breathlessness

Question 1

what is orthopnea usually associated with?

Answer 1

left ventricular failure
respiratory muscle weakness
large pleural efffusion
massive ascites
morbid obesity

Question 2

what is platypnoea associated with?

Answer 2

right to left shunting through a patent foramen oval, atrial septal defect or a large intrapulmonary shunt

Question 3

what is trepopnoea (SOB when lying on one side) associated with?

Answer 3

unilateral lung disease

dilated cardiomyopathy

Question 4

what is PND

Answer 4

breathlessness that wakes the patient from sleep

Question 5

what is PND associated with?

Answer 5

asthma

left ventricular failure

Question 6

what is breathlessness worse on waking associated with?

Answer 6

COPD

Question 7

if you suspect asthma, what should you ask about?

Answer 7

exposure to allergens
smoke
perfumes
fumes
cold air
drugs (aspirin, NSAIDS)

Question 8

what does breathlessness that improves at weekends suggest?

Answer 8

occupational asthma

Question 9

what is the MRC breathlessness scale?

Answer 9

grade 1: breathlessness when hurrying on the level or walking up a slight hill
grade 2: breathlessness when walking with people of own age or on level ground
grade 3: walks slower than peers, or stops when walking on the flat own pace
grade 4: stops after walking 100m
grade 5: too breathless to leave the house

grade 5b: too breathless to wash or dress

Question 10

what is COPD characterised as?

Answer 10

airflow obstruction that is usually progressive and not fully reversible. FEV1/FVC < 70%