Dyspnea pearls

Question 1

dyspnea/what should alw be in the radar(4)

Answer 1

lung: Pneumonia Asthma COPO lung BV: Pulmonary emboli

Question 2

dyspnea/on Hx, alw do what, w cc of dyspnea?

Answer 2

Always quantify the incr in dyspnea from baseline= how much change from baseline. Significant changes suggest serious disease and warrant thorough evaluations.

Question 3

dyspnea/HF/ signs often present?

Answer 3

commonly ABSENT even in advanced HF.

Question 4

dyspnea/in pt w COPD and dyspnea./ alw do which imaging test?

Answer 4

do ECG/HF = frequently present but unsuspected ,/in patients in whomw dx COPD

Question 5

dyspnea/diastolic murmur/ is it ever ok? What the next steps?

Answer 5

diastolic murmur is ALWAYS abnormal and warrants evaluation (echocardiography)

Question 6

dyspnea/diastolic murmur strongly suggests…? Which o murmur can also be heard for this dz?

Answer 6

aortic regurgitation /systolic murmurs are often the only murmur heard in pt w aortic regurgitation

Question 7

dyspnea/pt w COPD exacerbation Unexplained/ consider…

Answer 7

pulmonary emboli

Question 8

dyspnea/classic presentation of PE is..

Answer 8

the exception! Pts may have very few symptoms. A high index of suspicion must be maintained for the diagnosis of PE

Question 9

dyspnea/hypoxia and PE/ Nl arterial O2 Rule out PE?

Answer 9

normal arterial oxygen does not rule out PE. BUT unexplained hypoxia+ a nl CXR should increase the suspicion of PE.

Question 10

dyspnea/clinical exam for DVT sensitive?best test to order?

Answer 10

clinical exam for DVT is NOT sensitive/order D-dimer or duplex US studies.