COPD Flashcards
In emphysema why do the lungs hyperinflate?
Unable to resist the natural tendency of the rib cage to expand outwards.
Give 4 causes of COPD
Smoking
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Occupational
Pollution
What percentage of smokers will develop COPD?
15%
Name 3 symptoms of COPD
Cough - productive
Sputum
Breathlessness - progressive
Exacerbation can occur - infective reasons
Briefly describe the MRC dyspnea score.
1 - breathlessness on exercise
2 - walking up slight hill
3 - walks slower on level ground due to breathlessness or has to walk at own pace
4 - cant walk more than 100m or after a few minutes without stopping to take a breath
5 - too breathless to leave the house or breathless when dressing or undressing
What are some signs of COPD?
Purse lip breathing Tachypnoea Accessory muscle usage Cyanosis Barrel chest Wheeze or quiet breath sounds on auscultation
What are 2 advantages of Spirometry?
Reproducible and non-invasive technique.
What would you expect to see on a Spirometry tracing of someone with COPD?
FEV1 <80%
FEV1/FVC <70%
What are the NICE guidelines for FEV1 percentages in COPD?
Mild obstruction - FEV1 50-80%
Moderate obstruction - 30-49%
Severe obstruction - <30%
What drugs does COPD drug therapy use.
Brochodilators Steroids Antimuscurinics Mucolytics Methylxanthines
Give some adverse effects of B2 agonists.
Tremor Tachycardia Anxiety Hypokalaemia Palpitations
When can acute glaucoma be seen as an adverse effect of anticholingerics?
Nebuliser anticholinergic in conjunction with B2 agonists
Give some systemic adverse effects of anticholinergics.
SVT
AF
Urinary difficulty and retention
Constipation
Give some adverse effects of Menthylxanthines
Tachycardia
SVT
Nausea
Seizures
What is the criteria for LTOT?
pO2 <7.3 or 8 with cor pulmonale.
