Respiratory Flashcards
What is the criteria for moderate asthma?
PEFR: 50-75% best or predicted
Normal Speech
Respiratory rate <25/min
Pulse <110bpm
What is the criteria for severe asthma?
PEFR: 33-50% best or predicted
Can’t complete sentences
Respiratory rate >25/min
Pulse >110bpm
How many of the life-threatening symptoms of asthma does a patient need to have to be classed as life-threatening?
One
If a patient presents with asthma but has normal CO2 levels which classification (moderate, severe, life-threatening) is it?
Life-threatening as it indicates exhaustion
If asthma is being considered in a patient >16 what diagnostic tests must be done?
- Spirometry
- Bronchodilator Reversibility
- FeNO
When is a FeNO test done in children under 17 with suspected asthma (criteria)?
If the child has:
- Normal Spirometry
- Obstructive Spirometry and a negative BDR test
What FeNO is considered positive in adults and children?
Adults >= 40 parts per billion (ppl)
Children >= 35 parts per billion
What is the treatment order for management of newly diagnosed asthma in adults?
1st: SABA (short acting beta 2 agonist)
2nd: SABA + ICS (1st line if newly diagnosed and night waking/ >= 3 times. Week)
3rd: SABA + ICS + LTRA (Leukotriene receptor antagonist)
4th: SABA + low-dose ICS + long-acting beta agonist (LABA)
5th: SABA +- LTRA + MART (maintenance and reliever therapy)
What symptoms does asthma present with?
Dyspnoea
Wheeze
Cough- dry or productive, worse in the night and morning
Chest tightness
Describe the pathophysiology of asthma?
Chronic inflammatory condition caused by type 1 hypersensitivity of the airways resulting in:
1. Airway inflammation: release of cytokines, leukotrines, histamine and infiltration of immune cells into airway wall
2. Bronchoconstriction, mucus production and airway oedema
3. Hyperresponsiveness: excessive reaction
4. Airway damage and remodelling: excessive mucus production, smooth muscle hypertrophy
What is an exacerbation of asthma?
Progressive worsening of symptoms over an acute or sub-acute time period
What investigations are done for acute asthma exacerbation?
PEFR
Sp02
Arterial blood gases
Venous blood gas
If a patient presents with near fatal or life threatening asthma exacerbation, what should be done?
Hospital admission and treatment started immediately
If asthma exacerbation patient is hypoxaemic, how much oxygen should be given?
15L of oxygen via non-rebreather mask, Venturi or nasal cannulae. Adjust flow rates as necessary to maintain an oxygen saturation of 94–98%
Describe the course of treatment in patients with acute asthma exacerbation awaiting hospital admission?
- Supplemental oxygen if patient is hypoxaemic
- SABA (salbutamol 5mg, terbutaline): via pressurised metered-dose inhaler (pMDI) in moderate and via oxygen driven nebuliser in life-threatening/ near fatal
- Severe/ life-threatening/ poor response in moderate give patient nebulized ipratropium bromide (500 micrograms for adults and 250 micrograms for children aged 2–12 years, do not repeat within 4 hours).
- Give a dose of a course of prednisolone (40–50 mg for adults, 30–40 mg for children over 5 years, 20 mg for children aged 2–5 years, and 10 mg for children aged under 2 years). Continue for 5 days
What is the mechanism of action of ipratrobium bromide?
It is an anticholinergic and an antagonist of the muscarinic receptor (M3) resulting in smooth muscle dilation and subsequent opening of the airways as well as reduced mucus secretions
What is the mechanism of action of salbutamol?
Salbutamol is a beta 2 agonist. Salbutamol relaxes the smooth muscles of all airways, from the trachea to the terminal bronchioles.
What are the 2 classifications of COPD?
Chronic bronchitis
Emphysema
Which type of COPD most commonly causes hyperinflation?
Emphysema
Describe how a patient with chronic bronchitis presents?
Typically:
- overweight
- smoker
- Dyspnoea
- cough
- sputum production
Describe how a patient with emphysema may present?
- cachexic
- Dyspnoea
- hyperinflation (barrel chest)
What are the causes/risk factors of COPD?
- smoking
- air pollution
- work place dust and organic material
- alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency
What is the most common cause of COPD?
Smoking - 85-90%
How do you diagnosed COPD?
- post-bronchodilator spirometry to demonstrate airflow obstruction: FEV1/FVC ratio less than 70%
- Serum alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency if the person is younger than 40 years of age or has a family history.
- chest x-ray: hyperinflation, bullae, flat hemidiaphragm. Also important to exclude lung cancer
- full blood count: exclude secondary polycythaemia and anaemia
How is severity of airway obstruction in suspected COPD classified?
Stage 1, mild — FEV1 80% of predicted value or higher.
Stage 2, moderate — FEV1 50–79% of predicted value.
Stage 3, severe — FEV1 30–49% of predicted value.
Stage 4, very severe — FEV1 less than 30% of predicted value or FEV1 less than 50% with respiratory failure.
What non pharmacological treatments are indicated for COPD?
- smoking cessation: nicotine replacement therapy
- offer influenza and pneumococcal vaccinations
- pulmonary rehabilitation.
What is the first line drug treatment for COPD? When is it indicated?
If patient if breathless and has exercise limitations. Offer following to be used when needed for relief.
- SABA
- SAMA
What are 2 examples of short acting muscarinic antagonists?
Ipratropium bromide
oxitropium bromide
In acute exacerbation of asthma in children between 5-12 years, what is the respiratory rate and pulse rate to class it as a severe asthma?
RR >= 30
Pulse>= 125
O2< 92%
What does chest x ray show in COPD diagnosis?
hyperinflation, bullae, flat hemidiaphragm
How do you determine whether a COPD patient has asthmatic/steroid responsive features?
- any previous, secure diagnosis of asthma or of atopy
- a higher blood eosinophil count - note that NICE recommend a full blood count for all patients as part of the work-up
- substantial variation in FEV1 over time (at least 400 ml)
- substantial diurnal variation in peak expiratory flow (at least 20%)
If a patient has copd with asthmatic feature what is second line treatment of SABA alone isn’t working?
LABA + ICS
Otherwise LABA+ LAMA
What are other possible treatments for COPD?
Oral theophylline- multiple drug interactions, monitor serum levels
Oral mucolytic therapy- should be ‘considered’ in patients with a chronic productive cough and continued if symptoms improve
Oral prophylactic antibiotic therapy- azithromycin prophylaxis is recommended in select patients
patients should not smoke, have optimised standard treatments and continue to have exacerbations
Phosphodiesterase-4 (PDE-4) inhibitors- roflumilast
In which cases would you give long term oxygen therapy in a copd patient?
very severe airflow obstruction (FEV1 below 30% predicted)
cyanosis (blue tint to skin)
polycythaemia
peripheral oedema (swelling)
a raised jugular venous pressure
oxygen saturations of 92% or less breathing air.
Which of the following is not an indication for long-term oxygen therapy (LTOT) in patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
- PaO2 = 7.3-8.0 kPa with secondary polycythaemia
- PaO2 = 7.3-8.0 kPa with anaemia
- PaO2 = 7.3-8.0 kPa with pulmonary hypertension
- PaO2 < 7.3 kPa
- PaO2 = 7.3-8.0 kPa with peripheral oedema
- PaO2 = 7.3-8.0 kPa with anaemia
What is the target range for oxygen saturation in copd patients?
88-92%
How is a COPD exacerbation managed?
- SABA - inhaler or nebuliser (If a person with COPD is hypercapnic or acidotic the nebuliser should be driven by compressed air rather than oxygen (to avoid worsening hypercapnia)
- Oral corticosteroids- Offer 30 mg oral prednisolone daily for 5 days
- Patients with persistent hypercapnia and respiratory acidosis despite optimal medical management need to be started on NIV
In what situations is theophylline contra indicated and why?
Patients with comorbidities such as heart failure, hepatic impairment and viral infections. It is metabolised in the liver, the toxic dose is very close to the therapeutic dose and in these conditions the plasma concentration is increased.
Which line of treatment for COPD is theophylline? When is it indicated?
Third line
If patient has tried both long and short acting bronchodilators and is unable to tolerate inhaled therapy
When would a pde-4 (phosphodiesterase) inhibitor be given for COPD?
the disease is severe, defined as a forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1) after a bronchodilator of less than 50% of predicted normal
the person has had 2 or more exacerbations in the previous 12 months despite triple inhaled therapy with a long-acting muscarinic antagonist, a long-acting beta-2 agonist and an inhaled corticosteroid
What are the 3 types of pneumothorax?
Spontaneous
Traumatic
Iatrogenic
What are the 2 types of spontaneous pneumothorax?
Primary: no underlying lung pathology
Secondary: underlying lung pathology such as asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis, lung cancer
What are the risk factors for a primary spontaneous pneumothorax?
Tall
Thin
Male
20-40 years
Smoker
Marfan syndrome
What are the possible causes of iatrogenic pneumothorax?
Lung biopsy
Mechanical ventilation
Insertion of central line
Thoracicentesis
Describe the typical presentation of a pneumothorax?
Sudden onset:
Pleuritic chest pain
Dyspnoea
How is a pneumothorax diagnosed?
Examination: diminished breath sounds, hyper resonance on percussion, decreased chest wall expansion
Chest X- ray: erect with lungs inflated, loss of lung markings
How is a primary pneumothorax treat?
No SOB/ <2cm : discharge with 2 week follow up
SOB present and/or >2cm: aspirate then reassess
If aspiration fails a chest drain must be inserted
How long after a pneumothorax must you wait before taking a flight?
2 weeks
How do you treat a secondary pneumothorax?
Age>50, size>2cm: chest drain
1-2cm: aspirate
If after aspiration it is <1cm admit to hospital, O2 and 24 hour monitoring
If after aspiration it is >1cm then insert chest drain
What is a tension pneumothorax?
One way valve, air enters the pleural space but can not leave
What are the symptoms of a tension pneumothorax?
Tracheal deviation
Raised JVP
Mediastinal shift
Respiratory distress
Haemodynamic instability: tachycardia and hypotension
How is a tension pneumothorax treated?
Insert a large bore cannula into the 2nd intercostal space, mid- clavicular line
Once patient has stabilised insert chest drain (4th intercostal space)
IMMEDIATELY- DONT WAIT
Once a chest drain is inserted, what must be done? Why?
Chest x ray to check the positioning
Is it normal for chest drain to swing and bubble? Why?
Yes
Due to inspiration and expiration
When should non invasive ventilation be given in COPD exacerbation?
NIV is indicated if the following features are present 60 minutes after optimal supplemental oxygen and bronchodilation have been given
- Acidosis - pH < 7.35
- Hypercapnia - pCO2 > 6.5
- Respiratory rate > 23
How does FEV/FVC present in COPdD and asthma?
Reduced FEV1 and reduced or normal FVC
FEV/FVC reduced
What are the major symptoms of CoPD?
Dyspnoea
Sputum production
Increased sputum purulence
Wha are the 4 most common causes of bronchiectasis?
Idiopathic
Post infection
Immunodeficiency
COPD
What respiratory infections are commonly associated with Bronchiectasis?
Tuberculosis
Whooping cough
Measles
Pneumonia
What are the main symptoms of Bronchiectasis?
Chronic productive cough
Daily sputum production
Haemoptysis
Recurrent chest infections
What are other symptoms of Bronchiectasis?
Rhinosinusitis symptoms: nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, blocked nose
Dyspnoea
Chest pain
What comorbidities are often associated with Bronchiectasis development?
Rheumatoid arthritis
GORD
Inflammatory bowel disease
Asthma
COPD
Cystic fibrosis
What investigations are done for suspected Bronchiectasis?
Sputum culture
CxR: rule out TB and malignancy
Post bronchodilator spiromitry: obstructive or mixed
Oxygen sats
HRCT
If Bronchiectasis is confirmed what tests should be done?
serum total IgE and assessment of sensitisation to Aspergillus fumigatus - to investigate for Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
Screening for gross antibody deficiency- Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) - to investigate for immunodeficiency
Specific antibody levels against capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Cystic fibrosis screening: sweat chloride or gene
Alpha- 1- antitrypsin deficiency
Bronchoscope: aspiration
PCD
If Bronchiectasis is confirmed what tests should be done?
serum total IgE and assessment of sensitisation to Aspergillus fumigatus - to investigate for Allergic Broncho Pulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA)
Screening for gross antibody deficiency- Serum immunoglobulin G (IgG), immunoglobulin A (IgA) and immunoglobulin M (IgM) - to investigate for immunodeficiency
Specific antibody levels against capsular polysaccharides of Streptococcus pneumoniae
Cystic fibrosis screening: sweat chloride or gene
Alpha- 1- antitrypsin deficiency
Bronchoscope: aspiration
PCD
How is Bronchiectasis managed?
Primary care:
ACS: airway clearance techniques - review in exacerbations
Infuenza vaccine
Pneumococcal vaccine
Antibiotics: prescribe for 7-14 days
SABA
When should a patient with Bronchiectasis be referred for secondary care to a respiratory specialist? What will be done?
If they have 3 or more exacerbations in a year despite treatment and management
Prophylactic antibiotic treatment
Mucolytics