Pulmonology, part 2 Flashcards
DDx for acute courgh
Asthma exacerbation Chronic bronchitis COPD exacerbation Common cold CHF exacerbation GERD PNA Postnasal drip syndrome Seasonal allergies Sinusitis
Lab and diagnostic findings of acute bronchitis
Clinical dx
CXR- only if signs of PNA , or in elderly with many comorbidities
Influenza A/B nasal swab if fall/winter and signs of flu
Rapid strep if suspect it based on presentation
Sputum cultures not necessary unless PNA confirmed and concerned it is not community acquired
Mycoplasm serology if cough persists >2-3 wks, also consider risk of bordetella based on s/sx
Meds for acute bronchitis
Symptomatic tx: NSAIDs to improve malaise, Guaifenesin for cough
Albuterol inhaler if wheezing to use 2 puffs every 6 hrs prn while ill
Abx not recommended first line unless elderly pt with acute cough and have had a hospital stay within the past year, type 2 DM, or CHF, or chronic steroid
If pos influenza A or B- Tamiflu 75 mg BID x 5 days
Pathophys of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Acute inflammation of the bronchioles that is usually caused by a viral infection (usually RSV) and also from parainfluenza, influenza, and adenovirus.
Demographics of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
This condition can occur in people of all ages, but severe sx are usually only in young infants (peak in infants 3-6 mos)
Prognosis of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Usually self-limited.
Recovery begins with regeneration of bronchiolar epithelium after 3-4 days, however cilia do not regrow for as long as 2 wks
Transmission of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Spread by contact with resp secretions and highly contagious
RSV starts in Nov and peaks in Jan and Feb
High risk of hospital admit- acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Low birth weight Premature infants Lower socioeconomic group Parental smoking Chronic lung disease Severe congenital dz Age <3 mos Acute resp tract infection in children <5 yo is still the leading cause of mortality
PE findings of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Infants are fussy with difficulty feeding
Low grade fever <101.5
Increasing rhinorrhea and congestion
Adults- presents as the common cold
After 5 days, RSV in infants progresses to lower tract with cough, dyspnea, wheezing
Lab and diagnostic findings of acute bronchiolitis/RSV
In very ill pts, RSV rapid viral antigen test of nasopharyngeal secretions, ABG, CBC, blood cultures, CXR
Every pt, pulse ox and consider rapid flu testing if s/sx indicate
Only 7% develop secondary bacterial infections
Findings on CXR for acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Flattened diaphragm
Hyperinflation
Atelectasis
Criteria for hosp admission- acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Persistent oxygen saturation <92% in room air before albuterol tx
Markedly elevated RR
Dyspnea with intercostal retractions, resp distress
Chronic lung dz, esp if pt already on oxygen
Congenital heart dz
Age <3 mos when severe dz is most common
Difficulty in feeding and inability to maintain oral hydration <6 mos old
Meds- acute bronchiolitis/RSV
Only oxygen has demonstrably improved the condition of young children with bronchiolitis because it decreases the work of breathing
Albuterol neb tx
If sepsis suspected, IV amp or cefotaxime can be started until BCxs come back
Ribavirin is approved by FDA under certain criteria for hospitalized pts
Presentation of croup
Hoarseness
Seal-like barking cough
Variable degree of resp distress
Morbidity of croup
Secondary to narrowing of the larynx and trachea below the level of the glottis, causing the audible inspiratory stridor
Tx of croup
Mod-severe pts need dexamethasone, and hosp pts get nebulized racemic epi
Prognosis of influenza
In pts without comorbid dz, prognosis of influenza A and B is very good.
Avan flu has only been reported in 630 pts as of June 2013, with 375 deaths and limited to eastern Asia
Incubation period and complications of influenza
Types A, B, and C can lead to serious pulmonary infections, pneumonia and morbidity in those immune compromised
Incubation period ranges from 1-4 days
Shedding of virus continues for 5-10 days
Sx of influenza
HA Fever (usually high) Extreme tiredness Joint aches Runny or stuffy nose Sore throat Aches Coughing Vomiting
Health maintenance for influenza
Prevention is the key
Routine annual flu vaccine for 6 mos or older
PE findings of influenza
Fever Sore throat Myalgias HA Nasal d/c: clear rhinorrhea Weakness and severe fatigue Tachycardia Red, watery eyes