Cardiorespiratory Flashcards
which lung areas can we localised dyspnoea and tachypnoea to?
upper airway
lower airway
lung parenchyma
pleural space
what does dyspnoea mean?
difficult or laboured breathing
what does tachypnoea mean?
increased rate of respiration
what is orthopnoea?
upright position, extended neck
what is a normal respiratory rate?
<35 breaths per minute at rest
<25/min when asleep
what are the possible causes of tachypnoea and dyspnoea?
physiological cause
hypoxaemia, hypercapnia
respiratory disease
cardiac disease
what physiological factors might contribute to tachypnoea/dyspnoea?
stress, pain, excitement, exercise
what structures form the upper airway?
nasal passages, pharynx, larynx, trachea
what type of dyspnoea usually affects the upper airway?
inspiratory dyspnoea
what type of respiratory noises affect the upper airway?
stertor or stridor
what are some of the upper airway causes of dyspnoea?
laryngeal paralysis
brachycephalic syndrome
neoplasia
polyps
foreign bodies
inflammation
tracheal collapse
what is the immediate treatment for upper airway obstruction?
anaesthesia and intubation
why should patients with upper airway compromise be monitored closely?
decompensation can be rapid
what structures make up the lower airway?
bronchi and bronchioli
what breathing pattern is typical of lower airway obstruction?
quick short inspiration and prolonged expiration
what type of respiratory issues does quick short inspiration and prolonged expiration indicate?
lower airway obstruction
what can we hear on auscultation with lower airway obstruction?
harsh lung sounds - wheezes, crackles
why might wheezes and crackles be heard on auscultation?
bronchoconstriction
secretions blocking airways
what are some of the lower airways causes of dyspoea?
asthma
bronchitis
smoke inhalation
bronchopneumonia
chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
what type of respiratory components can be affected by issues with the lung parenchyma?
inspiratory and expiratory components
what are some of the lung parenchymal causes of dyspnoea?
pulmonary oedema
pneumonia
haemorrhage
contusion
neoplasia
thromboembolism
parasites
what type of breathing pattern is seen with pleural space disease?
restrictive pattern - increased rate but reduced depth of inspiration
why does pleural space disease cause a restrictive breathing pattern?
lungs cannot expand as they should
what are some of the pleural space causes of dyspnoea?
pneumothorax
pleural effusion
masses
diaphragmatic hernia
what are some of the causes of pleural effusion?
haemorrhage
infection (pyothorax)
neoplasia
heart failure
chylothorax
what are the usual findings on auscultation of a patient with a pleural effusion?
muffled heart and lung sounds ventrally but normal lung sounds dorsally
what is our immediate clinical approach to a patient respiratory distress?
oxygen supplementation straight away
physical examination
localise - stridor/stertor?
RR and effort
mucous membrane colour
HR, arrhythmias, murmurs, peripheral pulses
what is the goal of oxygen supplementation in these patients?
increase oxygen content in arterial blood and delivery to tissues - resolution of life-threatening hypoxaemia
relief of respiratory distress
what are the main determinants of oxygen delivery?
haemoglobin concentration
blood concentration
cardiac output
what are the main methods of oxygen supplementation?
flow by
mask
nasal prongs
oxygen catheter
collar
oxygen cage
intubation and ventilation
what is the normal approach to patients displaying signs of pleural effusion/pneumothorax?
diagnose - examine, thoracic radiographs, U/S
stabilise - thoracocentesis
what types of samples might we collect via thoracocentesis?
samples for cytology, culture, biochemistry
what is a safe fraction of inspired oxygen for long term supplementation?
<60%
how can we monitor patients in respiratory distress?
physical examination
arterial blood gas analysis
pulse oximetry
what should we be monitoring during physical examination of patients in respiratory distress?
RR and effort
mm colour
HR and peripheral pulses
anxiety levels
what does arterial blood gas analysis measure?
PaO2 - partial pressure of oxygen
what is the gold standard for evaluation of arterial oxygenation?
arterial blood gas analysis
where should a blood gas sample be taken from?
an artery
which arteries are suitable for blood gas sampling?
dorsal metatarsal, femoral artery
what is important to remember after taking a blood gas sample?
lots of pressure on punctured vessel
analysis should be done ASAP
what is PaO2 dependent on?
oxygen
barometric pressure
what is a normal PaO2 value breathing room air?
100mmHg
what is a normal PaO2 value breathing 100% oxygen?
500mmHg
what PaO2 value is hypoxaemic?
<80mmHg
what does pulse oximetry measure?
peripheral oxygen saturation
what is oxygen saturation indicative of?
haemoglobin saturation
what are the benefits of pulse oximetry?
continuous and non-invasive measurement
what is the relationship between PaO2 and oxyhaemoglobin?
non-linear, S-shaped curve
why isn’t it deal to take thoracic radiographs of an animal in respiratory distress?
restraint for radiographs can exacerbate stress