Occupational and Environmental Flashcards
Most common cancer associated with asbestosis
Lung cancer
Past exposure to asbestos is specifically indicated by these findings on chest x-ray
Pleural plaques
Miminum latency between first exposure and development of lung cancer in asbestosis
15-19 years
Clinical and pathologic features of acute silicosis are similar to this condition
Pulmonary alveolar proteinosis
Intervention that may provide symptomatic relief and slow the progression of acute silicosis
Whole-lung lavage
Characteristic HRCT pattern seen in acute silicosis
Crazy paving
Caused by long-term, less intense exposure to crystalline quartz; small rounded opacities in the upper lobes on CXR after 15-20 years of exposure
Simple silicosis
Pattern of calcification of hilar nodes in silicosis
“Eggshell” pattern
Enlargement of lung masses in silicosis associated with significant functional impairment with both restrictive and obstructive components
Progressive massive fibrosis
Autoimmune connective tissue disorders associated with silicosis (2)
RA and scleroderma
Test for specific cell-mediated immune response to beryllium
Beryllium lymphocyte proliferation test
In a beryllium-sensitized individual, the presence of this finding in lung tissue establishes the diagnosis of chronic beryllium disease
Noncaseating granulomas or monocytic infiltration
Constituent of tungsten carbide (“hard metal”) which is likely the etiologic agent of both the interstitial pneumonitis and the occupational asthma that may occur
Cobalt
Occupational lung disease that should always be considered in patients with clinical findings suggestive of sarcoidosis
Chronic beryllium disease
Toxic chemical agent associated with nasopharyngeal cancer
Formaldehyde
Exposure to this toxic chemical agent from smelting, smoldering, or battery production is associated with ARDS
Cadmium fumes
Syndrome of fever, chills, malaise, and occasionally mild wheezing after inhalation of volatilized fluoropolymers such as Teflon
Polymer fume fever
Metal fume fever is a self-limited influenza-like syndrome, which results from acute exposure to fumes or smoke that contain this agent
Zinc oxide
Most common exposure leading to metal fume fever
Welding of galvanized steel
A term used to describe the decreased ability to work due to the effects of a medical condition
Disability
Impairment refers to the physiologic dysfunction
Test to assess airway reactivity in patients with asthma who have normal spirometry
Methacholine challenge
Indoor exposure to this gas in homes is associated with lung cancer
Radon
Second leading environmental hazard for poor health, just behind unsafe water, sanitation, and hygiene
Indoor exposure to biomass smoke