen normal which is what leads to the carbon dioxide levels being reduced, CO2 levels not reduced enough to cause a pH change

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

For moderate asthma, what are the most likely results you will see for:

-O2 levels
-CO2 levels
-pH levels

Why is this the case?

A

O2 - reduced
CO2 - very reduced
pH - Alkalotic

Patient hyperventilating to try and increase oxygen levels, patients CO2 is very low due to this leading to the blood becoming very alkalotic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
17
Q

For severe asthma, what are the most likely results you will see for:

-O2 levels
-CO2 levels
-pH levels

Why is this the case?

A

O2 - reduced
CO2 - increased
pH - acidotic

Patient has become exhausted from hyperventilating so their respiratory effort is failing. This has lead to their CO2 levels rising leading to an acidotic blood pH

18
Q

What are the accessory muscles to respiration?

A

Sternocleidomastoid
Scalenes
Serratus anterior
Rectus abdominis
Intercostals
Pec major and minor

19
Q

What are some symptoms of a patient having a COPD exacerbation?

A

SOB
Increased production/change in character of sputum
Reduced exercise tolerance
Short sentences

20
Q

What are some signs of a patient having a COPD exacerbation?

A

Pursed lip breathing (PEEP)
Accessory muscle use
Cyanosis
Tachycardia

21
Q

Why do COPD patients use pursed lip breathing?

A

To achieve PEEP (positive end expiratory pressure)
They doo this to keep the airways inflated for as long as possible

22
Q

What are some investigations you would do for a patient having a COPD exacerbation?

A

FBC
Peak flow
ABG

23
Q

Why would you do an ABG for a patient with COPD?

A

To asses wether they are a CO2 retainer
This can be seen by compensated respiratory acidosis (so an increased HCO3-)

24
Q

What imaging would you do for a patient with a COPD exacerbation?

What are you looking for?

A

CXR

Signs of infection
?Pneumothorax

25
Q

How do you manage a patient with a COPD exacerbation?

A

Controlled oxygen therapy
Nebulised atrovent
Non invasive ventilation
ITU if required
Pallliative care if required

26
Q

What is atrovent, how does it work?

A

Anti Muscarinic medication (M3)

Prevents bronchoconstriction by binding to M3 blocking the receptors leading to bronchodilation

27
Q

How does a patient typically present with a pneumothorax?

A

SOB
Chest pain
Hyper-resonant chest
Tracheal deviation away from the pneumothorax
Reduced chest expansion and breath sounds on affected side
Cyanosis
Distended neck veins

28
Q

What investigations/imaging would you do for a patient with a ?pneumothorax?

A

ERECT CXR
ABG

29
Q

How would you manage a low risk pneumothorax?

A

Pleural Vent Ambulatory device. (Catheter put in plural space in outpatient)
Conservatively (activity modification)

30
Q

How would you manage a high risk pneumothorax?

A

Immediate needle decompression with a large bore cannula (venflon)

Then definitive management involves chest drain insertion

31
Q

Where is a chest drain inserted for a patient with a high risk pneumothorax?

A

Triangle of safety above the rib

32
Q

What are the borders of the triangle of safety?

A

5th intercostal space
Lateral edge of pec major
Lateral edge of Latissimus dorsi

33
Q

What are the complications of chest drains?

A

Air leakage around drain
Subcutaneous emphysema

34
Q

Where is the immediate needle decompression inserted with a tension pneumothorax?

A

2nd intercostal space in the mid clavicular line

35
Q

What is the pathophysiology of a tension pneumothorax?

A

1 way valve allows air to fill into pleural space but cant leave

This builds up putting pressure on the mediastinal structures and vessels which can lead to cardio-respiratory arrest
The pressure can push the trachea to the other side

36
Q

What is the management for a patietn with acute Haemoptysis?

A

Oxygen
Resus if necessary
Bronchoscopy to find cause + CT chest
Surgical fix if necessary
Dual ET tubing

37
Q

What is the main rare emergency with Haemoptysis?

A

Aspergilloma

38
Q

How does a dual ET tube work when managing a patient with acute Haemoptysis?

A

Blood can be sucked from 1 lung and the other tube and ventilate the other lung

39
Q

What is the main cause of Haemothorax?

A

Vessel connecting 2 pleural surfaces ruptures when the pleural surfaces seperate

40
Q

How is haemothorax managed?

A

Thoracic surgery if patient is young
If patient is old the blood can tamponade the rupture so leave

Y3(M) - Respiratory (3 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2025 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions