COPD Flashcards
What is orthopnoea?
Breathlessness when lying on your back (supine)
What is pleuritic chest pain?
Chest pain when breathing in
Why are RBC levels significant when investigating breathlessness?
If someone is breathless, it may be due to anaemia (low levels of haemoglobin/RBCs)
What could a higher-than-normal haemoglobin level tell you about a breathless patient?
They have increased oxygen demand, which could be due to smoking, COPD, heart, kidney, or liver failure.
What does the level of C-reactive protein tell us?
High levels of C-reactive protein tells you there’s inflammation in the body, which indicates there’s an infection
How does a hyperexpanded (‘barrel chest’) arise?
Person can’t expel all the air out of their lungs, so their lungs are chronically overinflated. This means that the ribcage is always partially expanded.
What is obstructive lung disease? Give an example of 4 obstructive conditions. How does these affect FEV1/FVC?
. Difficulty getting all air out of lungs, air is exhaled more slowly
. COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, CF
. FEV1 reduced because air can’t quickly pass through airways= reduced FEV1:FVC ratio
What is restrictive lung disease? Which conditions give rise to it? How does it affect FEV/FVC?
. Can’t fully expand lungs with air
. Fibrosis and obesity
. FEV1 and FVC both equally, so FEV1:FVC ratio should be approximately normal
What is nicotine replacement therapy (NRT)?
Provides low levels of nicotine without tar or carbon monoxide e.g. nicotine patch or e-cigarettes
What is the function of salbutamol and how does it act?
. β2- agonist used for asthma, activates β2-adrenoceptors on bronchial smooth muscle to relax, resulting in bronchial dilation
. Allows increased airflow and inhibits bronchial spasms
Which neurotransmitter is normally responsible for bronchial dilation?
Noradrenaline released from sympathetic post-ganglionic neurones
How do anticholinergic bronchodilators work?
. Block muscarinic M3-receptors on bronchial smooth muscle to block bronchoconstriction and make it easier to breath
. Otherwise (in response to irritant/stimulant), post-ganglionic parasympathetic neurones secrete AC, which binds to M3-receptors and causes bronchodilation
