Brainscape's Knowledge GenomeTM

Browse over 1 million classes created by top students, professors, publishers, and experts.


See full index

Module 103, Theme 3: Physiology of the CVS: principles of pathology, diagnosis and treatment of CV diseases. > Cough and breathlessness > Flashcards

Cough and breathlessness Flashcards

1
Q

Signs and symptoms

A

Symptoms:
Felt by the patient, usually subjective.
Example: pain, fatigue, nausea.

Signs:
Things observed usually by the clinician.
Includes:
Haemoptysis, hypertension, hypoxaemia etc.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
2
Q

Cough reflex pathway

A

Irritation of the airway/alveoli—-> Inspiration —-> Compression of thorax —-> Expulsion of air from thorax caused by contraction of expiratory musculature.

Cough initiated from medulla control- prevents aspiration

Stimulated by sensory nerve (irritant receptors) in:
Epithelium of pharynx
Larynx
Trachea
Bronchi
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
3
Q

Purpose of cough reflex

A

Prevents aspiration- drawing in of breath.

Supplement clearance mechanism for when mucociliary clearance is no functioning properly.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
4
Q

Acute cough

A

Cough that only lasts for up to 2 weeks.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
5
Q

Persistent/ prolonged/ sub-acute cough

A

Cough lasting 2-8 weeks long

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
6
Q

Chronic cough

A

Cough lasting up to 8 weeks.

Common causes:
Rhinitis
Asthma
Reflux oesophagitis

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
7
Q

Common causes of cough ( 6)

A

Common cold

Lower respiratory tract infection- pneumonia

COPD

Rhinitis

Oesophageal reflux

Smoking

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
8
Q

Uncommon causes of cough (7)

A

Passive smoking

Lung tumour

Heart failure

ACE inhibitors

Occupational exposure

TB

Psychological

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
9
Q

7 types of cough

A

Dry

Smoker’s

Bovine

Productive

Whooping

Croup

Chronic

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
10
Q

Dry cough

A

Occurs when there is irritation in the throat and airways.

Nothing is expelled from the cough

Causes:
Irritants
Allergies
Common cold
Asthma
How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
11
Q

Smoker’s cough

A

Chronic cough- lasting for 8 or more weeks.

Usually in the morning

Produces little sputum.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
12
Q

Productive cough

A

Cough that expels material.

If sputum is infected= purulent.

Not normally suppressed by drugs

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
13
Q

Antitussives

A

Drugs that stop coughing.

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
14
Q

Describing sputum

A

Colour

Quantity and quality

Smell

Haemoptysis- from lungs.
(Haematemesis, from GI)

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
15
Q

Haemoptysis

A

Sputum that contains blood.

Bright red blood indicates:
PE
Malignancy
TB

Rusty colour:
Acute pneumonia

Pink and frothy:
Pulmonary oedema + LVF

How well did you know this?
1
Not at all
2
3
4
5
Perfectly
16
Q

Bovine cough

A

Cough that lacks explosive character

Cause:
Vocal cord paralysis
Damage from thyroid surgery
Carcinoma of bronchus compressing L recurrent laryngeal nerve.

17
Q

Whooping cough

A

Cough caused by bacterial infection of Bordetella pertussis- presence of an inspiratory ‘whoop’

Spreads via droplets

Incubation period: 7-10 days

Catarrhal to paroxysmal phase.

18
Q

Croup cough

A

Cough characterised by a ‘barking’ like sound- associated with stridor

Due to mainly viral infections but can also be due to diptheria.

Infection causes swelling of inside the trachea.

Viral infections include:
Respiratory syncytial virus
Influenza

19
Q

Cough history

A

Clarifications need to be made to help diagnosis:

  • How long the cough has been happening.
  • The time of the day coughing happens.
  • Type of cough.
  • The triggers
  • Sputum?
  • SOB?
20
Q

Systemic symptoms related to cough

A

Malaise

Fever

Weight loss

Breathlessness

21
Q

Other respiratory symptoms associated with cough

A

Nasal discharge and other nasal symptoms.

Phlegm

Wheeze

Dyspnoea

22
Q

Management of cough

A

Fluid

Smoking cessation

Avoid smoky places

1 tsp honey + hot water.

Stay in warm, humid environments.

23
Q

Stridor

A

High-pitched breath sound due to turbulent airflow in larynx or lower bronchial tree.

Can be to respiratory tract obstruction.

Can be seen in croup

24
Q

Causes of sudden onset of breathlessness

A

Pneumothorax

Inhalation of a foreign body.

PE

Hyperventilation

25
Q

Causes of breathlessness with onset lasting hours

A

Asthma

Laryngeal oedema

Heart failure

pneumonia

Diabetic keto-acidosis

26
Q

Cause of breathlessness that lasts days/ weeks

A

Pneumonia

Heart failure

27
Q

Cause of breathlessness that lasts for months/ years

A

Tumours

Pulmonary fibrosis

Muscle weakness

Chronic airway obstruction (i.e COPD)

Chest wall disorder.

Module 103, Theme 3: Physiology of the CVS: principles of pathology, diagnosis and treatment of CV diseases. (20 decks)

Brainscape helps you reach your goals faster, through stronger study habits.
© 2024 Bold Learning Solutions. Terms and Conditions