Respiratory Flashcards
Prior to discharge, following an acute asthma attack, how long should patients be stable on their discharge medication (i.e. no nebulisers or oxygen)?
12-24h
Decrease in pO2/FiO2 in poorly patient with non-cardiorespiratory presentation → condition?
ARDS
Pneumothorax management: what are the high-risk characteristics that determine the need for a chest drain?
1) Haemodynamic compromise (suggesting a tension pneumothorax)
2) Significant hypoxia
3) Bilateral pneumothorax
4) Underlying lung disease
5) ≥ 50 years of age with significant smoking history
6) Haemothorax
Mx of pleural plaques?
Benign - no follow up
What is often seen on CXR in bronchiectasis?
Parallel line shadows (often called tram-lines) are common in bronchiectasis and indicate dilated bronchi due to peribronchial inflammation and fibrosis.
1st line Abx for prophylaxis of COPD exacerbations?
Azithromycin
Who should LTOT be offered to in COPD?
Patients with a pO2 of < 7.3 kPa or to those with a pO2 of 7.3 - 8 kPa and one of the following:
1) secondary polycythaemia
2) peripheral oedema
3) pulmonary hypertension
Prognosis of sarcoidosis?
The majority of patients with sarcoidosis get better without treatment
What class of drug is ipratropium?
SAMA
Mx of minimally symptomatic pneumothorax, regardless of size?
conservative treatment / regular follow-up
1st line for mx of high altitude cerebral oedema?
Dexamethasone
1st line for prevention of high altitude cerebral oedema?
Acetazolamide
total gas transfer (TLCO) in asthma?
Normal or raised
This is because the problem is not affecting the alveoli directly or gas exchange and so the lungs try to compensate for the problem by improving gas exchange.
In what 2 conditions would you see raised TLCO?
1) Asthma
2) L to R cardiac shunt
How can kyphoscoliosis (e.g. caused by ankylosing spondylitis) affect lung function tests?
Can cause a restrictive picture on spirometry (i.e. normal or increased FEV1/FVC ratio).
What is hypogammaglobulinemia?
A disorder caused by low serum immunoglobulin or antibody levels i.e. an immune deficiency.
This is known to cause a range of conditions such as bronchiectasis and IBD.
What is the main complication for a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia?
Development of bronchiectasis
PTH level in 1ary hyperparathyroidism?
May be raised or normal
Normal PTH still indicates 1ary hyperparathyroidism as level should be reduced by high calcium level.
What is the severity of COPD based on?
FEV1 spirometry reading
Describe the 4 stages of COPD severity
Stage 1 (mild) - FEV1 >80%
Stage 2 (mod) - 50-79%
Stage 3 (severe) - 30-49%
Stage 4 (very severe) - FEV1 <30%
At what age should a patient presenting with unexplained haemoptysis be referred under the 2WW for suspected lung cancer?
≥40 y/o
Does a negative result on spirometry exclude asthma?
No - do further investigations (e.g. FeNO)
What is FVC
The volume of air in the lungs that can be exhaled following a deep inhalation
What is FEV1
A measure of how much air can be exhaled in one second following a deep inhalation
What is TCLO (Transfer factor for carbon monoxide, also known as diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide or DLCO)?
A measure of how much O2 diffuses from the lung alveoli to blood in the capillaries.
Reduced TCLO indicates impaired gas exchange.
What are the 3 first line Abx for an infective exacerbation of COPD?
1) amoxicillin
2) clarithromycin
3) doxycycline
What are the adverse effects of amiodarone use?
1) thyroid dysfunction: both hypo- and hyper-
2) corneal deposits
3) pulmonary fibrosis/pneumonitis
4) liver fibrosis/hepatitis
5) peripheral neuropathy
6) photosensitivity
7) ‘slate-grey’ appearance
8) thrombophlebitis and injection site reactions
9) bradycardia
10) lengths QT interval
Why should IV amiodarone be ideally given into central veins?
As is a common cause of thrombophlebitis
What 4 investigations are required prior to amiodarone treatment?
1) TFTs
2) LFTs
3) U&Es
4) CXR
What 2 investigations are required every 6 months whilst on amiodarone treatment?
1) LFTs
2) TFTs
In COPD patients, if they are still breathless despite using SABA/SAMA and a LABA + ICS, what is next step?
Add a LAMA
How does sarcoidosis cause hypercalcaemia?
Due to the uncontrolled synthesis of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 (i.e. vitamin D) by macrophages.
Key investigation in ILD/pulmonary fibrosis? What does it show?
High resolution CT of thorax - shows ‘ground glass’ appearance.
What are 2 congenital causes of bronchiectasis?
1) CF
2) A1AT deficiency
What are 3 connective tissue causes of bronchiectasis?
1) RA
2) SLE
3) Sarcoidosis