Resp. Misc. 2/ 3/ 4 - Resp. disease signs, symptoms and exams Flashcards
What signs/ symptoms do you check for in the resp. system review/ red flags?
Chest pain Breathlessness (orthopnoea/ PND) Cough (sputum/ haemoptysis) Wheeze/ stridor Horseness Weight loss Night sweats
What are some causes of acute breathlessness? (3)
PE
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary Oedema
What are some causes of subacute breathlessness? (4)
Pneumonia
Pulmonary oedema
Pleural effusion
Asthma/ COPD
What are some causes of chronic breathlessness? (3)
COPD
Pulmonary fibrosis
Chronic PE
How do you test the “cough threshold”?
Lowest concentration of inhaled capsaicin (active component of chilli peppers - irritant) required to produce 5 coughs
What is an acute illness? (3)
It refers to an illness that is of a sudden onset or of a short duration (present for less than 1 month).
Acute can also be used as an adjective to describe a severe state of a condition.
What is the time frame of a subacute illness?
1-3 months
What is the rime frame of a chronic illness?
Greater than 3 months
What is the most common cause of an acute, dry cough?
Viral aetiology
What does sputum contain? (4)
Neutrophils
Eosinophils
Bacteria/ fungus/ virus
Airway secretions
What is classified as a massive haemoptysis?
> 500ml in 24 hours
What are the main 4 causes of haemoptysis?
What are 3 other causes?
Infection Carcinoma PE Bronchiectasis Cardiac AVM (arteriovenous malformation) Anticoagulation
What are some causes of acute breathlessness? (3)
PE
Pneumothorax
Pulmonary Oedema
What 2 drugs can cause mediastinal disease?
Bleomycin (cancer treatment)
Phenytoin (anti-convulsant)
What are some causes of chronic breathlessness? (3)
COPD
Pulmonary fibrosis
Chronic PE
How do you test the “cough threshold”?
Lowest concentration of inhaled capsaicin (active component of chilli peppers - irritant) required to produce 5 coughs
What causes lupus pernio?
Sarcoidosis (not related to lupus!)
What is classified as a non-massive haemoptysis?
less than 500ml in 24 hours
What drugs can cause Interstitial Lung Disease? (6)
Amiodarone (anti-arrhythmic)ACEIBeta blockerBleomycin (cancer treatment)Methotrexate (drug used to treat specific cancers, arthritis and severe psoriasis)Nitrofurantoin (antibiotic for bladder infections)
4 drugs that can cause airway problems?
ACEIBeta blockersContrast mediaPenicillamine (rheumatoid arthritis and wilsons disease)
What 2 drugs can cause mediastinal disease?
Bleomycin (cancer treatment)Phenytoin (anti-convulsant)
What occupations/ hobbies should you particularly ask about in social history? (8)
Asbestos exposureCoal miningFarming Pigeons/ birdsPetsAbroad travelCannabisSmoking
What is oxygen the treatment for?
Hypoxamia (not breathlessness)
What is dull to percuss (not stony dull)?
ConsolidationPleural thickeningRaised semi-diaphragm
What is asterixis?
A tremor of the hands when the wrists are extended e.g. CO2 and liver flap - CO2 flap is less rhythmical than a liver flap (use context)
What causes a CO2 flap?
Hypercapnic encephalopathy (the excess CO2 acts as a poison and the brain can’t function properly)
What is encephalopathy?
Abnormal brains structure or function
What are 2 respiratory causes pf erythema nodosum?
SarcoidosisTB
What causes lupus pernio?
Sarcoidosis (not related to lupus!)