Respiratory Flashcards
Which part of the lung is most likely affected in aspiration pneumonia and why?
Right middle/lower lobes
Because the right bronchus is straighter and more vertical than the left so aspiration is most likely to affect lungs on the right
Lower lobes if patient sitting upright (gravity)
Components of CURB-65
Confusion
Urea > 7
Respiratory rate > 30
Systolic BP < 90 or Diastolic BP < 60
Age > 65
How many weeks after clinical resolution of pneumonia should patient have repeat chest X-ray?
6 weeks
Community Acquired Pneumonia: Common causative agents
Strep Pneumoniae (80%)
H. Influenzae (more common in COPD)
Viral: RSV, COVID-19 (15%), Influenza
Atypical:
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (younger patients)
Chlamydia pneumoniae (Elderly patients)
Legionella pneumoniae
Hospital Acquired Pneumonia: Common causative agents
Gram negatives:
- Klebsiella
- E. Coli
- Pseudomonas
MRSA
Staph Aureus
When to consider antibiotics in acute bronchitis?
Systemically unwell
Pre-existing co-morbidities
CRP of 20-100 (offer delayed prescription)
CRP > 100 (offer antibiotics immediately)
Antibiotic for acute bronchitis
Doxycycline
Pregnant or aged 12-17: Amoxicillin
Define Pneumonia
Signs of respiratory tract infection + New shadowing on CXR
Asthma DIAGNOSTIC tests
Spirometry and bronchidilator reversibility test
If > 17 yrs or still unsure in children:
FeNO test
All adults with suspected asthma should have both of the above tests
At what age can you test for asthma
> 5 years
Under 5 diagnosis made on clinical judgement
Positive FeNO test result
> = 40 ppb = positive test for asthma
Spirometry test positive result for asthma
FEV1 : FVC ratio < 70%
This is considered OBSTRUCTIVE
Bronchodilator reversibility testing positive result (asthma)
Positive test = improvement of FEV1 of of 12% or more
What is the relevance of testing for fractional expired nitrous oxide?
NO is produced in response to inflammation and expired
Uncontrolled asthma
Current meds: Salbutamol INH PRN
Using 3 x per week
What next?
+ ICS
E.g. beclometasone
Uncontrolled asthma
Current meds: Salbutamol + ICS
What next?
+ Long acting beta-2 agonist (LABA)
E.g. salmeterol/formoterol
** Can’t use LABA without ICS
They come in combined inhaler - Symbicort/Fostair (= MAST regimen)
Uncontrolled asthma
Current meds: Salbutamol + ICS/LABA (Symbicort)
What next?
+ LTRA (leukotriene receptor antagonist)
E.g. Montelukast
Uncontrolled asthma
Current meds: Salbutamol + ICS/LABA + Montelukast
What next?
Increase dose of ICS
If this doesn’t help refer to specialist and consider long term oral steroids (e.g. prednisolone)
Signs of poor control of asthma
Using SABA (reliever) >= 3 x per week
Night symptoms >= 1 x per week
Interfering with daily activities
Chest tightness, wheeze
Exacerbation in the last 2yrs
Signs of severe asthma attack
PEF 33-50% of best
RR >= 25
HR >= 110
Incomplete sentences
Accessory muscles
Hyper inflated chest
Pulses paradoxus (Decrease in sBP with inspiration)
Signs of life threatening asthma attack
PEF < 33% of best
SpO2 < 92%
Decreased HR and BP
Exhaustion / confusion
Silent chest
Cyanosis
ABG: Increased CO2, O2 < 8, acidotic
Management of Atelectasis
Position the patient upright
Chest physiotherapy
Types and causes of Atelectasis
Obstructive - e.g. mucus plug (COPD, CF), foreign body, tumour
Non-obstructive
- most commonly caused by anaesthesia
- compressive - pneumothorax, hernia, pleural effusion
- contraction - scar tissue
- adhesive - surfactant deficiency
What is atelectasis?
Collapse of alveoli and lung tissue