Cough Flashcards
bronchiectasis, pneumonia, TB, lung cancer, asbestosis
What is bronchiectasis?
chronic condition that causes increased mucus production and permanent dilation of the bronchi/bronchioles secondary to an underlying cause
Which organisms commonly cause bronchiectasis?
H influenzae
S pneumoniae
S aureus
P aeruginosa
What are some common congenital causes of bronchiectasis?
CONGENITAL Cystic fibrosis Primary ciliary dyskinesia Alpha 1 anti-trypsin deficiency Young's Syndrome
What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?
Chronic cough (+ copious green sputum) SOB Haemoptysis Fever Weight loss
What are the signs of bronchiectasis?
Basal crepitations on auscultation
Squeaks/pops on inspiration
Clubbing
What investigations would you do on a Pt with bronchiectasis?
Imaging:
- CXR (first line)
- High res CT (gold standard/most appropriate)
Bloods + cultures
- ABG
- FBC (raised WCC
- Sputum culture
- Pulmonary function (dec FEV1, inc RV/TLC)
Underlying cause:
- Serum alpha-1 antitrypsin levels
- Sweat NaCl concentration and genetic testing for CFTR
What will you see in a CXR and CT in bronchiectasis?
CXR- dilated thickened walls
CT- signet ring sign
What is the conservative management of a Pt with bronchiectasis?
IRREVERSABLE- SUPPORTIVE MANAGEMENT
Exercise and nutrition
Vaccinations
Airway clearance therapy:
- Chest physiotherapy (postural drainage/percussion)
- High frequency oscillation devices
- Nebulised hypertonic saline (hyperosmolar agent)
- Inhaled bronchodilator (salbutamol)
What is the prognosis of a Pt with bronchiectasis?
Irreversible
Depends on the severity and recurrence of exacerbations
What are the complications of a Pt with bronchiectasis?
Haemoptysis
Recurrent infections
Respiratory failure
Cor pulmonale (RHF)
What is pneumonia?
Inflammation of the lung parenchyma caused by bacteria, virus, or fungi (LRTI)
What are the three types of pneumonia?
Community acquired pneumonia
Hospital acquired pneumonia
Aspiration pneumonia
What are the common causes of CAP?
Streptococcus pneumoniae
Haemophilus influenzae
Moraxella catarrhalis
What are the common causes of HAP?
Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Escherichia coli
Klebsiella pneumoniae
Staph aureus
What are the common causes of atypical pneumonias?
Legionalla pneumophila Chlamydia psittaci Mycoplasma pneumoniae Chlamydia pneumoniae Coxiella burnetti (Q fever)
‘legions of psittaci MCQ’
What are the mechanisms of entries for pneumonia?
Inhalation (viral/atypical)
Aspiration of URT secretions
Haematogenous from local infx (endocarditis)
Direct extension from local foci (TB via lymphatics)
What are the symptoms of pneumonia?
Productive cough with coloured sputum Fever SOB (dyspnoea) Chest pain (pleuritic) Confusion
What are the signs of pneumonia on inspection
Fever Confusion Respiratory distress- use of accessory muscles Cyanosis (peripheral/central) Raised HR/RR reduced chest expansion
What are the main investigations for pneumonia?
CXR- area of consolidation FBC- raised WCC ABG Sputum MC+S Pleural fluid MCS (via thoracentesis) Blood cultures- if severe
What is the scoring system for pneumonias?
CURB-65
What is CURB-65?
Confusion Urea >7 Resp rate >=30 Blood pressure (S<90, D<=60) Age >=65
What should you do for a Pt with a CURB-65 of 0-1?
Treat at home (GP)
What should you do for a Pt with a CURB-65 of 2?
Consider hospital treatment (A+E, short stay)
What should you do for a Pt with a CURB-65 of 3+?
Severe pneumonia, admission + consider ITU
What should you after giving a Pt with pneumonia antibiotics?
Repeat CXR in 6 weeks
What is the prognosis of a CURB-65 of 0-1?
30 day mortality <1%
What is the prognosis of a CURB-65 of 2?
30 day mortality 5-15%
What is the prognosis of a CURB-65 of 3+?
30 day mortality 20-50%
What are the complications of pneumonia?
Septic shock
C difficile from ABx use
HF/resp failure in elderly
How is Legionella transmitted?
Via aqueous environments such as air conditioners and contaminated water supplies
What is the difference between Legionnaire’s disease and Pontiac fever?
LD- Legionella pneumonia
PF- non-pneumatic Legionella
What are the symptoms of a Legionella pneumonia?
Prodromal flu-like symptoms (fever, malaise, myalgia)
Dry cough, can become productive
Nausea, DnV
Why are atypical pneumonias different from typical pneumonias?
They cannot be detected by Gram stains and cannot but cultured by standard methods
What additional investigations would you do for a Legionella pneumonia?
Urinary antigen detection
U+E- hyponatraemia
LFTs- deranged
What is the treatment for a Legionella pneumonia?
IV fluoroquinolones OR macrolides
eg. ciprofloxacin OR clarithromycin
What are the characteristics of a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection?
Opportunistic fungal infx
AIDS defining illness
What is the treatment for a Pneumocystis jirovecii infection?
high dose Co-trimoxazole
What are the characteristics of a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection?
Seen in Pts with bronchiectasis/CF
What is the treatment for a Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection?
Treat with piptazobactam (piperacillin + tazobactam)
What is the presentation of Mycoplasma pneumonia?
Insidious onset
Persistent cough
Low grade fever
From a close community setting
What is seen in the blood film of a Mycoplasma pneumonia infection?
Red cell/cold agglutinins
What is the treatment for a Mycoplasma pneumonia infection?
Erythromycin/clarithromycin
What type of Pt often presents with a Staph aureus infection?
IVDU
What is seen in a CXR of a Pt with a Staph aureus infection?
Patchy consolidation
Forms abscesses
What is the treatment for a Staph aureus infection?
Flucoxacillin
What is the treatment for an MRSA infection?
Vancomycin
What is the modality of transport for TB?
Aerosol droplets
What are the two conditions required for a Pt to present with TB?
Quite hard to catch TB- need prolonged exposure and:
- Infection of Mycobacterium tuberculosis
- Inadequate immune system