Respiratory Flashcards
What angle do you examine a patient at for cardiorespiratory examination?
45º
What may you spot from the end of bed?
Cyanosis
Dyspnoea
Cough
Wheeze
Stridor
Pallor
Oedema
Cachexia
Ambulatory aids
Oxygen
Sputum pot
Mobility aids
Vital signs
Smoking apparatus
Prescriptions
What may you notice when inspecting the hands?
Colour
Tar staining
Skin changes (steroid use/diseases)
Joint deformity
Clubbing
What is the name of the window seen when clubbing is absent?
Schamroth’s window
What is suggestive of asterixis?
Flapping at 30 seconds
What signs may you see in the face of a patient when doing a respiratory exam?
Conjunctival pallor
Ptosis
Miosis
Enopthalmos
Anhidrosis
What signs may you see in the mouth of a patient when doing a respiratory exam?
Central cyanosis
Oral candidiasis
What surgical scars may be noted in a respiratory exam?
Median sternotomy (CABG)
Axillary thoracotomy scar
Posterolateral thoracotomy scar (lobectomy; pneumonectomy)
Infraclavicular scar
Radiotherapy-associated skin changes
What chest wall deformities are you aware of?
Pes carinatum
Pes excavatum
Hyperxpansion (barrel chest)
What types of percussion note are you aware of?
Resonant
Dullness
Stony dullness
Hyper-resonance
How do you report auscultation of the lung fields?
Site: Unilateral vs Bilateral
Sound: Vesicular vs Bronchial
Additional sounds:
- Wheeze
- Stridor
- Coarse crackles
- Fine end-inspiratory crackles
What investigations would you consider following a respiratory examination?
Oxygen saturation
ABG
Sputum
Bloods
CXR
ECG
Spirometry
Peak flow
CT-CAP
What features suggest a COPD patient has asthma like, airway responsive features?
Diurnal variations
FEV/FEVC <0.7
High eosinophil count
PMHx atopy
Which investigations may help diagnose IPF?
CT-Chest
TLCO
When should a chest drain be placed in the context of a pleural effusion secondary to infection?
pH <7.2
Turbid/cloudy
