Respiratory Flashcards
What is haemotysis?
coughing up blood
What could cause haemoptysis?
Infections such as tuberculosis
Pulmonary causes such as bronchitis, COPD, bronchiectasis
Lung cancer
Pulmonary embolism
(there are other causes too but learn these)
What are the associated respiratory symptoms?
dyspnoea, cough, haemoptysis, wheeze, chest pain, systemic symptoms e.g fever, weight loss, fatigue
If the presenting complaint is shortness of breath, what should we be asking?
How are you normally? Timing? Onset? Variation in the day? Exacerbating factors? Relieving factors? Associated symptoms? Severity?
What are the risk factors of respiratory disease?
pre-existing resp disease family history of resp disease smoking certain occupations hobbies and pets
How do you calculate pack years?
years smoked x average number of packed smoked per day
How many cigs is in one pack?
20
What is the difference between acute and chronic cough?
acute is less than two months, chronic is more than two months
What questions are important to ask about a cough?
Duration?
Timings, duration, diurnal variation?
dry or productive?
What questions should you ask about sputum?
Onset, timing, duration, diurnal variation? Colour. Haemoptysis? Consistency Quantity Odour
What does rusty sputum indicate ?
pneumococcal pneumonia
How would the sputum look in a case of pneumococcal pneumonia?
rusty
What does fetid sputum suggest?
bronchiectasis or lung abscess
what is it important to differentiate haemoptysis from ?
haematemesis (vomiting blood)
What does SOCRATES stand for?
Site Onset Character Radiation Associated symptoms Timing Exacerbating and relieving factors Severity
