Respiratory Flashcards
What is spirometry?
FEV1 and FVC are measure
A ratio is determined from the two values.
Normal ratio with reduced FEV1 and FEV = restrictive
Reduced ratio with just reduced FEV1 = obstructive
What are the 4 main causes for hypoxia?
Hypoventilation
Diffusion impairment
R->L Shunt (Pulmonary embolus, congenital heart disease and pericardial tamponade can all cause this)
V/Q mismatch
What is the A-a gradient?
A= Alveolar
a= arterial
The gradient less than 2kPa in young healthy people or less than 4kPa in older people implies lung pathology
What is Anaphylaxis?
A serious allergic reaction.
A sensitised individual is exposed to a specific antigen, leading to an increase in IgE , causing mast cell release of histamine and an increase in basophils
What are the symptoms of Anaphylaxis?
Angioedema
Hoarseness
Stridor
Wheeze
Bronchospasm
Chest tightness
Pruritus
How do you treat anaphylaxis?
If medication/contrast reaction, stop administration of the offending substance
Give high flow O2 ( 15L/min with non-rebreathable mask )
Administer 0.5ml of IM adrenaline ( 1:1000)
Administer antihistamine (diphenhydramine (25-50mg IV)
What are the features of a Mild Asthma Exacerbation?
No features of severe asthma
PEFR > 75%
What are the features of a Moderate Asthma exacerbation?
No features of severe asthma
PEFR 50-75%
What are the features of a Severe Asthma exacerbation?
Any of the following:
PEFR 33-50%
Cannot complete sentences in one breath
Respiratory Rate >25/min
Heart Rate >110/min
What are the features of a Life Threatening Asthma exacerbation?
PEFR <33%
Sats <92%
ABG pO2< 8kPa
Cyanosis, Poor Respiratory Effort or near or full Silent Chest
Exhaustion, Confusion, Hypotension or Arrhythmias
Normal pCO2
What is the feature of a Near Fatal Asthma exacerbation?
Raised pCO2
What is the management for an acute asthma exacerbation?
ABCDE
Aim for SpO2 94-98% with O2 if needed ( controlled O2 )
ABG if sats <92%
2.5mg nebulised Salbutamol ( can repeat in 15mins)
40mg PO Prednisolone STAT ( if PO not possible give IV Hydrocortisone
What is the management for Anaphylaxis?
Remove trigger
Ensure airway stability + high flow O2 if needed
IM Adrenaline 0.5mg ( Repeat every 5mins )
If hypotensive lie flat and fluid recuss
Treat bronchospasm -> NEB Salbutamol
What is the management for severe asthma?
NEB Ipratropium Bromide 500mg
Back to back Salbutamol?
What is the management for life threatening or near fatal asthma?
Urgent ITU
Urgent portable CXR
IV Aminophylline
Consider IV Salbutamol if NEB ineffective
What implies an infective COPD exacerbation?
Change in sputum volume/ colour
Fever
Raised WCC +/- CRP
What is the management for a Non-Infective COPD exacerbation?
ABCDE
Aim for SaO2 of 94-98% but if any evidence of acute or previous Type 2 Respiratory Failure then target is 88-92%
Salbutamol and Ipratropium NEBS
Prednisolone 30 mg STAT and then for 7 days o.d
Consider IV Aminothylline if no improvement
Consider Non invasive ventilation if Type 2 Respiratory Failure and pH 7.25-7.35
If pH<7.25 consider ITU
What is the mangement for Pneumonia if Consolidation+/- purulent sputum+/- raised WCC and or CRP ?
ABCDE
If any septic features treat immediately with Sepsis 6 bundle
If not treat with antibiotics as per CURB-65 score and local guidelines
Mild- Amoxicillin
Moderate- Co-Amoxiclav
Severe= Co-amoxiclav
What does CURB-65 stand for?
C - Confusion
U - Urea > 7
R - Resp Rate > 30/min
B - Blood Pressure < 90mmHg or < 60mmHg
65 - Above 65
What is counts as Massive Haemoptysis?
> 240mls in 24 hours
100mls / day over consecutive days
What is the management for Massive Haemoptysis?
ABCDE Approach
-Lie patient on side of suspected lesion
-O2 if needed
-Fluid recussitation ( bloods / I.V)
-Stop NSAIDs/ Aspirin/ Anticoagulants
-Reverse any anticoagulation ( I.V Vitamin K and Prothrombin Complex )
-Oral or IV Tranexamic Acid for 5 days
-Antibiotics if any evidence of infection
-CT aortogram to identify bleeding site
Investigations-
Bloods - FBC, U&Es, G+S, Crossmatch, Coagulation, LFTs
What are the symptoms of a tension pneumothorax?
Hypotension
Tachycardia
Tracheal deviation away from side of pnemothorax
Mediastinal shift away from side of pnemothorax
What is the management for a Tension Pneumothorax?
Large bore IV cannula into 2nd ICS MCL
Then chest drain into affected side
What are the symptoms of a PE?
Chest Pain
SOB
Haemoptysis
What are examples of risk factors for a PE?
Recent travel ( long haul )
Recent surgery
Lower limb fracture
Late pregnancy
Previous DVT / VTE
What is an unprovoked PE?
A PE without clear cause/ risk factors
What is the management for a PE?
ABCDE
Oxygen if hypoxic
Analgesia
Subcutaneous LMWH whilst awaiting CTPA
DOAC for 3 months if provoked PE
DOAC for 6 months is unprovoked PE
LMWH ( Dalteparin ) if poor renal function ( eGFR < 15 )
What is the management for a massive PE?
Thrombolysis with IV Alteplase
What is a CTPA?
CT Pulmonary Angiogram
Tool used to detect blood clots in lungs using contrast
What determines if a PE is massive?
Hypotension/ Imminent cardiac arrest
Signs of right heart strain on CT/ECHO
What are the absolute contraindications for Thrombolysis?
Stroke in last 6 months
CNS neoplasia
Recent trauma/surgery
GI bleed in last month
Bleeding disorder
Aortic DIssesction
What are the only indications for high flow oxygen as apposed to controlled oxygen?
Cardiorespiratory Arrest
Peri-Arrest
Anaphylaxis
Sats < 85% on air
Carbon Monoxide poisoning
What is asthma?
Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
Reversible obstruction - sprirometry demonstrates
What are some symptoms of asthma?
Wheeze
SOB
Chest pain
What is the treatment for Acute Asthma Attack?
ABCDE
-Controlled O2- aim for SpO2 94-98%, if <92% do an ABG to see if in Respiratory Failure
-2.5mg NEB Salbutamol ( repeat after 15 mins )
-40mg PO Prednisolone STAT
What is the treatment for severe asthma attack?
ABCDE
-Controlled O2- aim for SpO2 94-98%, if <92% do an ABG to see if in Respiratory Failure
-2.5mg NEB Salbutamol ( consider back to back)
-40mg Oral Prednisolone STAT
-NEB Ipratropium Bromide 500mg !!!
What is the management for life-threatening asthma?
ABCDE
-Controlled O2 , aim for SpO2 94-98%, if <92% do an ABG to see if in Respiratory Failure
-Urgent ITU or anaesthetist assessment
-Urgent portable CXR
-40mg Prednisolone STAT
-NEB Ipratropium Bromide 500mg
-Back to back Salbutamol ( Consider I.V if ineffective)
-IV Aminophylline ( should only be administered after consulting senior)
What do you give in an acute asthma attack if Prednisolone PO is not available?
IV Hydrocortisone
What is the safe asthma discharge criteria ?
PEFR > 75%
Stop NEBs 24 hours prior to discharge
Asthma nurse review of inhaler technique
PEFR reading and written action plan
GP follow up within 2 days
Resp Clinic follow up within 4 weeks
What do eosinophilic presentations respond well to?
Steroids
What can Eosinophilia be caused by?
Asthma
COPD
Hayfever
Parasites
Eosinophilic Pneumonia
Lymphoma
SLE
Multiple courses of antibiotics for infection
Eosinophilic Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis
Hypereosinophilic Syndrome
What are the causes of COPD?
Smoking
a1-antitrypsin deficiency
Industrial exposure
What is emphysema?
Alveolar wall destruction causing irreversible collapsing, stretching or overinflation of the alveolar air spaces. Can cause air to get trapped in lung parenchyma ( Obstructive )
What is the outpatient COPD management?
COPD Care Bundle ( Prednisolone and Amoxicillin)
Smoking cessation
Pulmonary Rehabilitation
Bronchodilators
Antimuscarinics
Mucolytics
What is Long Term Oxygen Therapy and who is it indicated in?
LTOT can be used for up to 16 hours a day for survival benefit
Offered if pO2 is consistently below 7.3kPa
Patients must be non smokers and not retain high levels of CO2
What is Pulmonary Rehabilitation?
An MDT 6-12 week programme of supervised exercise , unsupervised home exercise, nutritional advice and disease education
What are the common organisms for community acquired pneumonia?
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Haemophilus Influenzae
Moraxella Cartarrhalis
What are the atypical organisms for community acquired pneumonia?
Legionella Pneumophila
Chlamydia Pneumoniae
Mycoplasma Pneumoniae
What are the typical organisms for hospital acquired pneumonia?
E.Coli
MRSA
Pseudomonas Aeruginosa
What is the investigation for pneumonia?
CXR - will see consolidation
What is the management for pneumonia?
ABCDE
Controlled O2 aim for 94-98%
CURB-65 score to indicate mortality and need for admission
If CURB-65 = 0-1 , can prescribe oral antibiotics and discharge
If CURB-65 = 2 , hospital admission , I.V antibiotics, sputum sample, bloods
If CURB-65 = 3-5 , consider ITU admission
IV Antibiotics, IV Fluids, bloods and Atypical Pneumonia Screen
ABG if low sats (<92%)
What is Legionnaire’s Disease?
A form of Pneumonia caused by Legionella Pneumophila
Associated with infected water ( showers/ hot tubs) and air conditioning
Presents with hyponatraemia
How is Legionnaire’s Disease detected?
Urinary Antigen Test
How does LD present on CXR
Bilateral mid-lower zone patchy consolidation
What is the Pneumonia follow up procedure?
HIV Test
Immunoglobulins
Pneumococcal IgG Serotypes
Haemophilus Influenzae Type B IgG
What are the causes of a non-resolving Pneumonia? (CHAOS)
Complication - Empyema, Abscess
Host- Immunocompromised
Antibiotic - inadequate dose, poor oral absorption
Organism - Resistant to empirical antibiotics
Second Diagnosis- PE, cancer
What are the empirical antibiotics for Pneumonia?
Amoxicillin
Amoxicillin + Doxycycline
Co-Amoxiclav + Doxycycline
What is SARS-CoV-2
Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome COVID (name of virus )
Can cause viral pneumonia
Patients requiring hospital admission will have hypoxia , lymphopaenia, eosinopaenia, bilateral lower-zone changes on CXR
What is the management for severe COVID?
High flow O2 / CPAP / Invasive ventilation
Dexamethasone
Anticoagulation with subcut Heparin
What is the common symptoms of TB?
Night Sweats
Weight Loss
Malaise
If Respiratory - Cough, Haemoptysis
If Non Resp - Erythema Nodosum , Lymphadenopathy, CNS TB ( Meningitis )
What are the risk factors for TB?
Past history of TB
Recent Positive Contact
Born in a TB incidence country
Recent Foreign Travel
Immunosupression
What is the management for TB
ABCDE
Admit to negative pressure side room
Take 3x Sputum Samples for Acid-Fast Stain ( Ziehl-Neelsen Stain ) and TB Culture ( Takes 6-8 weeks )
Routine bloods - FBC , LFTS, U&Es
Vit D Blood Test (causes hypocalcaemia)
HIV Test
CXR - if not typical do CT chest
If high likelihood of TB do PCR then start RIPE Therapy
What are the principles of RIPE therapy?
All 4 medications for 2 months then first two for 4 more months
Dose is weight dependent
Check LFTs and visual acuity before commencing
Directly Observed Therapy may be used to ensure compliance
R- Rifampicin
I - Isoniazid
P - Pyrazinamide
E - Ethambutol
Must also give Pyridoxine supplementation with Isoniazid to prevent peripheral neuropathy
What are some side effects of each medication in RIPE?
R - Orange secretions, Hepatitis
I - Peripheral Neuropathy, Hepatitis
P - Arthralgia , Hepatitis
E - Retrobulbar neuritis
What drug is given with Isoniazid and why?
Pyridoxine
To prevent peripheral neuropathy
What is Bronchiectasis?
Chronic dilation of one or more bronchi, leading to a build-up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection and causes air to get trapped in lungs ( Obstructive)
Poor mucus clearance
Recurrent Bacterial Infection
What is the gold standard diagnostic tool for Bronchiectasis?
High Resolution CT
Will see the Signet Ring Sign where the bronchi is larger than the accompanying blood vessel due to dilation
Will also see tram-track opacities
What are the post infective causes of Bronchiectasis?
Pertussis , TB
What are the genetic causes of Bronchiectasis?
Kartegener Syndrome
Cystic Fibrosis
Young’s Syndrome
Primary CIliary Dyskinesia
What is Kartegener Syndrome?
Triad
- Bronchiectasis
- Sinusitis
- Situs Inversus
What is Young’s Syndrome?
Triad
- Bronchiectasis
- Sinusitis
- Reduced Fertility
What are some obstructive causes of Bronchiectasis?
Foreign Body
Tumour
What are some secondary immune causes of Bronchiectasis?
HIV
Malignancy
RA
What are some other causes of Bronchiectasis?
Gastric aspiration
Inhalation of toxic chemicals
What is the management of Bronchiectasis
Treat underlying cause
Physiotherapy ( Mucus Clearance )
If infective exacerbation give 10-14 days of appropriate antibiotics
What antibiotic do you give for Haemophilus Influenzae infective exacerbation of Bronchiectasis?
Amoxicillin 10-14 days
What antibiotic do you give for Pseudomonas infective exacerbation of Bronchiectasis?
Ciprofloxacin
What is Allergic Bromnchopulmonary Aspergillosis?
Caused by exposure to Aspergillus fungus
It is a combo of Type 1 and Type 3 hypersensitivity reactions leading to repeated damage
How is Allergic Bromnchopulmonary Aspergillosis confiremed ?
Bloods - Raised Aspergillus IgE and Raised Total IgE , Eosinophilia
How is Allergic Bromnchopulmonary Aspergillosis treated ?
Steroids