L1-2: Cardiorespiratory Physiotherapy Assessment Flashcards
What are 5 assessments that the physio needs to find out before their assessment?
- Medical chart
- Bed chart
- Patient interview
- Physical examination
- (Medical team)
= Identify the patient’s main problems and determine goals of physiotherapy management
What are 6 pieces of information found in the medical chart? What is important when looking at the medical chart?
Ensure I have the correct patient’s chart
- Cross check for correct chart, bed and patient
- Will be found at the hospital station (“nurses” station)
- History of presenting condition (HPC)
- Previous medical history (PMHx) & Medication history (/ Drug history DHx)
- Family history (FHx)
- Social history (SHx)
- Patient examination
- Medical diagnosis & plan
- ± Operation notes (Module 2); Special orders
This information will guide assessment and treatment
What are 2 characteristics of “history of presenting condition (HPC)” in the medical chart?
Onset and course of episode
- Medical (eg. chest infection/exacerbations)
- Surgical (eg. removal of stomach)
What are 5 examples of “previous medical history (PMHx) and Management” in the medical chart?
EXAM QUESTION
- Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) (see ILP1)
- Asthma (see ILP1)
- Cardiovascular disease, Hypertension (see ILP2)
- Diabetes (?Type)
- Systems review
- Respiratory, Cardiac, Neurological, Gastrointestinal, Renal…
What are 5 characteristics of “Social history (SH)” in the medical chart?
- Occupation
- Hobbies
- Family / support
- Home environment
- Stairs
- Functional history
- Mobility aid
- Exercise tolerance
- Eg. Distance before onset of symptoms
What are 5 characteristics of “Patient examination” in the medical chart?
- Chest X-ray (CXR)
- Spirometry (FEV1, FVC)
- Sputum analysis
- M/C/S (micro, culture and sensitivity)
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Arterial blood gases (ABG)
- Blood results (FBC, ELFTs)
- Cardiac enzymes
- AFBs (acid fast bacilis) (TB)
- Endoscopy, colonoscopy
What are 3 characteristics of “+/- operation notes” in the medical chart?
- Procedure
- Anaesthesia:
- Anaesthesia time
- Surgical time
- Recovery – any events
- Management:
- Return to ward
- Pain relief
- Initial post-op course
What are 5 characteristics of “+/- special order” in the medical chart?
- Physiotherapy (Eg. refer to physiotherapy)
- Oxygen therapy (device, flow rate)
- Fluid orders (clear, free, thickened, soft, full ; nil by mouth- Possible aspirations)
- Pain relief (oral; epidural; IV; PCA, PCEA)
- Other specific orders (eg, weight-bearing status)
What are 5 characteristics of “medical plan” in the medical chart?
- Medications
- Dose
- Frequency
- Route
- Consider:
- Timing wrt physiotherapy
- Side-effects impact on Ax & Rx
What are 2 characteristics of medical chart enteries (porfolio task, then clinic)?
- Ensure you explain any physio-specific abbreviations the first time in each chart entry, then you can use the (accepted) abbreviation
- Start practicing this skill for simulations, clinical placements & beyond.
What are 7 checklists (pieces of information) in the bed chart? What is important in the bed chart?
- Vital signs
- Pain
- Medications
- Fluid balance
- Blood glucose
- Neurological status (eg. GCS)
- Nil by Mouth
What are 5 vital signs in the bed chart?
- Temperature (normal ~37°)
-
Heart rate (normal ~60-100 beats/min)
- Bradycardia <60 beats/min
- Tachycardia >100 beats/min
-
Blood pressure (normal ~120/80)
- Hypotension ≤ 90/60
- Hypertension ≥ 140/90
-
Respiratory rate (normal ~12-16 breaths/min)
- Bradypnoea <10 breaths/min
- Tachypnoea >20 breaths/min
-
Oxygen:
- Fractional concentration (FiO2) via device (ie, np, MVM)
- ~21% (room air)
- Can have possible nose prongs for icreased FiO2
- Saturation, ie via pulse oximetry (SpO2)
- Fractional concentration (FiO2) via device (ie, np, MVM)
What are 4 example “medication” for Bed chart?
