Resp Flashcards
what are some common resp presenting complaints?
- Dyspnoea
- Chest Pain
- Wheeze
- Cough
- Sputum
- Haemoptysis
what are important things to ask about when a patient presents with:
- Dyspnoea
- Chest Pain
- Wheeze
- Cough
- Sputum
- Haemoptysis
- Dyspnoea – MRC score, Exercise Tolerance,
triggers, relieving factors, diurnal variation, orthopnoea, PND - Chest Pain – site, severity, radiation, triggers,
relieving factors, associated symptoms - Wheeze – triggers, relieving factors, diurnal
variation, associated cough - Cough – dry or productive, triggers, relieving
factors, diurnal variation, association with eating
or dyspepsia, positional, nasal secretions,
associated fever - Sputum – how much over 24 hours, colour,
consistency - Haemoptysis – quantity and frequency, fever /
night sweats, appetite, weight loss
what is the MRC dyspnoea score? what are the 5 grades?
Grade of breathlessness related to activities:
- 1 Not troubled by breathlessness except on strenuous exercise
- 2 Short of breath when hurrying or walking up a slight hill
- 3 Walks slower than contemporaries on level ground because of breathlessness, or has to stop for breath when walking at own pace
- 4 Stops for breath after walking about 100m or after a few minutes on level ground
- 5 Too breathless to leave the house, or breathless when dressing or undressing
what is the WHO performance status and what are the 5 grades?
- 0 Normal - Fully active without restriction
- 1 Restricted in physically strenuous activity but ambulatory and able to carry out light work e.g., light house work, office work
- 2 Ambulatory and capable of all self-care but unable to carry out any work activities. Up and about more than 50% of waking hours
- 3 Capable of only limited self-care, confined to bed or chair more than 50% of waking hours
- 4 Completely disabled. Cannot self-care. Totally confined to bed or chair
- 5 Dead
what are 4 causes of a low Pa02 (hypoxia)
- Hypoventilation
- Diffusion impairment
- Shunt
- V/Q mismatch
What is the A-a gradient useful for calculating?
How do you calculate it? What is normal and what suggests a pathology?
A=Alveolar a=arterial Can be useful to work out it there is a respiratory problem
PAO2 = PIO2 – PaCO2/0.8
- PAO2 = Alveolar partial pressure of oxygen
- PIO2 = Room air (approx. 20 kPa)
- PACO2 is virtually the same as arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide (PaCO2)
A-a gradient in young healthy people should be less than 2 kPa, and less than 4 kPa in older people >4 kPa implies lung pathology
What are the acid base disturbances for:
- metabolic acidosis
- metabolic alkalosis
- respiratory acidosis
- respiratory alkalosis
- metabolic acidosis- decreased pH, PaCO2, [HCO3-]
- metabolic alkalosis- increased pH, PaCO2, [HCO3-]
- respiratory acidosis decreased pH, increased PaCO2, [HCO3-]
- respiratory alkalosis increased pH, decreased PaCO2, [HCO3-]
a 26 year old female nurse thought to be hyperventilating
- On air pH7.56, pCO2 2.7, PO2 11.5, B.E. -2, HCO3 23
Calculate her A-a gradient and therefore if there is an underlying lung pathology?
PAO2 = PIO2 – PaCO2/0.8
= 20 – 2.7/0.8 = 20-3.4 = 16.6 kPa
PA-aO2 = 16.6-11.5 = 5.1 kPa
- THEREFORE PROBLEM WITH THE LUNGS
the Hepatology consultant from the liver unit refers a 31 year old man with liver failure and new hypoxia. On examination – jaundice, ascites.
On air pH 7.35, PO2 7.2, PCO2 8.6, HCO3 35, Sats 87%
Calculate her A-a gradient and therefore if there is an underlying lung pathology?
PAO2 – PaO2 = 2.1kPa, i.e. NORMAL lungs.
- There is under ventilation secondary to drugs, encephalopathy, or just ascites.
