Common Chest Histories - Haemoptysis

Question 1

What would you ask about haemoptysis?

Answer 1

• Duration, progression, timing
• Cough
• Sputum

Question 2

What sysmteic symptoms would you want to ask about in someone with haemoptysis?

Answer 2

• Fever, sweats, weight loss
• Chest pain
• SOB
• Palpitations
• Wheeze
• Leg swelling

Question 3

What features associated with haemoptysis would suggest pneumonia as a cause?

Answer 3

• Acute productive cough
• May be assocaited SOB
• Systemic symptoms - fever

Question 4

What features assocaited with haemoptysis would suggest PE?

Answer 4

• Pleuritic chest pain and SOB
• Risk factors - surgery, immobility, malignancy, pregnancy, long haul flight

Question 5

What features associated with haemoptysis would suggest lung tumour?

Answer 5

• Persitent cough
• Weight loss
• Significant smoking history

Question 6

What features associated with haemoptysis would suggest bronchiectasis?

Answer 6

• Chronic productive cough
• Recurrent chest infections
• Cause - CF, TB, immunosuppression, childhood resp infection

Question 7

What are causes of haemoptysis?

Answer 7

• Pneumonia
• PE
• Lung tumour
• Bronchiectasis
• Prolonged coughing
• Pulmonary oedema
• Mitral stenosis
• TB
• Laryngeal carcinoma
• Polyarteritis nodosa
• Goodpastures
• Aspergillosis