- Respiratory
- Eg.bronco-dilator = ~20-40mins (optimal window)
- Cardiac
- Analgesic
- Antiemetic
Consider:
- timing wrt physiotherapy
- side effects –> impact on Ax & Rx
What are 4 characteristics of “fluid balance” for Bed chart?
- Fluid IN – eg. water, IV
- Fluid OUT – eg. urine
- Balance over 24 hours
- Consider trend
What is a characteristic of “blood glucose” for Bed chart?
Aim for 4-6mmol/L
What are 3 characteristics of “haemoglobin” for Bed chart?
- Men 13-18 g/dL
- Women 11.5-16 g/dL
- *<7 requires transfusion; avoid mobilisation
- Indicators Haemoglobin is too low = at risk of fainting
What is a characteristic of “neurological status” for Bed chart?
Normal respiratory rate (breath) =_____ - _____
Normal body temperature = ______˚ (>____˚ high, ____˚ near death)
12-16
37; 38; 40
What are the 4 characteristics of patient interview? What are the 4 purposes of patient interview?
- What do I already know from the pt’s medical records?
- What do I need to clarify, or gather further info about from the pt?
- Will this info influence my Ax & / or Mx?
- Do I need to ask this question NOW?
- Why do I need to ask each question?
What are 7 pieces of information found in the patient interview? What is important when looking at the patient interview?
What are 2 characteristics of “patient’s main concerns” in the patient interview?
Generally, start with open-ended questions, eg:
- “What do you feel is your main concern?”
- “What troubles you most?”
[This question is approached differently post-surgery]
What are 5 key topics in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Sputum (+ Haemoptysis)
- Wheeze
- Chest pain
*Be flexible to suit patient’s presentation
*Compare current to usual where relevant
What are 4 post-surgery concerns in the patient interview?
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
What are 4 epidural concerns in the patient interview?
- Pins and needles
- Numbness
- Weakness
- Heaviness
- Headache
What is important when comparing the 5 respiratory key topics?
Compare current to usual
What are 4 characteristics of “1. breathlessness/dyspnoea (respiratory)” in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
SOB; WOB (Work of Breathing)
- Aggs , Eases
- Positions of ease- (can encourage patient to use)
- Distance; stairs
“Short of breath or huffed” is main concern
What is aspiration? Which lung is it common in?
inhaling food or drink
- Most common in R lung (R bronchi is more vertical)
What are 4 characteristics of “2. cough (respiratory)” in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
- Frequency
- Daytime
- Nocturnal
- After eating / drinking (= aspiration)
- Acute / chronic
- Effectiveness
- Pain
- Weakness
- Productive / non-productive
- Productive = producing phlegm (either coughing out or swallowed)
- Non-productive = no phlegm coughed up
- Quality
- Wet / dry
- Wheezy; raspy; bark-like…
What are 5 characteristics of “3. sputum (respiratory)” in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
Quantity
- Small, moderate, copious …
- Teaspoon, tablespoon, cup …
Quality
- Consistency
- Eg. thick, thin, watery, plug/cast…
- Colour
- Eg. clear, cream, yellow, green, brown
- Haemoptysis (blood in sputum): streaks (Part of sputum of body) vs frank (Fresh blood)
- ±Odour (where appropriate)
What is the difference between “secretions” vs “sputum” vs “mucus” vs “phlegm”?
“secretions”
- While still in the body (lungs)
“sputum”
- Once coughed out
“mucus” vs “phlegm”
- Used for patients (lay term)
What is a characteristic of “4. wheezing (respiratory)” in the patient interview? (N/A)
EXAM QUESTION
Wheezing
What are 8 characteristics of “5. chest pain (respiratory)” in the patient interview?
EXAM QUESTION
- At rest vs with movement / cough:
- Area
- Type: sharp, dull, blunt…
- Severity (VAS)
- History
- Other MS / body pain (we treat the whole person, not just their lungs)
- Pulmonary
- Neuro-Musculoskeletal
- Cardiac
- Mediastinal
What are 5 specific questions in the patient interview?
