Diseases of The Respiratory System Flashcards
what forms the upper respiratory tract?
from the nose to the thoracic inlet (includes nasal cavity, oral cavity and cervical portion of trachea)
what makes up the lower respiratory tract?
trachea, bronchi, bronchioles and alveoli
define medical condition
abnormality/malfunction of a body system
what can give an idea of potential causes/differential diagnoses of medical conditions?
a through history and clinical exam
what is used to confirm a diagnosis?
diagnostic and labs tests
what can be formulated after a diagnosis is reached?
treatment plan
what is happening during acute respiratory failure?
lungs are unable to oxygenate blood or exchange carbon dioxide
is acute respiratory failure an emergency?
yes - patient will die without intervention
what are some common causes of respiratory failure?
airway obstruction (e.g. BOAS) ruptured diaphragm pulmonary oedema/haemorrhage pneumo/pyo/haemo/chylothorax neoplasia infection toxin ingestion
what is chylothorax?
chest filled with lymphocyte rich fluid
what are the signs of respiratory failure?
cyanosis distress inspiratory dyspnoea expiratory dyspnoea dyspnoea tachypnoea orthopnoea tachycardia weak pulses collapse unconciousness
what type of dyspnoea is associated with upper respiratory tract noises?
inspiratory
what sounds are associated with inspiratory dyspnoea?
snoring
stertor
stridor
what is stridor?
high pitched sound from the larynx
what sounds are associated with expiratory dyspnoea?
wheezes
crackles on auscultation
what is orthopnoea?
position adopted by dogs and cats when they are dyspnoeic
abduction of elbows and extension of neck
how may oxygen be administered to the conscious patient?
flow by nasal catheter nasal prongs face mask oxygen tent oxygen cage or incubator
what may be needed if oxygen is being provided to the conscious patient?
sedation (butorphanol)
how does a nasal catheter provide oxygen?
inserted into the nasal passages and connected to an oxygen supply
what can an oxygen tent be formed from?
cage covered in cling film or buster collar with cling film covering
what must be ensured if creating an oxygen tent?
that there is an escape route for expired gas/heat
how may oxygen be administered to the unconscious patient?
endotracheal intubation
what is ensured by ET tube use?
patent airway
how can you ensure that your patient has a patent airway?
ET tube
head and neck extension
tracheostomy
what is required if a patient has a tracheostomy tube?
constant monitoring
when may a tracheostomy tube be placed?
with profound disease which affects the larynx/pharynx making intubation impossible
what are the key nursing considerations for a patient with acute respiratory failure?
observe and monitor medication (sedation) care of drains patient is likely to recumbent change in environment where possible exercise inhalation therapies feeding barrier nursing
what are the 3 main sections of the respiratory system?
upper respiratory tract
lower respiratory tract
pleural cavity
what are the clinical signs of upper respiratory tract diseases?
nasal discharge (uni/bilateral) sneezing reverse sneezing stertor/snoring systemic or CNS signs
what is reverse sneezing?
rapid inspiration of a large volume of air
how may nasal discharge appear?
serous
mucopurulent
haemorrhagic
what are you looking for in the physical examination of a patient with upper respiratory tract diseases?
listen for noises nasal discharge facial deformity/pain nasal planum depigmentation assess airflow bilaterally assess regional lymph nodes retropulsion of the eyeballs (exophthalmia) look for dental disease look for ophthalmic disease
what are the inflammatory differential diagnoses for nasal disease?
idiopathic
allergic
irritation
what are the main differential diagnoses for nasal disease?
inflammatory infectious neoplastic trauma/fracture foreign body systemic causes misc.
what are the infectious differential diagnoses for nasal disease?
bacterial (secondary)
virus
fungal
parasitic
how can nasal disease be investigated without GA?
routine bloods
tests for bleeding disorders
serology for fungal diseases
viral testing in cats
what tests are available for bleeding disorders?
platelet count
PT/APTT
what investigations of nasal disease may be performed under anaesthesia?
full oral exam
dental probing
nasopharyngeal swab in cats
what imaging techniques may be used to investigate nasal disease?
x rays
CT scan of the head
endoscopy
what x-ray views are most helpful when assessing nasal disease?
intra-oral nasal views
where should endoscopic investigation of the nasal cavity be started with?
retrograde view of the nasopharynx
what is nasal flush useful for?
both diagnosis and therapy
what must be done when performing a nasal flush?
pack pharynx appropriately
how can nasal biopsy be performed?
blind or endoscopic
why must you be careful when performing nasal biopsy?
ensure that biopsy is taken of the nasal cavity and not the brain (due to degeneration of cribriform plate)
why should you check coagulation times before you perform a nasal biopsy?
