Resp Flashcards
What does a sputum sample film show in acute bronchitis?
Neutrophil granulocytes (inflammatory WBCs)
When is Abx indicated in acute bronchitis?
- When bacterial infection is suspected.
- CRP 20 - 100mg/l (delayed prescription
- CRP > 100mg/l (Abx therapy)
If Abx is indicated in acute bronchitis, what is the 1st line?
Doxycycline (5-day course)
- X pregnancy, uses amoxicillin (500mg TD for 5 days)
- young people (amoxicillin)
What pathogen causes influenza?
RNA virus - orthomyxoviridae
How is influenza diagnosed?
Clinical diagnosis
- viral culture - PCR
What are the symptoms of influenza?
- Coryzal symptoms
- Fever
- Headache
- Non-productive cough
- Sore throat
Management of influenza and indication for medication
Antivirals:
Selective use of antivirals : oral oseltamivir and inhaled zanamivir
Indication:
1) if able to start treatment within 48 hours of symptoms onset
2) Known circulation of virus in community
3) High-risk : pregnant, obese, > 65 + < 6 y.o, immunocompromised, comorbidities
Conservative:
- analgesia
- increase fluid intake
- rest
What is croup?
- Inflammation of the upper respiratory tract
- acute laryngotracheitis
- due to viral infection
What organism is most responsible for croup?
- Parainfluenza
- RSV
What are the symptoms of croup?
Seal-like barking cough
- runny nose
- fever
- stridor
- voice hoarseness
How do you diagnosis croup?
Clinical diagnosis
- Significant resp impairment ( O2 <95%)
What is the management of croup?
Conservative:
- ensure patient remains calm ; agitation can lead to increased o2 demand
- paracetamol (for fever)
Medical:
- Whilst awaiting hospital admission: give O2, oral dexamethasone
- Mild illness (no hospital admission): single dose corticosteroid (oral dexamethasone)
- -> symptoms usually resolve within 48 hours
Is RSV contagious?
Yes
What is the most common complication RSV?
Bronchiolitis
What age group is most affected by RSV?
- Babies in 1st year of life
- Usually 3-6 months
How is RSV spread?
air droplet
What are the RSV symptoms?
Cold-like symptoms:
- low grade fever
- wheezing
- chest congestion / rhinorrhea
- SOB
- Cough
What is the management of RSV?
- Conservative : observation + hydration
- Medical: Bronchodilators, alpha agonists
What is bacterial pneumonia?
- bacterial mediated inflammation
- infection of the lung tissue in which the alveoli become filled with MO, fluid & inflamm cells
What are the most common microorganism causing bacterial pneumonia?
- streptococcus pneumonia
- H.influenza
- staphylococus aureus
What are the key symptoms for bacterial pneumonia?
- Green Productive Cough*
- SOB
- Fever
- Chest pain
What are the key signs for bacterial pneumonia?
- Increased tactile & vocal fremitus
- Dullness to percuss
- Bronchial breath sounds
- Late inspiratory crackles
Investigations for pneumonia?
- CXR : to identify location and extent
- CRP : inflammation
What score is used to admit pt to hospital with pneumonia?
CRB-65
> 3 = urgent admission
> 2 = hospital management
0 = conservative management at home
Management of bacterial pneumonia?
Medical
Abx:
- co-amoxiclav (hospital)
- amoxicillin = 500mg TD for 5/7 (home) (1st line)
- oral doxycycline = (penicillin allergy)
Oxygen for hypoxia
Long-term: pneumococcal vaccine
What are the key symptoms for viral pneumonia?
Non-productive cough
Systemic symptoms:
- fever
- runny nose
- myalgia
- fatigue
What are the investigation findings for viral pneumonia?
- Viral PCR
- CXR : more likely bilateral consolidation
Management of viral pneumonia
Conservative:
- fluids & oxygen therapy
- flu vaccine for high risk groups
Medical:
- self-resolving
Antiviral depending on the causative organism:
- Tamiflu = oseltamavir, influenza = zanamavir
- Herpes & VZV = acyclovir
- RSV = Ribavarin
What is acute bronchiolitis?
- Acute viral infection of the LRT
- Characterised by epithelial destruction, cellular oedema & airwary obstruction by inflamm debris & mucus
Most common cause of bronchiolitis
RSV
what are the symptoms of acute bronchiolitis?
- Fever
- Cough
- Poor feeding
- Apnoea
What are the signs of acute bronchiolitis?
Clinical diagnosis: < 2 presenting with 1-3 days hx of coryzal symptoms
- persistent cough
- tachypnoea or chest recession (both)
- wheeze or crackles OA (both)
Investigation for acute bronchiolitis
CLINICAL DIAGNOSIS
- check 02 sats
- CXR not recommended unless evidence of deterioration
Management of acute bronchiolitis
Conservative:
- self-limiting , can be managed at home
Medical:
- O2 if sats < 92%
- CPAP if resp failure
- Ribavarin (RSV)
- oral corticosteroids (hx of wheeze)
Referral:
- RR > 60 breaths/min
- inadequate fluid intake/ signs of dehydration
- if child is < 3 months or born prematurely.
What is acute epiglottitis?
Cellulitis of the supra-glottis - may cause airway compromise.
- Airway emergency in children
What is the most common cause for acute epiglottitis?
H.Influenza
What are the symptoms of acute epiglottitis?
- Sore throat
- Stridor
- Tripod position : lean forward + extending neck.
- Dysphagia
- Fever
- Drooling
What are the signs for acute epiglottitis?
High - pitched inspiratory wheeze
* DO NOT EXAMINE THROAT*
What are the investigation finding for acute epiglottitis?
Lateral neck radiograph - THUMB SIGN
What is the acute management for acute epiglottitis?
1st line = contact paediatrics + arrange same day review & admission (anaesthetists)
- Secure airway + oxygen
- IV Abx
- Corticosteroids (dexamethasone)
once stable and extubated –> 1st line : oral abx (amoxicillin)
What is the surgical management of acute epiglottitis and when is it indicated?
Tracheostomy (compromise of airway)
What are the complications of acute epiglottitis?
- Abscess formation
- Sepsis
- Pneumothorax
- Meningitis
What is pertussis?
- Whooping cough
What organism causes pertussis?
- Bordetella Pertussis
How is pertussis transmitted?
- Sneeze or cough (airborne)
What is the pathophysiology of pertusis?
- BP toxins anchor to the epithelium.
- Toxin paralyse the cilia –> excess mucus build up
- Mucus build up triggers violent cough reflex (coughing spells, “paroxysms”)
- Swollen airways cause whooping noise
What are the 3 phases of symptoms called in Pertussis?
1st phase = catarrhal
- runny nose
- malaise
- sore throat
- low-grade fever
- dry cough
2nd phase = paroxysmal (1-6 weeks)
- short expiratory burst followed by inspiratory gasp (whoop)
- thick mucus secretions
3rd phase = convalescent (3 months)
- gradual improvements in cough frequency + severity
What are the key symptoms should you suspect for pertussis?
Acute cough > 14 days w/ no apparent cause w/:
- paroxysmal cough
- inspiratory whoop
- Post-tussive vomiting
- undiagnosed apnoeic attack
How to diagnose pertussis?
Nasopharyngeal swab
What is the medical management of pertussis?
1st line:
- macrolide abx : clarithromycin, erythromycin for pregnant women
- co-trimoxazole if contra-indicated
House hold prophylaxis
< 6 month - admission to hospital
How long to isolate with pertussis?
- 21 days after symptoms onset
- 48 hours after abx
What is empyema?
Defined as the presence of frank pus in the pleural space.
What are the common infection causing empyema?
- Due to post pneumonia
- Anaerobic, staph & gram-negative infections
- Klebsiella: alcoholism, currant jelly-like sputum.
What is the aetiology of empyema?
free flowing fluid which becomes infected
What are the symptoms of empyema?
- SOB
- Fever
- Pleuritic chest pain
What are the signs of empyema?
- Tachypnoea
- Reduced breath sounds
- Dullness to percuss
What are the investigation findings of empyema?
CXR: blunting of the costophrenic angle or effusion on affected side
CRP & WCC- raised in infection
What investigation is diagnostic for empyema?
Thoracentesis: aspiration of the frank pus
What is the management of empyema?
+ 1st line
- IV empirical abx:
- Community = Ceftriaxone + metronidazole
- Hospital = vancomycin + cefepime + metronidazole
+ Chest tube drainage
+ Fluid resuscitation
What is chronic bronchitis?
Long-term inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes
What are the symptoms of chronic bronchitis?
- Cough
- Sputum
- Fatigue
- SOB
- Chest discomfort
What is the 1st line for infective
exacerbation of chronic bronchitis?
Amoxicillin or clarithomycin
What is emphysema?
Condition causes SOB due to damaged alveoli in the lungs
What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?
- SOB (progressive & at rest)
- Fatigue
- Central & peripheral cyanosis
- Persistent wheeze
- Productive cough
What are the signs of emphysema?
- ” Pink puffers”
- Accessory muscle use
- Barrel chest
- Hyper-resonance on percussion
- Absent or quiet breath sounds on auscultation
What are the investigation for emphysema?
- Bloods: Serum Alpha 1-antitrypsin
- CXR
- Sputum culture
- Lung function test
What is the management for emphysema?
Conservative:
- Smoking cessation
- Pulmonary rehabilitation
- Nutrition therapy
Medical:
- Oxygen therapy
- Bronchodilators (SABA/SAMA, LABA/LAMA)
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Antibiotics – of bacterial infection
Surgery:
- Lung volume reduction surgery
- Lung transplant
What does COPD stand for?
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
What is COPD?
- Airflow limitation
Group of progressive lung disease including chronic bronchitis & emphysema (treatable but not curable)
What is the pathophysiology of COPD?
CB: damage to endothelium impairing the mucociliary response to clear mucus & bacteria – airway deformation & narrowed lumen
EMP: enlargement of alveoli, leading to decline in gas exchange
What deficiency causes COPD?
