Asthma/ COPD/ OSA Flashcards
What drug is in the blue inhaler?
SABA - salbutamol - releiver
What drug is in the brown inhaler?
beclometasone - preventor
A 14-year-old girl presents to the General Practice with a previous history of shortness of breath and a dry cough that develops whenever she has a sports lesson.
She usually uses a blue inhaler to relieve the symptoms, however over the past two weeks she has been waking up from episodes of dyspnoea and her mum is worried that she is more wheezy than usual.
What additional medication can be prescribed to control her symptoms?
Beclomethasone Inhaler
A 55-year-old overweight woman presents to her general practitioner (GP) as she has been having trouble with her sleep. She often wakes up multiple times at night gasping for air, she also feels that her sleep is unrefreshing and is thus very tired during the day and has even fallen asleep at work. In addition, she has been having headaches most mornings.
The GP suspects a diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
Which investigations is most likely to confirm this diagnosis?
Polysomnography
A 25-year-old known asthmatic presents to the emergency department with an acute deterioration in his condition.
His vital signs reveal a heart rate of 135, blood pressure of 95/60 and saturation of 85%. An arterial blood gas (ABG) is taken which shows:
pH 7.3 7.35 - 7.45
PaO₂ 7 kPa 11 - 15
PaCO₂ 7.5 kPa 4.6 - 6.4
Bicarbonate 24 mmol/L 22 - 30
Which is the next best step in the management of this patient?
Intubation and ventilation
An 18-year-old female is being investigated for suspected asthma. The doctor reviews her history and feels that there is an intermediate probability of asthma.
According to British Thoracic Society guidelines, what is the first line of investigation to make a diagnosis of asthma?
Fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing
A 50-year-old male patient presents to their GP complaining of daytime somnolence. They are investigated and subsequently diagnosed with obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA).
What scoring system will have been utilised in order to categorise the severity of the patient’s symptoms?
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
A 40 year old female presents to her GP with fatigue. She works as a teacher and has been struggling to stay awake at work. She is often found napping in the classroom. Her husband, who has attended clinic with her today, reports that she snores loudly at night, and sometimes appears to stop breathing. She has a past medical history of type 2 diabetes mellitus and hypertension. On examination, she has a Body Mass Index of 36.
What is the single most appropriate investigation to provide a diagnosis?
Polysomnography
A 35-year-old woman presents to her GP with a cough, wheeze and chest tightness. She has been using her salbutamol inhaler more frequently and has had one exacerbation in the past year.
What is the next step in management according to the UK BTS guidelines?
Start regular preventer therapy
When should prednisolone be added?
This should only be considered if symptoms are not controlled despite good inhaler technique, and having tried other agents
High probability of asthma clinically
try treatment
Intermediate probability of asthma
perform spirometry with reversibility testing
Low probability of asthma
consider referral and investigating for other causes
Acute presentation meds in order >
(O SHITMA n)
Oxygen (at least 60%)
Salbutamol (neb)
Hydrocortisone (IV) OR oral prednisolone
Ipratropium (neb)
Theophylline (oral)
Magnesium sulphate (IV)
An anaesthetist (to intubate)
Complications of COPD
Cor pulmonary - right-sided heart failure
COPD - If the patient is well enough to remain at home. What is their treatment?
- Oral prednisolone (steroid)
- Increase SABA/SAMA
- Antibiotics if evidence of infection
COPD - Hospital management
Ipratropium
Salbutamol
Oxygen (target spO2 88-92%)
Amoxicillin (/doxycycline)
Prednisolone
For COPD cor Pulmonale on ECG shows up as what?
very large P wave
Signs of COPD
Wheezing - chronic bronchitis
Reduced breath sounds - emphysema
Symptoms of COPD
- Progressive dyspnoea
- Chronic cough
- Regular exacerbations
Explain chronic bronchitis
Chronic Bronchitis - Inflammation of airways
Cigarette smoke → chronic neutrophilic inflammation → scarring and fibrosis
Hypertrophy of mucus-secreting glands and hyperplasia of goblet cells
Explain emphysema
Emphysema - breakdown of elastic recoil of the lung
Inflammation → neutrophils release proteases → break down elastin walls of alveoli → loss of elastic recoil
Genetic predisposition of COPD is
alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
What is the primary cause of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA)
Blockage of airways, usually at the level of the oropharynx, leading to multiple pauses in respiration during sleep
What demographic is most commonly affected by OSA?
Overweight, middle-aged men
Name some causes of OSA other than obesity
- Enlarged tonsils/adenoids
- Oropharyngeal deformity
- Neurological issues (e.g., stroke)
- Drugs (depressants)
- Post-operative anesthesia
How do apnoeas occur during sleep?
Apnoeas occur when the airway at the back of the throat is sucked closed when breathing in during sleep
What are the consequences of untreated OSA?
Daytime sleepiness, impaired intellectual performance, hypercapnia, and hypoxia
How can excessive daytime sleepiness be measured?
Epworth Sleepiness Scale
What investigations are commonly used to diagnose OSA?
Overnight sleep studies;
- Oximetry
- Domiciliary readings
- Full polysomnography (golden standard)
What surgical procedure involves the removal of excess tissue in the throat to widen the airway?
Uvulopalatopharyngoplasty (UPPP)
In which cases is UPPP less effective?
Less effective in severe cases of OSA
What surgical procedure involves repositioning the jaw to enlarge the upper airway?
Mandibular advancement surgery