What are some common causes of resp emergencies
Anaphylaxis and Angioedema Asthma COPD Exacerbations Pneumonia Massive Haemoptysis
What are the clinical features of anaphylaxis
Occurs in minutes -
Pruritus
urticaria & angioedema
hoarseness progressing to stridor & bronchial obstruction
wheeze & chest tightness from bronchospasm
How would you treat anaphylaxis
DO NOT DELAY! GET HELP
Remove trigger, maintain airway, 100% O2
Intramuscular adrenaline 0.5 mg (Repeat every 5 mins as needed to support CVS)
IV hydrocortisone 200mg
IV chlorpheniramine 10 mg
If hypotensive: lie flat and fluid resuscitate
Treat bronchospasm: NEB salbutamol
Laryngeal oedema: NEB adrenaline
How would you classify the severity of asthma and what are the features of each
Mild: - No features of severe asthma - PEFR >75% Moderate: - No features of severe asthma - PEFR 50-75% Severe (if any one of the following): - PEFR 33 – 50% of best or predicted - Cannot complete sentences in 1 breath - Respiratory Rate > 25/min - Heart Rate >110/min Life threatening (if any one of the following): - PEFR < 33% of best or predicted - Sats <92% or ABG pO2 < 8kPa - Cyanosis, poor respiratory effort, near or fully silent chest - Exhaustion, confusion, hypotension or arrhythmias - Normal pCO2 Near Fatal: - Raised pCO2
What is the acute management of an asthma attack
- ABCDE
- Aim for SpO2 94-98% with oxygen as needed, ABG if sats <92%
- 5mg nebulised Salbutamol (can repeat after 15 mins)
- 40mg oral Prednisolone STAT (IV Hydrocortisone if PO not possible)
If severe: - Nebulised Ipratropium Bromide 500 micrograms
- Consider back to back Salbutamol
If life threatening or near fatal: - Urgent ITU or anaesthetist assessment
- Urgent portable CXR
- IV Aminophylline
- Consider IV Salbutamol if nebulised route ineffective
What is the management of an acute COPD exacerbation
- ABCDE approach
- Oxygen: via a fixed performance face mask due to risk of CO2 retention - aim for SaO2 88-92% being guided by ABGs
- NEBs – Salbutamol and Ipratropium
- Steroids – Prednisolone 30mg STAT and OD for 7 days
- Antibiotics if raised CRP / WCC or purulent sputum
- CXR
- Consider IV aminophylline
- Consider NIV if Type 2 respiratory failure and pH 7.25-7.35
- If pH <7.25 consider ITU referral
When should you consider pneumonia in a patient?
Consolidation on CXR with fever +/- purulent sputum +/ raised WCC and / or CRP
How should you manage pneumonia
- ABCDE
- If any features of sepsis – immediately treat using sepsis pathway – NO DELAY in initiating IV antibiotics and fluids
- Otherwise treat with antibiotics as per CURB-65 score, local pneumonia guidelines and awareness of any patient drug allergies
What scoring system should you use for pneumonia and what are the features
CURB-65 Score
C Confusion, MMT 2 or more points worse
U Urea > 7.0
R > 30 / min
B < 90 mm Hg systolic or < 60 mm Hg diastolic
65 Age above 65 years
What is the definition of a massive haemoptysis
> 240mls in 24 hours OR >100mls / day over consecutive days
How would you manage a massive haemoptysis
- ABCDE
- Lie patient on side of suspected lesion (if known)
- Oral Tranexamic Acid for 5 days or IV
- Stop NSAID’s / aspirin / anticoagulants
- Antibiotics if any evidence of respiratory tract infection
- Consider Vitamin K
- CT aortogram – interventional radiologist may be able to undertake bronchial artery embolisation
What are some examples of Sympathomimetics? What are their main indication? What is the mechanism of actions?
- Short acting: Salbutamol, Terbutaline (effects ~4-6hrs)
- Long acting: Formeterol, Salmeterol (effects ~12 hrs) – often given in combination with steroid inhaler
- Main Indications- Bronchospasm
- MOA- ß2-selective adrenergic agonists Increase cAMP in SMC’s resulting in relaxation and thus bronchodilation
What are some common side effects of B2 agonists
Tremor, headaches, GI upset, palpitations, tachycardia, hypokalaemia
Make sure inhaler technique is correct
What are some examples of antimuscharinics? What is the main indication? What it the Mechanism of action?What are some common side effects? Which patients should you take caution giving them to
- Short acting eg ipratropium
- long acting- tiotropium
- main indication- COPD- bronchospasm
- MOA- Muscarinic antagonist Decreases cGMP which affects intracellular calcium resulting in decreased SMC contractility
- side effects- Dry mouth, constipation, cough, headache
- Use with caution in those with angle- closure glaucoma & Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
What are some examples of Xanthines? What is the main indication? What it the Mechanism of action?What are some common side effects?
