Pulmonary Flashcards
Pulmonary Embolism Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
DADACOS
Describe: A blockage in one or more of the pulmonary arteries in the lungs. A blockage is caused by a clot that has travelled from the legs.
S+S: Dyspnea, Angina, cough containing bloody sputum, arrhtymia, dizziness, sweating, fever, oedema, clammy, cyanosis
Caused by: When a clot travels up from the leg and gets lodged in the pulmonary arteries. MC a DVT. If the lungs are starved of oxygen long enough they can die (Pulmonary infarction).
Diagnosis: Blood tests to look for clot dissolving substance D dimar. Chest X-ray, US, MRI, Angiogram
Treatment: Anticoagulants and Thrombolytics
Complications: Pulmonary hypertension and death.
Pulmonary Fibrosis Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: A condition where pulmonary lung tissue becomes scarred and diseased. The scar tissue is a lot thicker and stiffer, making it more difficult for your lungs to work properly. Irreversible damage.
S+S: Dyspnea, dry cough, fatigue, weight loss, achy muscles, finger clubbing.
Caused by: PF thickens and scars the alveoli, making diffusion of oxygen into the blood more difficult. The damage can be due to environment (asbestos, silica, and coal dust), radiation (due to previous lung and breast cancer treatments), medication (Chemo, antiarrhythmic, and anti inflammatory drugs), and autoimmune conditions (SLE, RA, and Pneumonia).
Diagnosis: X-ray, CT, Echocardiogram, Pulmonary function testing, stress testing, biopsy, FBC, liver and U+E tests.
Treatment: Oxygen therapy and Lung transplant
Complications: Lung cancer, pneumothorax, pulmonary hypertension and respiratory failure.
Atelectasis Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: The partial or complete collapse of a lung or lobe. It occurs due to the alveoli becoming deflated or full of fluid and is a very common complication of surgeries.
S+S: Dyspnea, wheezing, cough
Caused by: A blocked airway or pressure from the outside of the lung. General anaesthesia as it chances your usual breathing pattern and exchange of gases. Tumours, foreign bodies, Injury, pleural effusion, pneumothorax, pneumonia, scar tissue.
Diagnosis: CT, US, Blood oxygen level
Treatment: Physio breathing exercises, surgery.
Complications: Pneumonia, respiratory failure, sepsis
Pleural effusion Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: The build up of excess fluid between the pleura on the outside of the lungs. The job of the pleura is to lubricate during the breathing cycle.
S+S: Chest Px, dyspnea, dry non-productive cough, orthopnea
Caused by: HF, PE, Cirrhosis, Pneumonia, cancer, autoimmune, CKD
Diagnosis: X-ray, CT, US
Treatment: CHF, Chemotherapy, Thoracotomy
Complications: Lung collapse
Pleurisy Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: The pleura (2 thin layers that lubricate the outside of the lung) become inflamed causing sharp chest Px worse during breathing. The Px comes from the 2 layers rubbing together.
S+S: Chest Px when breathing, coughing, sneezing, dyspnea, cough, fever
Caused by: Viral/Bacterial/Fungal infection, Autoimmune, lung cancer, PE, TB, Fx
Diagnosis: FBC for infection, X-ray, CT, US, ECG, Thoracoscopy
Treatment: Lifestyle changes, NSAIDs
Complications:
Pneumothorax Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: A collapsed lung, it occurs when air leaks into the space between the lung and the chest wall.
S+S: Sudden chest Px, shortness of breath
Caused by: Blunt or penetrating injury to the chest (RTC or needle), Lung diseases
Diagnosis: X-ray, CT, US
Treatment: Needle aspiration, blood patch, bronchoscope
Complications:
Cystic fibrosis Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: A inherited disorder that causes significant damage to the lungs, digestive system, and other organs. It affects mucus secreting cells by incread of allowing the music to lubricate, the mucus becomes sticky and thick, plugging airways.
