RESP Flashcards
Define COPD
Chronic, progressive lung disorder characterised by airflow obstruction, with the following:
Chronic Bronchitis & Emphysema
chronic bronchitis: Chronic cough and sputum production on most days for at least 3 months per year over 2 consecutive years
emphysema: Pathological diagnosis of permanent destructive enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles
What is chronic bronchitis?
Narrowing of the airways resulting in bronchiole inflammation (bronchiolitis) Bronchial mucosal oedema Mucous hypersecretion Squamous metaplasia
COPD criteria:
Chronic cough and sputum production on most days for at least 3 months per year over 2 consecutive years
What is emphysema?
Destruction and enlargement of alveoli
Leads to loss of elasticity that keeps small airways open in expiration
Progressively larger spaces develop called bullae (diameter > 1 cm)
COPD criteria:
Pathological diagnosis of permanent destructive enlargement of air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles
What are the PC of COPD?
Recognise the presenting symptoms of COPD Chronic cough Sputum production Breathlessness Wheeze Reduced exercise tolerance
Recognise the signs of COPD on physical examination on INSPECTION
Respiratory distress Use of accessory muscles Barrel-shaped over-inflated chest Decreased cricosternal distance Cyanosis
Recognise the signs of COPD on physical examination on PERCUSSION
Hyper-resonant chest
Loss of liver and cardiac dullness
Recognise the signs of COPD on physical examination on AUSCULTATION
Quiet breath sounds Prolonged expiration Wheeze Rhonchi Sometimes crepitations
rhonchi= rattling, continuous and low-pitched breath sounds that sounds a bit like snoring. They are often caused by secretions in larger airways or obstructions
Recognise the signs of Co2 retention of COPD on physical examination
Bounding pulse
Warm peripheries
Asterixis
LATE STAGES: signs of right heart failure (cor pulmonale)
Right ventricular heave
Raised JVP
Ankle oedema
What is cor pulmonale?
Abnormal enlargement of the right side of the heart as a result of disease of the lungs or the pulmonary blood vessels.
What are the results of spirometry and pulmonary function tests of a COPD pt?
Shows obstructive picture Reduced PEFR Reduced FEV1/FVC Increased lung volumes Decreased carbon monoxide gas transfer coefficient
What does a CXR of a COPD pt look like?
May appear NORMAL
Hyperinflation (> 6 anterior ribs, flattened diaphragm)
Reduced peripheral lung markings
Elongated cardiac silhouette
What would the FBC of a COPD pt show?
Increased Hb and haematocrit due to secondary polycythaemia
List the tests you would do for a COPD pt
Spirometry & Pulmonary Function Tests
FBC
CXR
ABG (may be hypoxic with raised paco2)
ECG and Echo (cor pulmonale)
Sputum and blood cultures (for infective exacerbations)
a1-antitrypsin deficiency if they are really young
Generate a management plan for COPD
STOP SMOKING
Bronchodilators
SABA(e.g. salbutamol)
Anticholinergics (e.g. ipratropium bromide)
LABA (if > 2 exacerbations per year)
Steroids
Inhaled beclamethasone - considered in all patients with FEV1 < 50% of predicted OR > 2 exacerbations per year Regular oral steroids should be avoided if possible
Pulmonary rehabilitation
OXYGEN THERAPY
Only for those who stop smoking
Indicated if: PaO2 < 7.3 kPa on air during a period of clinical stability
PaO2: 7.3-8 kPa and signs of secondary polycythaemia, nocturnal hypoxaemia, peripheral oedema or pulmonary hypertension
Prevention of infective exacerbations: pneumococcal and influenza vaccination
What is the mx of ACUTE COPD exacerbations?
24% O2 via Venturi mask *
Increase slowly if no hypercapnia and still hypoxic (do an ABG)
Corticosteroids
Start empirical antibiotic therapy if evidence of infection Respiratory physiotherapy to clear sputum
Non-invasive ventilation may be necessary in severe cases
Identify the possible complications of COPD
Acute respiratory failure Infections Pulmonary hypertension Right heart failure Pneumothorax (secondary to bullae rupture) Secondary polycythaemia
What is the normal FEV1/FVC?
80%
<80% = obstructive picture >80% = restrictive picture
reversible in asthma but not in COPD
CURB 65
Criteria for each
And interpretation of scores
Clinical prediction rule for COMMUNITY ACQUIRED PNEUMONIA
C - Confusion U- Urea = >7 R - RR > 30 B - BP <90/60mmHg 65 - >65years old
Score:
0-1 = outpatient <5% mortality
2-3 = hospitalise for a bit then outpatient <10% mortality
3-5 = severe pneumonia and hospitalisation possible escalate to ICU 15-30% mortality
How does a classic pneumonia pt present?
Pyrexia
Productive cough with green sputum
Rigors Sweating Malaise Cough Sputum Breathlessness Pleuritic chest pain Confusion (in severe cases or in the elderly)
Define pneumonia and its 4 categories.
Infection of distal lung parenchyma.
It can be categorised in many ways: Community-acquired Hospital-acquired/nosocomial Aspiration pneumonia Pneumonia in the immunocompromised Typical Atypical
Which organisms cause atypical pneumonia?
Mycoplasma
Chlamydia
Legionella
What are common organisms for Community acquired pneumonia?
Streptococcus pneumoniae (70%) *
Haemophilus influenzae *
Moraxella catarrhalis (occurs in COPD patients) Chlamydia pneumonia
Chlamydia psittaci (causes psittacosis)
Mycoplasma pneumonia
Legionella (can occur anywhere with air conditioning) Staphylococcus aureus
Coxiella burnetii (causes Q fever)
TB
What are common organisms for Hospital acquired pneumonia?
Gram-negative enterobacteria (Pseudomonas, Klebsiella)
Anaerobes (due to aspiration pneumonia)
How does atypical pneumonia present?
Headache
Myalgia
Diarrhoea/abdominal pain
DRY cough