Respiratory Flashcards
What is acute bronchitis
short term inflammation of the bronchi
common causative agent (3) of acute bronchitis
viral infection typically RSV, Rhinovirus and influenza
Pathophysiology of Acute bronchitis
Damage causes irritation leading to inflammation of airways and lead to neutrophil infiltrating the lung tissue
Risk factors (3)
Tobacco smoke
dust
air pollution
Signs and symptoms
Dyspnoea
Cough
wheeze
chest discomfort
Fever
Fatigue
Malais
Investigation for acute bronchitis
pulse oximetry
CRP
Chest x-ray
Management for acute bronchitis
self-limiting
if bacterial suspected then antibiotics
Complication of acute bronchitis
pneumonia
What is bronchiolitis
it is an acute viral infection of the lower respiratory tract that occurs primarily in the very young and affects small airways
Common pathogen that causes acute bronchiolitis
RSV
Pathophysiology of acute bronchiolitis
occurs when virus infect terminal bronchiolar epithelial cells, causing inflammation in small bronchi and bronchioles
Risk factors for acute bronchiolitis
attendance at nursery
fall/winter time for kids
overcrowding
prematurity
Signs and symptoms of acute bronchiolitis
persistent cough
tachypnoea
chest recession
wheezing
rales
investigation for acute bronchiolitis
FBC, CRP, CXR (if needed)
Indication of hospitalisation for acute bronchiolitis
Toxic appearance, lethargy, dehydration, apnoea
RR>70
Hypoxia (<92%)
A&E management for acute bronchiolitis
inhaled bronchodilator
IV fluid
O2
Intubation
Nasal suctioning
Complication for acute bronchiolitis
cyanosis
dehydration
low o2 levels
What is acute epiglottitis
Inflammation of the epiglottis
Life threatening and can lead to irreversible loss of the airways due to laryngospasm
Some examples of pathogens that cause acute epiglottitis
streptococcus spp, Staph aureus, haemophilus influenza type b(Hib)
Risk factors for acute epiglottitis
Male
Weakened immune system
Lack of Hib vaccination
Signs and symptoms of acute epiglottitis
Muffles voice
Hoarse cry
Stridor
Drooling
Fever
tripoding
Investigation for acute epiglottitis
Lateral neck xr-thumbprint signs
Management for acute epiglottitis
Emergency referral
Airway management
Mange symtoms
Gold standard- refer laryngoscopy
Complication of acute epiglottitis
abscess formation
meningitis
sepsis
pneumothorax
What is asthma
A reversible chronic respiratory condition associated with airway inflammation and hyper-responsiveness
what is the pathophysiology of asthma
exposure to irritants -> inflammatory response -> effect on airways
Risk factors for asthma
Genetic
environmental
stress
medication
Prenatal smoking
occupation
Diet and nutrition
Signs and symptoms of non-acute asthma
wheeze
cough sob
chest tighness
Signs and symptoms of acute asthma
Fatigue
Interrupted sentences
us of accessory muscles
cyanosis
Pulse rate in acute asthma
tachycardia
Resp rate in acute athma
tachypnoea
Chest observation in acute asthma
wheeze
rubbing
reduced breath sounds
Oxygen sat in acute asthma
hypoxaemia
Signs and symptoms in viral induced wheeze
upper resp viral symptoms
polyphonic wheeze on auscultation
nasal flaring
intercostal recession
tripoding
Diagnosis criteria for non-acute asthma
Presence of more than one symptoms
FEV1/FVC ration of less than 70%
BRD test - shows improvement of FEV1 of 12% and increase in volume of at least 200ml
FeNO result of 40ppb or higher
PEF helps diagnose
Moderate acute asthma criteria (3pts) in adults
increasing symptoms
PEF> 50-75 best or predicted
No features of acute severe asthma
Severe acute asthma (4 pts) in adults
pef 33-50% best or predicted
RR- >25/min
HR->110/min
inability to complete sentences in one breath
Life threating asthma (10 pts) in adults
PEF <33% best or predicted
Sp02 < 92%
Pa02< 8kPa
altered conscious level
exhaustion
arrythmia
hypotension
cyanosis
silent chest
poor respiratory effort
Near fatal asthma in adults
raised PaCO2 and or requiring mechanical ventilation with raised inflation pressures
severe acute asthma in child
Spo2<92%
PEF 33-50% best or predicted
can’t complete sentences in one breath or too breathless to talk or feed
Life threatening asthma in children
Spo2 <92%
PEF< 33% best or predicted
Investigation order for asthma in adults
FeNO->spirometry ->BDR -> peak flow monitoring ->refer for other tests
Investigation order for asthma in children
Spirometry-> BDR-> FeNO-> Peak flow monitoring
Management for asthma in adults
Regular preventer (Low dose ICS)
Initial add on therapy (add inhaled LABA to low -dose ICS.
