Management Of Respiratory Systems

Question 1

What is the anatomy of the respiratory tract?

Answer 1

• upper respiratory tract
• lower respiratory tract

Question 2

What are common respiratory conditions in the upper respiratory tract?

Answer 2

• sore throat
• cold/flu
• rhinitis

Question 3

What are common respiratory conditions in the lower respiratory tract?

Answer 3

• coughs
• covid-19

Question 4

What are causes for coughs?

Answer 4

• bacterial or viral infections
• allergies
• post nasal drip
• covid-19

Question 5

When do you offer a referral, differential diagnosis?

Answer 5

• wheezing, shortness of breath
• coloured sputum and systemically unwell
• cough >3weeks
• pain on inspiration/chest pain
• drug induced cough/wheeze

Question 6

What are OTC treatments for chesty cough?

Answer 6

• robitussin (guaifenesin) - 10ml x 4/day
• benylin (diphenhydramine and levomenthol) - 10 ml x 4 / day
• covonia (levomenthol, squill and liquorice) - 5-10ml 4hrs if needed

Question 7

What are OTC treatments for dry cough?

Answer 7

• robitussin (dextromethorphan) - 10ml x 4/day
• benylin (Diphenhydramine, - dextromethorphan & Levomenthol) - 10ml x 4/day

Question 8

What are other OTC treatments for coughs?

Answer 8

• simple linctus - 5ml x4/day needed
• glcyerin, lemon and honey - 10 ml 4hrs needed
• broncho stop syrup - 15ml 4 hrs x4/day
• broncho stop pastilles - 1-2 4 hrs x 4/day

Question 9

What is the pragmatic to treating?

Answer 9

• rule out serious condition (patient history, co-morbidities, other meds, etc.)
• ask if patient has tried anything
• offer self help (treatment? Product choice?)

Question 10

What are other causes for sore throat?

Answer 10

• candida - refer
• glandular fever - refer
• quinsy - refer
• poor inhaler technique - help as pharmacist
• cancer/difficulty swallowing - refer

Question 11

What are other things to consider when making appropriate referral?

Answer 11

• severity of sore throat
• muscle aches
• fever
• duration of symptom
• cervical glands
• inflamed tonsils
• puss on tonsils

Question 12

What treatments to consider for sore throat?

Answer 12

• analgesics - paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen
• ultra chloraseptic spray - 3sprays 2-3hrs, max 8/day
• strepsils honey and lemon - 1 2-3hrs/12day
• olbas pastilles - 1 needed max 8/24hrs

Question 13

What is advice to give for sore throats?

Answer 13

• stimulation of saliva production
• gargles short duration vs lozenges
• diabetics - sugar free lozenges
• dont swallow mouthwashes

Question 14

What are colds like?

Answer 14

• common
• suffer 3-12 colds per yr
• children most vulnerable

Question 15

What do ppl present with when they have a cold?

Answer 15

• sore throat
• sneezing
• nasal discharge
• congestion
• cough
• post nasal drip
• fever
• headache
• malaise

Question 16

What do ppl present with when they have influenza?

Answer 16

• sudden onset symptoms
• shivers
• chills
• malaise
• aching of limbs
• non-productive cough
• loss of appetite

Question 17

When would you refer (cold/infleunza)?

Answer 17

• indicative of flu
• persistent uncontrollable fever
• signs of chest infection
• significant throat infection
• chest pain - RED FLAG

Question 18

How do you manage colds?

Answer 18

• analgesics
• lemsimp max
• benylin day and night
• beechams all in one tablets

Question 19

What are treatments if congestion is problematic?

Answer 19

• decongestants
• otrivine nasal spray
• sudafed
• tablets
• inhalations (Vicks Vaporub)