Resp Flashcards
Describe the MRC dyspnoea scale
1 - Strenuous exercise 2 - Hurrying on the level/ slight hill 3 - Normal speed on the level 4 - After 100yds 5 - Getting dressed
Name and describe the scoring system used to assess the risk of a VTE event?
Wells Score
Describe the Well’s Criteria for assessing DVT risk
RFs (1 point each) Prev. DVT Prev. (within 6 months) / active Ca. Paralysis / Cast of lower limb Major surgery within 12 weeks
Symptoms (1 point each) Unilateral calf swelling Unilateral swollen superficial veins Unilateral pitting oedema Unilateral leg swelling Localised tenderness along deep venous system
If 1 or less do D-dimer, if neg exclude, if pos do US
If 2 or more do D-dimer and US if both neg then exclude, if US neg then treat as if pos and repeat US in 1 week.
Describe the Well’s Criteria for assessing PE risk
Clinically suspected (3 points) Alternative diagnosis is less likely than PE (3)
RFs
Prev. DVT or PE (1.5)
Prev. (within 6 months) / active Ca. (1)
Major surgery within 12 weeks (1.5)
Symptoms
Tachycardia (1.5)
Haemoptysis (1)
Score >2 High probability of PE
Score 1-2 Moderate
Score 0 Low
d-dimer in low/moderate and exclude PE if neg, CTPA required if pos.
CTPA in high risk
In those with a well’s score of 3.5 and who have CKD how would you diagnose a PE
VQ scan (ventilation-perfusion)
How to differentiate between a consolidation and effusion on an X-ray
Effusion will obscure the whole lung causing a homogenous appearance rather than a patchy appearance.
Effusion will pool in the bottom of the lungs, will form a meniscus and will blunt the costophrenic angle (on an erect film)
Consolidation will appear patchy as it will not enter the bronchi or bronchioles.
How to differentiate between consolidation and effusion on examination
Vocal fremitus and resonance will increase with consolidation and decrease with effusion. (Sound travels more easily through denser materials)
Consolidation described as dull whereas effusion is described as stony dull.
Coarse crepitations with consolidation which should disappear if the pt. coughs
Consolidation can cause bronchial breathing
Other than infection what are the other causes of consolidation
Fluid (pulmonary oedema)
Blood (pulmonary haemorrhage)
Cells (Ca.)
What is an empyema
Pus in the pleural cavity caused by bacteria and neutrophils.
What is pulmonary oedema and what is it caused by
Transudate in the lung parenchyma caused by pulmonary hypertension secondary to L. heart failure.
What is the name of the criteria used to distinguish between transudative and exudative causes and when is it used?
Light’s Criteria
Used if protein count is between 25-35g/L. If <25 then transudative and if >35 then exudative.
Causes of transudative and exudative plural effusions?
Transudative
Pulmonary Hypertension (2° LHF / CHF / PE)
COPD
Interstitial lung disease
Exudative Malignancy Infection (TB / Pneumonia) Trauma (Pulmonary haemorrhage) Inflammation (Rheumatoid / asbestos / PE
How do you diagnose and treat a pleural effusion?
Diagnosed via US-guided pleural aspiration to obtain a biopsy which is then sent to cytology, biochem and micro to determine whether it is exudative or transudative.
Diuretics for transudative
Treat depending on cause for exudative (embolectomy, abx or tumour removal)
Chest drain to manage symptoms (do not remove more than 2L due to risk of reexpansion pulmonary oedema)
Under what circumstances can a pleural effusion be assumed to be transudative
A bilateral pleural effusion can be assumed to be transudative
What is a chylothorax?
Chyle in the pleural cavity due to disruption of the thoracic duct.
Caused be lymphoma or metastatic carcinoma.