- eg Aminophylline, Theophylline
- main indications- Asthma & COPD
- MOA- Block phosphodiesterases resulting in decreased cAMP breakdown causing bronchodilation
- other effects- Positive chronotropic and inotropic effects, diuretic action
- side effects-Headache, GI upset, reflux, palpitations, dizziness
What is the therapeutic window for xanthines
- Plasma level 10-20 mg/L.
- Toxic effects are serious arrhythmias, seizures, N&V, hypotension
What are some examples of inhaled steroids (glucocorticoids)? What is the main indication? What it the Mechanism of action?What are some common side effects?
- eg Beclomethasone, Budesonide, Fluticasone
- main indication- Asthma & COPD
- MOA- Increase airway calibre by decreasing bronchial inflammation +/- modifying allergic reactions
- side effects- Cough, oral thrush, unpleasant taste, hoarseness
What are some examples of corticosteroids (glucocorticoid)? What is the main indication? What are some common side effects?
- eg Prednisolone (PO), Hydrocortisone (IV/IM), Dexamethasone (PO/IV), Triamcinolone (IM)
- main indications- Supress inflammation, allergy & immune responses
- side effects- Adrenal suppression (especially courses > 3 weeks), hyperglycaemia, psychosis, insomnia, indigestion, mood swings
What may you also need to give along side steroids
May need PPI (reduce GORD), Bisphosphonates (bone protection) and steroid card. Used both in short- term and long-term. Long-term steroid courses should NOT be withdrawn abruptly.
what is the definition of asthma
Airflow limitation + Bronchial Hyper-Responsiveness + Bronchial Inflammation → Reversible airway obstruction
what are the clinical features of mild asthma
Symptoms
- Episodic SOB + wheezing attacks
- Symptoms worse at night
- Nocturnal cough may bepresenting Sx in children
- Peak flow lowest in morning → precipitates attacks on waking
- Attacks precipitated by range of triggers
- Attacks of variable frequency, duration, severity
Signs
- Tachypnoea
- Audible wheeze
- Hyper-inflated + hyper-resonant chest
- ↓Air entry; polyphonic wheeze
how would you diagnose asthma
Minimum Diagnostic Testing = Spirometry + Bronchodilator reversibility (≥5yrs) + FeNO (≥17yrs).
Asthma may be diagnosed if any of the following criteria are met (in adults)
- Obstruction: An FEV1/FVC ratio <70% (it is an obstructive lung disease)
- Reversibility: PEF rate variability of ≥ 20%
- Reversibility: A post-bronchodilator improvement in lung volume of ≥200 ml or of FEV1 of ≥12%
- Inflammation: FeNO ≥40ppb
what is the conservative management of asthma
- Quit smoking
- Avoid triggers: Pets, mould, foodstuffs, dustmites, active/passing smoking, occupational agents, β blockers, NSAIDs
- Teach inhaler technique, peak flow (monitor BD), relaxed breathing methods (e.g. Papworth)
- Suspected occupational asthma: serial PEF at home/work + referral to respiratory specialist
what is the medical management of chronic asthma
1- SABA
2- +IGC (low-dose)
3- +LABA/MART
4- +LTRA
what should be done on discharge of asthma patient
- Asthma plan
- notify/see GP w/in 24-48hrs
± specialist review in 2w if severe (adult)/life- threatening (paediatric)
what is the definition of COPD
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorder
- Progressive airflow limitation that is not fully reversible.