Additional controller therapies (consider increasing ICS dose or adding LTRA)
Refer to specialist therapies
Management for paediatric asthma
Regular preventer (Very low dose of ICS or LTRA for <5 yrs)
Initial add-on therapy (very low dose ICS + Child>5 -> add inhaled LABA or LTRA and for children <5 add LTRA
Additional controller therapies consider increasing ICS to low dose or children >5 add LTRA or LABA
Refer to specialist therapies
Name 3 pharmacological smoking cessation
Nicotine patch
Varenicline
Bupropion
Name 5 Nonpharmacological smoking cessation
Vaping
Community support
Counselling
Hypnotherapy
Acupuncture
What is Bronchogenic Carcinoma
primary lung cancer
They can be classified into small cell and non-small cell lung cancers
Non small more common than small cell
Risk factors for branchiogenic carcinoma
Smoking
History of cancer
exposure to harmful chemicals
Lung disease
Signs and symptoms
Cough - may be bloody
SOB
chest pain
Hoarseness
Fever
Noisy breathing
Weight loss
Slowly resolving chest infection
What to look out for in blood investigation for branchiogenic carcinoma
Anamia
Thrombocytopenia
Raised leukocytes
ESR/CRP may be raised
2 imaging to do as investigation for branchiogenic carcinoma
CXR
CT-CAP
2 special test to check for branchiogenic carcinoma
Bronchoscopy
Biopsy
4 Management for branchiogenic carcinoma
Smoking cessation
Radiotherapy
Chemotherapy
Surgery
Complications of branchiogenic carcinoma (3)
Laryngeal nerve palsy
Metastatic
Superior vena cava obstruction
Bronchiectasis
Chronic inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles leading to permanent dilation of these airways
Some causes of bronchiectasis
Half is idiopathic but others:
Post- infection (TB, pertussis)
Congenital
Immune deficiency
Connective tissue disease
Cystic fibrosis
Fibrosis
Risk factors for Bronchiectasis
Cystic fibrosis
Host immunodeficiency
Previous infection
congenital disorders of bronchial airways
Signs and symptoms of bronchiectasis
Persistent cough
copious purulent sputum
intermittent haemoptysis
fever
finger clubbing
coarse inspiratory crepitation
wheeze
large airway Ronchi
Investigation for bronchiectasis
CXR
CT- show dilation of bronchi with or without airway thickening
Sputum culture
FBC
What is carcinoid tumour
they are neuro-endocrine tumours
commonly originate from cells in the stomach, lungs, duodenum, thymus and liver.
The bioactive substances result in diarrhoea, bronchoconstriction, skin flushing, right heart problems
What is carcinoid syndrome
Carcinoid tumour cells secrete bioactive substances like serotonin, bradykinin. These bioactive substances with physical symptoms of flushing, abdominal pain and etc is called carcinoid syndrome
Risk factor for carcinoid tumour
Family history
Signs and symptoms of carcinoid tumour
- Palpable mass
- Pain
- Weight loss.
