Pulmonology Flashcards
Lung conditions with increased A-a gradient
Diffusion limitation: ILD
Shunting: ARDS and intracardiac shunting
V/Q mismatch: COPD, atelectasis, PNA, pulmonary edema
When are breath sounds decreased in a patient with a consolidated lung field?
Normally they are increased, however, when the airway is no longer patent they are decreased.
When is diagnostic thoracentesis not the inital step in management in a patient with pleural effusion?
In patients with classic signs and symptoms of CHF, a trial of diuretic therapy is first indicated.
Tumors that most often cause malignant pleural effusions
Lung, breast and lymphoma
Indications for chest tube in a patient with parapneumonic effusion
Glc
Aspiration pneumonia vs. pneumonitis
Pneumonia: aspiration of oral cavity anaerobes, symptoms present days after aspiration and can progress to abscess in the RLL. Treat with clinda or beta-lactam + beta-lactamase inhibitor.
Pneumonitis: aspiration of gastric content, symptoms arise hours after aspiration, CXR shows infiltrates and symptoms resolve with supportive therapy.
S1Q3T3
S wave in lead I, Q wave in lead III and inverted T-wave in lead III. Seen with acute PE.
Light’s criteria
Pleural fluid protein:serum protein > 0.5
Pleural fluid LDH:serum LDH > 0.6
Pleural fluid LDH > 2/3 upper limit of normal serum LDH
Asthma classification and treatment
Intermittent: daytime sx ≤ 2x/week, nighttime sx ≤ 2x/month, normal PFTs. No activity limitations, albuterol PRN only.
Mild persistent: daytime sx > 2x/week (but not daily), nighttime sx 3-4x/month, normal PFTs. No activity limitations, albuterol PRN + ICS.
Moderate persistent: daytime sx daily, nighttime symptoms weekly, FEV1 60-80% predicted. Moderate activity limitation, albuterol PRN + ICS + LABA.
Severe persistent: sx throughout day, frequent nighttime awakenings, FEV1
Treatment of exercise-induced bronchoconstriction
1) albuterol 10-20 minutes before exercise. May also add leukotriene inhibitors and ICS as needed.
Ideal tidal volume for patient on ventilator
6mL/kg
How to anticoagulate people with DVT
If there is a reversible risk factor and it is their 1st provoked DVT, continue warfarin for 3 months.
If there is no known risk factor, continue for 6-12 months.
Next test in a patient with hypoxemia and bilateral alveolar infiltrates without risk factors for ARDS.
Echo to rule out cardiac etiology for pulmonary edema.
Main modulators of oxygenation? Ventilation?
Oxygenation = FiO2 (target is below 50-60%) and PEEP.
Ventilation = TV and RR
How does O2 supplementation exacerbate CO2 retention in patients with COPD?
1) You lose the compensatory vasoconstriction in areas of ineffective gas exchange, leading to V/Q mismatch.
2) Reduced CO2 uptake from peripheral tissue due to increased oxyhemoglobin concentration (Haldane effect)
3) Reduced respiratory drive = reduced minute ventilation
Target O2 levels in patients with COPD exacerbation
SaO2 90-93% and PaO2 between 60-70
Definition of chronic bronchitis
3 months of chronic productive cough for at least 2 years
Conditions with increased dead space ventilation
PE (V/Q = infinity because despite adequate ventilation, there is no blood flow)
Conditions with physiologic shunting
PNA (V/Q = 0 because despite adequate blood flow, there is no ventilation)
Risks of undergoing treatment for Hodgkin’s lymphoma later down the road
18.5-fold increased risk of developing secondary cancers after chemoradiation (lung, breast, bone, thyroid, GI, acute leukemia and non-Hodgkin lymphoma)
Time when patients may develop radiation fibrosis
4-24 months post-XRT
How to diagnose and treat aspergillosus
Dx: fungus ball on imaging + positive IgG serology.
Tx: itraconazole, surgery or bronchial artery embolization
Most common source of acute PE
Deep veins (iliac, femoral and popliteal)
Differences in COPD due to chronic smoking and patients with alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency
Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency results in panacinar emphysema and lower lobe destruction. Smokers tend to have centriacinar emphysema and upper lobe destruction.
Features of Legionairre’s disease that set it apart from CAP
GI symptoms, neurological symptoms, hyponatremia and high grade fever.
Treatment of PNA due to Legionella
Macrolide or fluoroquinolone