Alpha 1-trypsin
What are the symptoms for COPD?
- SOBOE (progressive)
- Chronic cough
- Regular sputum production
- Wheeze
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- PND
- Ankle swelling (cor pulmonale)
- Chest pain
- Haemoptysis
What are the signs for COPD?
- Frequent LRTI
- Cyanosis
- Raised JVP
- Cachexia
- Barrel chest
- Accessory muscle use
- Purse lip breathing
- Crackles OA
How is COPD diagnosed?
Clinical features + spirometry
What investigations are carried when suspecting COPD?
- Spirometry
- CXR
- ABG
- Sputum culture
- Serum alpha 1-trypsin
What spirometry findings confirms persistent airflow obstruction?
A post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7
How is the severity of COPD classified?
Post-bronchodilator FEV1/FVC < 0.7
FEV1 (of predicted)
> 80% : Stage 1 - Mild - symptoms should be present to diagnose COPD in these patients
50-79% : Stage 2 - Moderate
30-49% : Stage 3 - Severe
< 30% : Stage 4 - Very severe
What are CXR findings in COPD?
- Hyperinflation
- Bullae
- Flat haemodiaphragm
(exclude cancer)
What is the medical management algorithm for COPD?
See algorithm on PASSMED
1) SOB + exercise limitation : SABA/SAMA
- > SAMA : Ipratropium
- > SAMA: 1st line in new diagnosis
2) No asthmatic features: LABA + LAMA (for day-day symptoms)
3) Asthmatic features: LABA + ICS
- -> LABA + LAMA + ICS – if pt’s day-day symptoms is affecting QOL or 1 serious hospitalisation or 2 moderate exacerbations
4) ICS – increased risk (including pneumonia)
5) Other add on treatments : oral corticosteroids, oral theophylline, oral mucolytic therapy, oral anti-tussive therapy, prophylactic antibiotic therapy -> azithromycin, macrolides, phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors
What are the asthmatic features when treating COPD?
1) any previous, secure diagnosis of asthma or of atopy
2) a higher blood eosinophil count
3) substantial variation in FEV1 over time (at least 400 ml)
4) substantial diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow (at least 20%)
What are the complications of COPD?
- Secondary polycythaemia : Increased haematocrit due to long-term hypoxia
- Respiratory acidosis: indicates BiPAP
- Recurrent chest infections
- Cor pulmonale
What can a large bullae in CXR in COPD mimic?
Pneumothorax
What type of bacteria is Haemophilus influenza?
- Gram negative rod
How do you manage acute exacerbation of COPD?
1) Nebulised salbutamol
2) Ipratropium (SAMA) + oxygen
3) Steroids (prednisolone)
4) Abx (amoxicillin)
What is asthma?
Chronic respiratory condition associated with airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness.
What is asthma associated with?
Eczema + Hay fever
What features is required for the classification of moderate asthma?
1) PEFR 50-75% best or predicted
2) Speech normal
3) RR < 25 / min
4) Pulse < 110 bpm
What features is required for the classification of severe asthma?
1) PEFR 33 - 50% best or predicted
2) Can’t complete sentences
3) RR > 25/min
4) Pulse > 110 bpm
What features is required for the classification of life-threatening asthma?
1) PEFR < 33% best or predicted
2) Oxygen sats < 92%
3) ‘Normal’ pC02 (4.6-6.0 kPa)
4) Silent chest, cyanosis or feeble respiratory effort
5) Bradycardia, dysrhythmia or hypotension
6) Exhaustion, confusion or coma
What are the features of klebsiella pneumonia?
- RF: alcohol and diabetes
- ‘red-currant jelly’ sputum
- Upper lobe
What are the types of influenza and how does affect treatment ?
Complicated :
1) CNS involvement or exacerbation of underlying condition
2) Antivirals : oseltamivir or zanamivir
Uncomplicated :
1) generalised symptoms
2) ONLY oseltamivir
What are the common symptoms associated with asthma?
- Wheeze
- Chest tightness
- SOB
- Cough
What are the clinical signs associated with asthma?
- OBS : HR > 110, RR > 25
- Tracheal deviation
- Widespread wheeze OA
- Chest deformity/ hyperinflated chest ( chronic asthma)
When do symptoms of asthma commonly present (timing)?
- Worse at night
- Early in the morning
- In response to exercise
- Allergen exposure
- Cold air
- After taking aspirin or BB
What is the management algorithm for asthma in adults?
1) SABA
2) SABA + ICS (low dose)
3) SABA + ICS + LABA or MART
4) SABA + ICS (increase dose) + LTRA +/- LABA
5) Refer
What are the examples of drug used in asthma for each class of drugs?
SABA = salbutamol ICS = belclamethasone LTRA = montelukast LABA = salmeterol
When is ICS indicated in asthma?
- Pt uses SABA > 3 x week
- asthma symptoms > 3 x week
- woken at night due to symptoms
When is SABA indicated in asthma?
- Symptomatic asthma