Pulmonology Flashcards
A pt presents with shortness of breath with expiratory wheezing, use of accessory muscles and possibly inability to speak in complete sentences most likely suffers from …
Asthma
What are five important features of severe asthma exacerbation?
- hyperventilation/ increased respiratory rate
- decrease in peak flow
- hypoxia
- respiratory acidosis
- possible absence of wheezing (omnious sign bc means no airflow)
What is the diagnostic test for suspected active asthma?
pulmonary function tests (PFTs) before & after bronchodilators (increase in FEV1 > 12%)
What is the diagnostic test for suspected asthma in an asymptomatic pt with history of asthmatic symptoms?
methacholine stimulating testing (decrease in FEV1 in response to metacholine)
What is the best initial treatment for a pt with acute asthma exacerbation?
- inhaled bronchodilators (albuterol)
- bolus of methylprednisone (needs 4-6 hours)
- inhaled ipratropium
- oxygen
- magnesium
When should a pt presenting with asthma exacerbation be placed in ICU?
if have respiratory acidosis with CO2 retention (persistence indicates need for intubation and mechanical ventilation)
What are the 4 things that should be performed for all patients with shortness of breath presentation?
- oxygen
- continous oximeter
- chest x-ray
- arterial blood gas
What is the best initial therapy for nonacute asthma?
inhaled bronchodilator (albuterol)
What is the next best step in management of a nonacute asthma not controlled by inhaled bronchodilator?
add inhaled steroid (chronic controller medication)
What is the next best step in management of nonacute asthma not controlled by inhaled bronchodilator and inhaled steroid?
add long acting inhaled beta agonist (salmeterol or formeterol)
What is the last resort for managing nonacute asthma not controlled by other medications?
oral steroids
What is a treatment that is specific for asthma associated with extrinsic allergies (such as hay fever)?
cromolyn or nedocromil
What is a treatment that is specific for asthma associated with atopic disease?
montelukast
What is a treatment that is specific for asthma exacerbation associated with COPD?
tiotropium or ipratropium (inhaled anti-muscarinic)
What is a treatment that is specific for asthma associated with high IgE levels and not controlled with cromolyn?
omalizumab (IgG that is anti-IgE)
What is the best treatment for exercise-induced asthma?
inhaled bronchodilator prior to exercise
A long-term smoker presents with increasing shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance most likely suffers from …
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
What six things should be performed at the initial presentation of COPD exacerbation?
- oxygen
- arterial blood gas (assess for CO2 retention)
- inhaled albuterol
- inhaled ipratropium
- bolus of methylprednisone
- chest X-ray (to assess for possible pneumonia)
What should be added to treatment if fever, sputum and/or new infiltrate on chest X-ray are present in a COPD exacerbation?
ceftriaxone and azithromyocin
What is the best treatment for mild respiratory acidosis in a COPD exacerbation?
CPAP or BiPAP
When should a COPD exacerbation pt be intubated?
if worsening drop in pH (indicative of worsening respiratory acidosis)
What are the pulmonary function testing results associated with COPD? (6)
- decrease FEV1
- decrease FVC (loss of elastic recoil)
- decrease FEV1/FVC ratio
- increase total lung capacity
- increase residual volume
- decrease in DLCO (diffusion capacity of lung carbon monoxide)
What is included in chronic medical therapy of COPD?
- tiotropium/ ipratropium inhaler
- albuterol inhaler
- pneumococcal vaccine
- influenza vaccine
- smoking cessation
- long term home oxygen (if indicated)
When is long term home oxygen indicated for COPD treatment?
- pO2
What are the two treatments in the chronic medical therapy of COPD that lowers mortality?
- smoking cessation
2. home oxygen therapy
A non-smoking pt
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
What is the treatment for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?
alpha-1 antitrypsin infusion
What are diagnostic tests for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency? (4)
- chest x-ray (bullae, barrel chest, flat diaphragm)
- low albumin and elevated prothrombin time (due to cirrhosis)
- low alpha-1 antitrypsin level
- genetic testing
A pt presents with chronic resolving and recurring episodes of lung infection with very high sputum volume, hemoptysis and fever most likely suffers from …
Bronchiectasis (profound dilation of bronchi)
What is the best initial test for suspected Bronchiectasis?
shows tram tracking (parallel lines) and dilated bronchi
What is the most accurate test for suspected Bronchiectasis?
high resolution chest CT
What is the best supportive therapy treatments for bronchiectasis?
- chest PT with cupping and clapping (dislodge secretions)
2. rotating antibiotics as infections occur
A pt presents with shortness of breath with dry, nonproductive cough, chronic hypoxia, episodes of bronchitis/ pneumonia, dry velcro rales, loud P2 (sign of pulmonary hypertension) and clubbing most likely suffers from …
Interstitial Lung Disease (ILD)
if no known etiology, then idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
A pt with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease with exposure to abestos (old building,etc) most likely suffers from..
Asbestosis
A glass worker/ miner/ sanblaster/ brickyard worker presents with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease most likely suffers from…
Silicosis
A coal worker presenting with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease most likely suffers from…
Coal worker’s pneumoconiosis
A cotton worker presenting with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease most likely suffers from ….
Byssinosis
An electronic/ ceramics/ fluorescent light bulb worker presenting with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease most likely suffers from …
Berylliosis
responds to steroids; granulomatous
A pt exposed to mercury presenting with signs and symptoms of interstitial lung disease most likely suffers from …
Pulmonary fibrosis
What are the pulmonary function test results associated with interstitial lung disease (ILD/ pulmonary fibrosis)?
- decreased FEV1
- decreased FVC
- normal FEV1/FVC ratio
- decreased total lung capacity
- decreased residual volume
- deceased DLCO
When is a trial of steroids indicated as treatment for interstitial lung disease?
biopsy shows inflammatory infiltrate (berylliosis responds to steroids as a granulomatous disease)
What medications are associated with development of interstitial lung disease? (2)
- trimethoprim-sulfamethizole (Bactrim)
2. nitrofurantoin
A pt presents with actue development of cough, rales, shortness of breath with fever, malaise and myalgias and without any occupational exposure most likely suffers from …
Bronchiolitis obliterans organizing pneumonia (BOOP)/ cryptogenic oragnizing pneumonia (COP)
What is the most accurate diagnostic test for suspected BOOP/COP?
open lung biopsy
Chest X-ray shows bilateral patchy infiltrates; chest CT shows interstitial disease and alveolitis
What is the treatment for BOOP/COP?
steroids
An african american female
Sarcoidosis