the nasal cavity is highly vascular and so bleeding is likely
what are the nursing considerations associated with rhinoscopy?
nose will bleed alot
be prepared
biopsy will often be needed
consider topical agents
what level of anaesthesia is required for rhinoscopy?
requires GA
local blocks LA/IV
what can be done to aid slowing of bleeding that occurs during rhinoscopy?
ice packs on the nose
intranasal adrenaline
- both to lead to vasoconstriction
what are the key elements of nursing care for nasal disease?
treat dyspnoea first if present try and stop haemorrhage remove foreign object if present monitor food/fluid intake correct and adequate nutrition removal of dried nasal discharge grooming decongestant therapy isolate if infection suspected
how can nasal haemorrhage be stopped?
ice packs, pressure and adrenaline soaked swabs
what is sino-nasal aspergillosis most commonly caused by in dogs?
Aspergillus fumigatus
what dogs are predisposed to aspergillosis?
meso/dolichocephalic breeds
what is the effect of aflatoxins produced by aspergillosis on the nasal cavity?
profound inflammatory response
extensive turbinate and bone destruction
what can aspergillosis be secondary to?
tumor or foreign body
what is sino-orbital aspergillosis in cats due to?
Aspergillis felis
what cat breeds are predisposed to aspergillosis?
brachycephalic breeds
what are the common clinical signs of aspergillosis?
mucopurulent nasal discharge or epistaxis (uni/bilateral)
sneezing
nasal pain
nasal depigmentation
what are the uncommon clinical signs of aspergillosis?
stertor
facial deformity
CNS signs
how can aspergillosis be diagnosed?
challenging! serology PCR imaging rhinoscopy cytology histopathology fungal culture
how can rhinoscopy aid diagnosis of aspergillosis?
visualisation of plaque
what imaging modalities may be used for diagnosis of aspergillosis?
radiography
MRI
CT
what is shown on MRI or CT images of a patient with aspergillosis?
turbinate destruction
increased soft tissue opacity
increased soft tissue density in frontal sinuses
when is trephination required to treat aspergillosis?
if frontal sinuses only involved
what is trephination?
catheters inserted into frontal sinus
how is aspergillosis treated?
mechanical debridement endoscopically
topical antifungal
oral itraconazole (not generally effective)
refurral needed
when should topical antifungal not be used to treat aspergillosis?
if cribriform plate is not intact as the brain is exposed
what is the preferred treatment method for aspergillosis?
trephination and flushing with saline followed by clotrimazole flush and instillation of clotrimazole cream
are repeated aspergillosis treatments required?
often yes
what are BOAS conditions the result of?
poor breeding and body confirmation in dogs with short noses
what breeds is BOAS common in?
french bulldogs
english bulldogs
pugs
what is BOAS?
brachyocephalic obstructive airway syndrome
what are the primary abnormalities found in animals with BOAS?
excessive soft tissues in skin and airways
stenotic nares
elongated/thick soft palette
hypoplastic trachea
are BOAS associated congenital defects normal presentations?
no - severely compromise quality of life
why is an elongated soft palette problematic in brachycephalic dogs?
soft palate passes epiglottis and can block airway
what secondary problems can be caused by BOAS?
respiratory and digestive issues
what is the main digestive issue caused by BOAS?
hiatal hernia leading to regurgitation
what is the main secondary respiratory issue caused by BOAS?
laryngeal collapse
how do patients compensate for BOAS issues?
pull harder on inspiration which creates negative pressure in the throat, neck and chest leading to secondary respiratory and digestive problems
what are the presenting signs of BOAS syndrome?
load breathing exercise intolerance sleep deprivation gagging regurgitation vomiting
how is BOAS diagnosed?
physical exam and owner history exam under sedation fluroscopy/barium swallow CT of head rhinoscopy chest x-rays CT scan
what are the key elements of nursing care involved with BOAS patients?
owner education discourage ownership/breeding keep calm and stress free avoid excessive heat often require surgery use harness instead of collar to prevent breathing difficulties
what are the main causes of laryngeal paralysis?
congenital
trauma
nerve infiltration
in what type of dog does laryngeal paralysis often occur?
older, large breed dog
why is it thought that laryngeal paralysis occurs in older dogs?
decline in nerve function
how does laryngeal paralysis present?
exercise intolerance
soft, ineffectual cough
inspiratory stridor
may present as an emergancy
how is laryngeal paralysis diagnosed?
laryngeal exam under sedation/GA
what are the main nursing considerations for laryngeal paralysis?
keep animal calm - sedate avoid collar/anything around neck keep animal cool provide oxygen as long as it doesnt cause stress provide steroids may require surgical intervention
what should patients with laryngeal paralysis be monitored for?
aspiration pneumonia
dysphagia
megaoesophagus
why may laryngeal paralysis patients be given steroids?
to reduce laryngeal oedema
in what types of animal is tracheal collapse seen?
small / toy breeds
whereabouts on the trachea does tracheal collapse most often occur?
any part possible but most often at thoracic inlet
what appears to predispose patients to tracheal collapse?
obesity
what is the key sign of tracheal collapse?
goose honking cough
how is tracheal collapse diagnosed?
physical exam
x-ray / fluoroscopy
how does x-ray / fluoroscopy aid tracheal collapse diagnosis?
shows tracheal positioning
what are the key nursing considerations associated with tracheal collapse?
sedation (butorphanol) provide medication cage rest exercise restriction harness only - no collar oxygen therapy possibly intubate if acute
what are the long term changes needed for a patient with tracheal collapse?
weight loss
surgery with possible stent
what medication may be given to a patient with tracheal collapse?
antitussive
corticosteroids
bronchodilators
why is intubation risky in patients with tracheal collapse?
will lead to further inflammation which may worsen condition
define cough
sudden expiratory effort against a closed glottis - results in sudden noisy expulsion of air from lungs
define dyspnoea
difficulty breathing, increased respiratory effort
define tachypnoea
increased rate of breathing
define hyperpnoea
increased respiratory effort without dyspnoea
define orthopnoea
adapting posture to facilitate breathing - often sit or stand with elbows abducted and neck extended
what is a key sign of lower respiratory tract disease?
cough
what is the aim of a cough?
protective reflex to clear excess secretions / foreign material
where are the majority of cough receptors located?
in large airways
where are fewer cough receptors located?
nose, sinuses, pharynx and pleura
what is detected in the respiratory tract by mechanical receptors?
mucous
foreign body
what is detected in the respiratory tract by chemical receptors?
acid
heat
what nerves form the afferent pathway of the cough reflex?
sensory vagus nerve
where is the cough centre located in the brain?
medulla oblongata
what nerves make up the efferent cough reflex pathway?
vagus, phrenic and spinal motor nerves
what muscles are supplied by efferent cough reflex pathways?
diaphragm
abdominal wall
what is cough associated with aside from LRT disease?
congestive heart failure
why is a cough associated with congestive heart failure?
airways begin to fill with fluid which stimulates mechanorecptors
what effect does oedema have on the respiratory system?
more tachypnoea
what are the main harmful effects of a cough?
exacerbate airway inflammation and irritation
emphysema
pneumothorax
weakness and exhaustion of respiratory muscle
dissemination of infections
what are the signs of lower respiratory tract disease?
cough tachypnoea dyspnoea exercise intolerance weakness cyanosis syncope
when diagnosing a patient with LRT disease what should be assessed first?
patient - are they getting enough oxygen and how can stress be reduced
what must be considered when trying to reduce stress in respiratory patients?
offering sedation
calm environment
what must be done with a LRT patient following triage?
stabilise (e.g. oxygen tent)
what should be observed about the patient with suspected LRT disease?
posture
rate and rhythm of breathing
what must be observed about the LRT patients respiratory rate and rhythm?
is there inspiratory or expiratory effort / both
shallow or labored breathing
when observing a LRT patient from a distance what are you looking for?
URT noise (e.g. stertor/stridor) wheezing
when should thoracic auscultation only take place?
when patient is stable
when auscultating the chest what are you listening for?
crackles wheezes HR and rhythm heart murmur muffled or lack of heart sounds
what are you listening for while percussing the chest?
increased or decreased resonance
what investigations may be performed on a patient to diagnose LRT disease?
clinical pathology assessment of oxygenation laryngeal exam imaging of chest assessment of pleural space disease advanced techniques
what test can be used for lungworm?
faecal smear
how does a faecal smear for lungworm work?
faeces are suspended in water and viewed under the microscope to check for worms
how can a patients oxygenation be assessed?
pulse oximetry (SpO2) arterial blood gas analysis (PaO2)
what is being assessed when performing laryngeal exam?
structure of larynx (any masses/collapse) function (any paralysis)
when is a laryngeal exam performed?
under GA
what are you looking for when performing radiography of the chest?
pulmonary patterns (bronchial, alveolar, interstitial)
heart and vessels appearance
masses
pleural space
when may a CT scan of the thorax be used?
more sensitive so can show things not seen on x ray
when may an ultrasound be used to assess LRT disease?
looking for thoracic mass
T-FAST for thoracic fluid
what is bronchoscopy used for?
collection of brochoalveolar lavage
view of lower airways
foreign body removal
what must cats be pre-treated with before bronchoscopy?
terbutaline
what can samples collected through BAL be used for?
cytology
culture
PCR