Chronic SOB Flashcards
Define asthma
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease characterised by intermittent airway obstruction and hyper-reactivity
What are the symptoms of asthma
- wheeze
- cough
- SOB
patient would have recurrent episodes
There is also variation is symptom presentation (worst in morning and evening)
What is the aetiology of asthma
- history of atopy
- Family history
- Smoker
- occupation
- pets
What is the signs of asthma
- General inspection:
May be normal
May have nasal polyposis - On auscultation:
Wheeze
What are the investigations for asthma
- Spirometry:
FEV1/FVC ratio
<80% of predicted - Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR):
PEFR varies by at least 20% for 3 days in a week - Bloods:
Normal or raised eosinophils or neutrophilia
Criteria for diagnosing asthma
- FEV1/FVC <70%
- PEFR varies by at least 20% for 3 days in a week over several weeks OR PEFR increases by at least 20%
- Reversibility: 12% pre and post-brochodilator FEV1
Patient with asthma: what should the GP do on each visit
- Important for GP to check inhaler technique
- inhaler adherence
- Symptoms (adjust medication as needed)
It’s also important for the GP to promote smoking cessation, weight loss
What are the steps in asthma treatment
Step 1: Inhaled short-acting beta agonist (e.g. salbutamol)
Step 2: Step 1 + inhaled low dose corticosteroid (beclomethasone)
Step 3: Inhaled long-acting beta agonist (e.g. salmeterol)
Increase dose of inhaled corticosteroid (e.g. beclomethasone)
Step 4: consider trials of theophylline, oral beta agonist, oral leukotriene receptor antagonist
Step 5: Oral corticosteroids
How is acute asthma classified
Moderate: PEF 50-75%
Acute-severe: PEF 33-50%
Life threatening: PEF <33%
Near fatal: pCO2: raised
Investigations for acute asthma
- Basic observations (e.g. HR, spO2)
- measure and record PEF
- O2 saturation and maintain spO2 at 93-98%
- ABG:
repeat ABG if PaO2 <8kPa, unless spO2 >92%; or initial PaCO2 is normal or raised; or if patient deteriorates - Serum K+ and glucose
In acute asthma, what should be done if aminophylline is continued for >24 hours
Serum theophylline concentration should be taken
What is the management algorithm for acute exacerbation of asthma
- oxygen
- Neb. salbutamol, 5mg
- oral prednisolone 40-50mg
- IV hydrocortisone 100mg
- IV magnesium sulphate (+ senior help)
- IV aminophylline
- ITU + intubation
With patients with acute-sever or life-threatening asthma (or those with poor response to salbutamol therapy), what can you give in step 2
Neb. Ipatropium Bromide, 0.5mg
A 17 year-old girl presents to the local A&E complaining of worsening shortness of breath, despite use of what she describes as her ‘blue inhaler’. On examination her oxygen saturations are 95%, she is afebrile and has a BP of 101/67. The attending physician takes an ABG and the results are shown below. Grade the severity of this patient’s asthma attack.
pH: 7.25 pCO2: 7.4 kPa (4.5-6.0) pO2: 10.4 kPa (>10.5) HCO3: 23 mmol/l
A. I cannot tell from the information available B. Moderate C. Acute severe D. Life threatening E. Near fatal
E. Near fatal
A 26-year-old bus driver presents to the GP complaining of a worsening shortness of breath. On examination, the patient is afebrile, has a BP of 110/85 and has a marked wheeze on auscultation. The only medications the patient is on is Salbutamol, PRN. What is the next most appropriate treatment step as per the treatment guidelines for this condition?
A. Replace the blue inhaler with a brown, low-dose inhaled corticosteroid
B. Replace the blue inhaler with a long-acting beta-agonist medication
C. Replace the blue inhaler with a long-acting muscarinic agonist medication
D. Add an inhaled low-dose corticosteroid to her medications, taken OD
E. Add oral corticosteroid tablets to her medications, taken OD
D. Add an inhaled low-dose corticosteroid to her medications, taken OD
Define COPD
COPD is a preventable and treatable disease state characterised by airflow limitation that is not fully reversible. It encompasses both emphysema and chronic bronchitis
What are the symptoms of COPD
- SOB
- Productive cough
- some wheeze
What is the aetiology of COPD
- Increased age
- Family history
- smoker
- occupation
What are the signs of COPD
General inspection: 1. Tar staining 2. Cyanosis 3. Barrel Chest Palpitation: 1. Reduced expansion 2. Hyper-resonance on percussion Auscultation: 1. Reduced air movement 2. wheezing 3. coarse (hair-like) crackles Other: signs of HF
What does COPD not cause
clubbing
How is COPD classified
In all cases post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC is <0.7
FEV1%: >80% Mild 50-79% Moderate 30-49% severe <30% very severe
What are the investigations for COPD
1. Spirometry FEV/FVC ratio: <0.7 2. Pulse oximetry low oxygen saturation 3. ABG PaCO2: >50 mmHg and/or PaO2: <60 mmHg (suggestive of respiratory insufficiency) 4. CXR hyperinflation