- Skin changes (pellagra)
- Diarrhoea
What is COPD
Group of progressive obstructive lung diseases including chronic bronchitis and emphysema
Pathophysiology of chronic bronchitis
Damage to endothelium impairing the mucociliary response to clear mucus & bacteria
results in airway deformation and narrowing of the lumen limiting airflow
Pathophysiology of emphysema
Enlargement of airspaces (alveoli), leading to declining in alveolar surface area limiting gas exchange
loss of elastic recoil equals airflow limitation; loss of alveolar supporting structure leads to airway narrowing
Risk factors of COPD
- Age
- Genetics (alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency)
- Tobacco smoke exposure (smoking & second-hand smoking)
- Smoking asthmatics
- Exposure to fumes
- Exposure to workplace irritants
6 Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis
Blue bloaters
Mild dyspnoea
Cyanotic
Obese
Crackles/Wheeze possible
Peripheral oedema
Hallmark of chronic bronchitis
Chronic productive cough: cough and sputum production for at least 3 months in each of 2 consecutive years.
8 Signs and symptoms of chronic bronchitis
PINK PUFFERS
Minimal cough
Pink skin, pursed lips
Cachexic
Accessory muscle use
Barrell chested
Hyperinflation
Decreased breath sound
Hallmark of emphysema
Dyspnoea
Investigation for COPD
Diagnosed by spirometry - FEV1/FVC less than 0.7
FBCs
U&Es
CRP
CXR
Sputum Culture
Nonpharmacological Management for COPD
Smoking cessation
offer pneumococcal and influenza vaccine
self-management plan
Pharmacological management for COPD with no asthma
Offer SABA or SAMA then…
if not asthmatic ->LABA or LAMA then…
if worsening symptom effecting QUALY then consider 3-month trial of LABA+LAMA+ICS
or if person has severe or moderate exacerbation within a year then consider LABA+LAMA+ICS
Pharmacological management for COPD with asthma
Offer SABA or SAMA then…
if asthmatic->LABA+ICS
then LABA+LAMA+ICS
Complications of COPD
- Respiratory infections
- Lung cancer
- Heart disease
- Pulmonary hypertension
Definition of cor pulmonale
Right ventricle failure through pulmonary artery hypertension due to a lung disorder
Pathophysiology of cor pulmonale
- Most commonly as a result of high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (Pulmonary hypertension)
- As a result, increased afterload causes structural problems
- Most notably hypertrophy of the right ventricle (mainly chronic)
- Because the right ventricle is a good volume pump and not a pressure pump this causes issues
- Decreased right ventricle output results in decreased left ventricle filling and therefore reduced cardiac output
- Acute cor pulmonale can be caused by pulmonary embolism (PE) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Pathophysiology of cor pulmonale
- Most commonly as a result of high blood pressure in the pulmonary arteries (Pulmonary hypertension)
- As a result, increased afterload causes structural problems
- Most notably hypertrophy of the right ventricle (mainly chronic)
- Because the right ventricle is a good volume pump and not a pressure pump this causes issues
- Decreased right ventricle output results in decreased left ventricle filling and therefore reduced cardiac output
- Acute cor pulmonale can be caused by pulmonary embolism (PE) or acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
Risk factors for cor pulmonale
secondary to lung disease
Acute:ARDS, PE
Chronic: COPD
Signs and symptoms of cor pulmonale
Distended neck vein
cyanosis
raised JVP
SOB
Tiredness
Chest pain
investigation for cor pulmonale (bloods*3, imaging *3, special test *3)
Bloods
- FBC, ABG, Coag studies
Imaging
- CXR, Echocardiogram, CTPA
Special Tests
- alpha-1-antitrypsin
- Broncoscopy
- Lung Biopsy
Management for cor pulmonale
Medical(Usually initiated by secondary care)