- Asthma
- Previous hospital admission
- Previous ICU admission
- Action plan: medication / management
- Recent URTI (upper respiratory tract infection)
- Smoking History
- Pack years
- If / when ceased
- ± Alcohol consumption
- ± Incontinence “When you cough, do you find that you leak some urine?”)
- Be sensitive (usually for patients with chronic cough)
What are 3 specific questions for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)? What are the 5 management for COPD?
- Last exacerbation
- Change in symptoms
- Cough
- Sputum: quality, quantity
Management:
- COPD-X
- Physiotherapy
- Medications
- Supplemental O 2 use
- Exercise program
- Preferences
What are 3 specific questions for Diabetes?
- Type
- Management
- Sensation in feet
What are 5 specific questions for ischaemic heart disease (IHD)?
- Angina
- History
- Area of pain/sensation
- Precipitating factors
- Exercise tolerance
- Management ; medications (timing)
- What do they do when they have angina?
What are 3 specific questions for peripheral vascular disease (PVD)?
- Claudication
- Pain when walking (how long it takes before pain from walking)
- Sensation in feet
- Management ; skin care
What is pack years for cigarettes?
1 pack ≈ 20 cigarettes
Number of pack years = packs per day x years
Eg. “1 pack per day, for 40 years”
- = 1 x 40
- = 40 pack years
OR
- = (cigarettes per day x years) / 20
Eg. “15 cigarettes per day for 40 years”
- = (15 x 40) / 20
- = 30 pack years
What are 4 characteristics of social history in patient interview?
- Home situation
- House
- Nursing home
- Retirement village
- Level of assistance
- Meals
- Home cares
- eg BlueCare, family, neighbour
- Access, environment
- Stairs / rail
- Hobbies
- Sedentary VS active
What are 4 characteristics of functional history in patient interview?
- ADLs, employment, school, hobbies…
- Exercise tolerance:
- Regular exercise
- Distance
- Flat
- Incline
- Stairs
- Use of aids (if relevant)
- Inside home
- Community ambulation
- Use of supplemental O2 (if relevant)
- Duration of use (ie, 24hr vs with activity)
- Mode of delivery (eg. nasal prongs, mask)
What are 5 tips in patient interview?
- Wait! Why am I asking each Q?
- Prioritise depending on presentation
- Be flexible - modify to suit patient presentation / responses; closed vs open Qs
- Conversational approach
- LISTEN
What is the Top to Toe approach for the physical examination?
Start at the head and follow to the bottom (feet)
What are the 6 characteristics of the physical examination?
- Observation
- General; Environment; Attachments
- Patient –> Respiratory, Circulatory
- Palpation
- Auscultation
- Cough
- Lower limbs
- Specific assessmen
What are the 9 characteristics of general observation in the physical examination?
- Position ; Posture
- Facial expression
- eg. grimace; drowsy vs alert
- Speech pattern (?SOB)
- Level of consciousness
- Attachments
- Body shape
- Muscle tone
- Colour (lips, limbs, tips)
- – eg. cyanosed, flushed, pallor
- Digital clubbing, peripheral oedema
Then move onto specific respiratory & circulatory observation
What are the 9 characteristics of attachment observation in the physical examination?
- Oxygen
- Nasal prongs; mask
- Flow rate
- Nasogastric tube (NGT)
- IV lines, medications
- Location (eg. peripheral; central)
- Analgesia (PCA, epidural, PCEA)
- Monitoring (eg. ECG leads)
- Intercostal catheter (ICC)
- Wound drains
- Indwelling catheter (IDC)
What are the 3 overall functions of attachments? What are the 3 Ds?
What are 2 characteristics of the patient’s hands in observation in physical examination?
What are 5 respiratory observations in the physical examination?
- Respiratory rate (Table 2.3)
- Chest shape
- Breathing pattern: movement & symmetry (Table 2.3)
- Accessory muscle use
- Paradoxical movement
- Eg:
- Intercostal drawing
- Jugular notch
- Hoover’s sign
- Respiratory alternans
- Eg: