Respiratory Flashcards
Most common cause of bronchiolitis?
RSV
Presentation of bronchiolitis?
<1yr
coryzal symptoms
signs of respiratory distress
dyspnoea
tachypnoea
poor feeding
mild fever
apnoea
wheeze and crackles
Signs of respiratory distress?
tachypnoea
use of accessory muscles
intercostal and subcostal recessions
nasal flaring
head bobbing
tracheal tugging
cyanosis
abnormal airway noises (wheeze, grunting, stridor)
When to admit in bronchiolitis?
< 3 months
pre-existing condition (prematurity, CF, DS)
50-75% less than normal milk intake
dehydration
RR > 70
O2 sats <92%
signs of resp distress
apnoeas
parents concerned
Management of bronchiolitis?
supportive management
adequate intake (NG)
saline nasal drops and suctioning
supplementary O2
ventilator if required
What is palivizumab used for?
monoclonal antibody that targets RSV
given monthly to high-risk babies (CHD, premature)
Viral-induced wheeze vs asthma?
presenting before 3yrs
no atopic history
only occurs during viral infections
Presentation of acute asthma?
progressively worsening dyspnoea
signs of resp distress
tachypnoea
expiratory wheeze globally
‘tight’ chest
silent chest (severe)
Moderate asthma attack?
peak flow >50%
normal speech
no signs of resp distress
Severe asthma attack?
peak flow 33%>x>50%
sats <92 %
unable to complete sentences
signs of resp distress
RR >40 (1-5) or >30 (>5)
HR >140 (1-5) or >125 (>5)
Life-threatening asthma attack?
peak flow <33%
sats <92%
exhaustion and poor resp effort
hypotension
silent chest
cyanosis
altered consciousness/ confusion
normal PaCO2
Mx of acute asthma?
O2
bronchodilators (salbutamol, ipratropium, magnesium sulphate, aminophylline)
steroids (prednisolone, hydrocortisone)
antibiotics if bacterial infection suspected
What is chronic asthma?
chronic inflammatory airway disease leading to variable airway constriction and obstruction
Atopic conditions?
asthma
hay fever
eczema
food allergies
Features suggestive of asthma?
episodic symptoms
diurnal variability (worse at night and early morning)
dry cough
triggers
hx of atopy
FHx of atopy
bilateral widespread wheeze
symptoms improve with bronchodilators
Features suggestive of alternative diagnosis to asthma?
wheeze only related to colds
isolated or productive cough
normal investigations
no response to treatment
unilateral wheeze
Typical asthma triggers?
dust
animals
cold
exercise
smoke
food allergens
Investigations for asthma?
spirometry with reversibility testing (>5)
direct bronchial challenge test with histamine or methacholine
fractional exhaled NO
peak flow variability diary
Asthma mx in <5yrs?
1) SABA as required
2) add low-dose ICS or leukotriene antagonist
3) add the other
4) refer to specialist
Asthma mx in 5-12yrs?
1) start a SABA
2) add low dose ICS
3) add LABA
4) titrate steroid to medium dose + consider leukotriene receptor antagonist or oral theophylline
5) titrate steroid to high dose
6) refer to specialist
Asthma mx in >12yrs?
(same as adults)
1) SABA
2) add low-dose ICS
3) add LABA
4) titrate steroid to medium dose + consider leukotriene receptor antagonist, oral theophylline or
Presentation of pneumonia?
productive cough
high fever
tachypnoea
tachycardia
incr. work of breathing
lethargy
delirium (late)
bronchial breath sounds
focal coarse crackles
dullness to percussion
Causes of pneumonia?
Bacterial:
strep pneumoniae
Group A strep
Group B strep
staph aureus
haemophilus influenzae
mycoplasma pneumoniae
Viral:
RSV
parainfluenza
influenza
Investigations in pneumonia?
CXR (consolidation)
sputum culture
throat swabs
viral PCR
blood cultures (sepsis)
blood gas analysis