- Treat underlying disease
- Oxygen
- Diuretics such as furosemide or Butenamide
- Vasodilate the pulmonary arteries
- Phlebotomy for severe hypoxia
Surgical
- Heart or lung transplant as last resort
Complication for cor pulmonale
- Exertional syncope
- Hypoxia
- Limited exercise tolerance
- Peripheral oedema
- Tricuspid regurgitation
- Death
What is cystic fibrosis
Cystic Fibrosis is an autosomal recessive disease caused by mutations in the CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) gene, on chromosome 7
Signs and symptoms in neonates for cystic fibrosis
Failure to thrive, meconium ileus, rectal prolapse
Resp Signs and symptoms in adults for cystic fibrosis
cough, wheeze, recurrent infections, bronchiectasis, pneumothorax, haemoptysis, respiratory failure, cor pulmonale
GI Signs and symptoms in adults for cystic fibrosis
pancreatic insufficiency, distal intestinal obstruction syndrome, gall stones, cirrhosis
Other Signs and symptoms in adults for cystic fibrosis
male infertility, osteoporosis, arthritis, vasculitis, nasal polyps, sinusitis, hypertrophic pulmonary osteoarthropathy
Investigations for cystic fibrosis
Blood spot on newborn
sweat test
genetic screening
Faecal elastase
Management for cystic fibrosis
MDT approach
What is croup
aka acute laryngotracheitis
common childhood illness caused by inflammation of the upper resp tract as a results of a viral infection
2 most responsible organism which can cause croup
parainfluenza
RSV
pathophysiology of croup
- Viral URTI causes nasopharyngeal inflammation that may spread to the larynx and trachea, causing subglottal inflammation, oedema and compromise of the airway at its narrowest portion
- Movement of vocal cords is impaired leading to the characteristic cough
Risk factors for croup
mostly effects 6mnth to 6 yrs old
genetics
4 signs and symptoms of croup
barking cough
stridor
hoarse cry
coryzal
What are the investigations for croup
Modified Westley scoring system
clinical diagnosis but o2 stats less than 95 indicated resp impairment
Management for croup
well hydrated, manage fever
dexamethasone
Nebulised budesonide
Nebulised adrenaline
complication of croup
pneumonia
pneumothorax
pulmonary oedema
dehydration
What is empyema
collection or presence of frank pus within pleural space
Pathophysiology of empyema
often due to infections post pneumonia
Begins as free flowing pleural fluid that becomes infected
Bacteria colonises the free fluid during the exudate stage when there is an increase of fluid production
which infection is most common in empyema
Anaerobic, staph and gram neg infections are most common causes
What are the risk factors for empyema
Pneumonia
endoscopy
lung abscess
alcoholism
Diabetes
COPD
Signs and symptoms of empyema
SOB
Fever and sweating
Dry cough
Chest pain upon breathing
Weight loss
Tachypnoea
Rales
Ronchi
Dullness to percussion
Investigations for empyema
Bloods
- FBCs, U&Es, CRP
Orifice Test
- Throacentesis
X-ray/Imaging
- CXR, CT Chest
Special Tests
- blood cultures
Management for empyema
Medical
- Thoracentesis/ Chest drain
- Antibiotics based on causative agent
Surgical
- removal of affected area
2 complications of empyema
Fibrosis
Empyema necessitatis
What is influenza
It is an acute respiratory illness due to infection with the influenza virus
What are the 3 serotypes of influenza
- Influenza A - more frequent and the cause of major influenza outbreaks
- Influenza B - tends to circulate with A in yearly outbreaks and causes less severe illness
- Influenza C - tends to cause a mild or asymptomatic illness akin to the common cold
Influenza A and B viruses cause most clinical disease
Risk factors for influenza
- Closed environments - e.g schools, prisons, and residential homes
- Very Young
- Elderly
- Immunocompromised
- Pre-existing cardiac or respiratory illness