- A type of obstructive respiratory disorder (
FEV1/FVC < 0.7) - Includes chronic bronchitis (cough/sputum most days, ≥3 months, 2 years) and emphysema (histologically enlarged air spaces)
what are the causes of COPD
Smoking accounts for 90% of cases. Rarely α1 antitrypsin deficiency
what are the histological features of COPD
- mucous gland hypertrophy
- goblet cell hyperplasia
- squamous metaplasia
- mucus secretion
- inflammatory cell infiltrate → bronchial inflammation, epithelium ulceration → 1. Scarring and thickening of walls and/or 2. Structural breakdown
what is V/Q mismatch
Ventilation perfusion mismatch or “V/Q defects” are defects in total lung ventilation perfusion ratio. It is a condition in which one or more areas of the lung receive oxygen but no blood flow, or they receive blood flow but no oxygen due to some diseases and disorders.
why may you get V/Q mismatch in COPD
V/Q mismatch due to:
1. Damage + mucus plugging of small airways 2º to chronic inflammation
COPD Pneumonia 2. Premature closure of small airways during expiration 2º to loss of elasticity
what is the most common causative organism for a COPD pneumonia
Haemophilus influenzae
what are the symptoms of COPD
- Productive cough w/ white/clear sputum (green = infected)
- Progressive dyspnoea/SOB
- Frequent infective exacerbations → purulent sputum
- Systemic Sx:
o Weight loss, muscle mass loss and weakness
o Depression, Osteoporosis
what are some signs of COPD
- Expiratory wheezes throughout
- Respiratory: tachypnoea, accessory muscle use (+ pursed lips), prolonged expiratory phase, ↓
chest expansion, hyperinflation - Hypercapnic: CO2 retention flap, bounding pulse, peripheral vasodilation, morning headache →
confusion → drowsiness - Circulatory: pulmonary hypertension → cor pulmonale, peripheral oedema, ↑JVP, ascites,
abdominal discomfort - Complications: exacerbations, infection; polycythaemia, cor pulmonale,
pneumothorax; cancer
what is the gold standard investigation for staging COPD
Spirometry
what are the target sats for a copd patient
- Target Sats 88- 92% until ABG
- If ABG CO2 normal→ target 94-98%
what are some other investigations you could do for COPD
- Spirometry (GOLD staging): FEV1 + Post-dilator FEV1:FVC <0.7 (i.e. non-reversible obstructive)
- FBC: Haemoglobin and PCV (2º polycythaemia), WCC
- CXR: flattened diaphragm, >6 anterior ribs, bullae
- Blood gases: hypoxia (< 8kPa), hypercapnia (>7kPa)
- Sputum culture
- CT: useful when CXR normal
- ECG: often normal, P pulmonale, RBBB, RVH
- ECHO; α1 anti-trypsin levels
what is the general management of COPD
- Smoking cessation (↑survival)
- weight loss, exercise
- Pulmonary rehab: as soon as SOB on regular activity
- Vaccination: flu (annual) + pneumococcal (one-off)
- Mucolytics (e.g. carbocysteine) if chronic productive cough
- PRN SAMA (ipatropium) or SABA (salbutamol)
what antibiotic should be used for a infective COPD exacerbation
1st line amoxicillin 500mg TDS (clari, doxy)
what is pneumonia
infection and inflammation of lung parenchyma; a LRTI. 20% in-hospital mortality
what is CAP
Community Acquired Pneumonia: infection of lung parenchyma occurring outside of a healthcare setting; wide range of ages (but most common at extremes)
what are some abscess forming causative organisms of pneumonia
- staph aureus
- klebsiella
- pseudomonas
what are some common causative organisms of CAP and how to treat
- strep pneumonia (80%) treat with beta lactams/cephalosporins
- H influenza- commenest in COPD
many others
what is HAP? what are some common causative organisms of HAP
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia: occurring within healthcare setting
- Commonest: Staph. aureus
- Pseudomonas (common bronchiectasis/commonest CF)
- Klebsiella
- Bacteroides
- Clostridia
what is aspiration pneumonia? what are some common causative organisms of aspiration pneumonia? how do you treat?
Aspiration Pneumonia: secondary to aberrantly inhaled extra-pulmonary agents
- Risk factors: low GCS, neuromuscular diseases, drugs (opiates, barbiturates, etc)
- inhaled agents can be oral or gastric agents → chemical or infective pneumonitis
- Common bacterial are: Strep. pneumoniae, staph. aureus, H. influenzae, Pseudomonas
treat with Cephalosporin IV + metronidazole IV
what is the conservative management of pneumonia
Pneumococcal vaccination