S+S: Usually diagnosed within the first month of life due to CF screenings, but if not screened they may be unaware until symptoms arise. Symptoms include Persistent cough with thick mucus, wheezing, recurring lung infections, sinusitis, stuffy nose, foul smelling stool.
Caused by: Congenital gene mutation
Diagnosis: CF screening
Treatment: No cure but symptoms can be managed with bronchodilators, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory’s.
Complications: Bronchiectasis, Chronic infections, polyps, pneumothorax, respiratory failure, diabetes, liver disease, infertility.
COPD Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: An inflammatory lung disease that causing obstruction of the airways and breathing difficulties, cough, wheezing, mucus. Emphysema and chronic bronchitis.
Emphysema is a condition where the alveoli are destroyed as a result of damaging exposure.
Chronic bronchitis is inflammation of the bronchial tubes carrying oxygen to the alveoli.
S+S: Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, chronic cough.
Caused by: Cigarette smoke and irritants
Diagnosis: Lung function tests, Lab tests, X-ray, CT,
Treatment: Bronchodilators, inhalers, oxygen therapy
Complications: Respiratory infections, high pulmonary BP, depression, and Lung cancer.
Asthma Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: A condition where your airways narrow, swell, and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult and triggering coughing and wheezing.
S+S: Shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, sleep difficulty.
Caused by: Air born allergens, respiratory infections, cold air, GORD
Diagnosis: Spirometry and peak flow
Treatment: Inhaled corticosteroids, short acting beta agonists
Complications:
Influenza Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: A viral infection that attacks your respiratory system, it usually resolves on its own, but can have deadly complications.
S+S: Fever, aching, chills, headache, cough, dyspnea, sore throat
Caused by: Droplets in the air
Diagnosis: Physical exam and PCR
Treatment: Rest
Complications: Pneumonia, Bronchitis, Asthma, Heart conditions
Bacterial pneumonia Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: An infection causing inflammation of the air flaps within one or both lungs causing a cough with phlegm, fever, chills, dyspnea
S+S: Chest Px, confusion, cough, fatigue, fever, nausea
Caused by: Bacteria (streptococcus), fungus, bacteria, percussion dullness
Diagnosis: Blood test to see whats causing infection, X-ray, sputum test
Treatment: Antibiotics and Px relief
Complications: Bacteria in blood, Pleural effusion, lung abcess
TB Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: An infectious disease affecting the lungs. The bacterium TB is spread from person to person via air droplets, many TB strains are antibiotic resistant.
S+S: Coughing, blood in sputum, Chest px, unexplained weight loss, fatigue, fever, night sweats
Caused by: Bacterium, drug resistance, Weakened immune system through HIV, kidney diseases, cancer
Diagnosis: Skin test, blood test
Treatment:
Complications: Spine Px, Jt Px, Meningitis, Liver and kidney problems
Sleep Apnea Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: Upper airway obstruction during sleep, MC in men between 40 and 60 with 17inch necks
S+S: Snoring, dry mouth and gasping for air during sleep, morning headache, insomnia.
Caused by: Muscles of the thorax relaxing and narrowing, as you breathe in meaning you cant get oxygen. Common in obesity, use of alcohol and sedatives, smoking
Diagnosis: Home sleep tests
Treatment: CPAP Sleeping devices, weight loss, oxygen tank
Complications: HBP, Diabetes, liver problems
GORD Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: Occurs when stomach acid frequently flows back into the oesophagus, irritating the lining. 2 mild cases or 1 severe case per week.
S+S: Heart burn, chest px, difficulty swallowing, severe acid reflux
Caused by: acid reflux aggravated by obesity, smoking, and pregnancy
Diagnosis:
Treatment: H2 receptor blockers, Endoscopy and Barium meal
Complications:
Costochondritis Describe: S+S: Caused by: Diagnosis: Treatment: Complications:
Describe: Chest wall px and inflammation of the cartilage connecting the sternum to the ribs. This Px imitates an MI
S+S: L breastbone, sharp pressure and more than 1 rib
Caused by: Injury, strain, arthritis, tumour
Diagnosis:
Treatment: NSAIDs
Complications: