Respiratory Flashcards
How do you classify massive haemoptysis?
Massive bleeding from the airways below the glottis:
- >400ml/24 hours
- >150-200ml in one episode
- 3 episodes in one week >100ml
How do you manage a primary pneumothorax?
- <2cm and no SOB = supportive mx
- > 2cm or SOB = attempt aspiration, if this fails insert chest drain
How do you manage a secondary pneumothorax?
- pt >50 OR >2cm OR SOB insert chest drain
- absence of these = aspiration
- <1cm give oxygen and monitor for 24 hours
- persistent air leak (>5days) = pleurodesis (surgical or medical if pt not fit for surgery).
How do you manage a tension pneumothorax?
Large bore cannula into 5th intercostal space mid-axillary line
What is the common signs of tension pneumothorax?
Distended neck veins, tracheal deviation, no audible breath signs
What is the pathophysiology behind ARDS?
Alveolar damage causes fluid infiltration and therefore impaired oxygenation.
What are the signs/sx of ARDS?
Dyspnoea, tachycardia, confusion, presyncope/syncope, non-cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and diffuse bilateral opacities on CXR.
What conditions cause ARDS? How is it managed?
Pneumonia, sepsis, trauma, aspiration.
Mx: mechanical ventilation with a low tidal volume and limited pressure to avoid ventilator associated injury.
Why does hyperventilation cause the sensation of numbness in the hands, feet, and around the mouth?
Hyperventilation = reduced arterial CO2 = incease in blood pH (respiratory alkalosis) = promotes calcium binding to albumin which reduces circulating calcium = symptoms.
How do you differentiate between transudative and exudation pleural effusions?
T: <25 protein
E: >35
In between use light’s criteria
What causes transudative and exudative pleural effusions?
T: increased pressure e.g., heart failure, liver cirrhosis
E: infection, malignancy, rheumatological conditions
What is the mx for a PE?
- Unprovoked: 6 months anticoagulant (DOAC)
- Provoked: 3 months of anticoagulant (DOAC)
What is thrombembolic pulmonary HeTN?
CTEPH: complication of PE, diagnosed with a right heart catheter to measure pressures. Can lead to right sided heart failure.
What is pulmonary atelectasis?
Excessive bronchial secretions causes collapse of the lung: tachycardia, fever, tachypnoea, dull ling bases, reduced fremitus.
What sx do you get with carbon monoxide poisoning? What happens to the oxy-Hb curve?
N+V, headaches, confusion.
Severe toxicity: temperatures, arrhythmias, pink skin.
Left shift of the curve.
Presentation of TB?
Nights sweats, fever, weight loss, chronic cough, different organ system symptoms.
Often travelled form an endemic country.
What do you see on CXR of TB?
Upper lobe opacification known as a ‘ fibronodular appearance’ or ‘fibrocavitary lesions’
How do you diagnose TB?
Sputum acid-fast bacilli smear: must have 3 early morning +ve results to confirm diagnosis.
Auramine O and Ziehl-Neelsen are types of stains used for this.
How is TB managed?
2 months: isoniazid, rifampicin, pyrazinamide, and ethambutol.
Further 4 months: rifampicin and isoniazid.
If there is CNS involvement, how do you manage TB?
2 months of quadruple therapy, 10 further months of double therapy (just rifampicin and isoniazid)
What complications can result from TB?
- Aspergilloma
- Pott’s disease (degradation of vertebrae due to infiltration of mycobacterium)
What are the elements of the CURB65 score?
- Confused? AMTS less than or equal to 8
- Urea >7mmol
- RR >30
- BP systolic <90, diastolic <60
- > 65 y/o
0/1= manage at home
2= admit for abx and observation
3/4= consider escalation to critical care
A CURB65 score of 1 can be managed at home, what would you prescribe for them?
1g amoxicillin TD for 5 days
Mycoplasma pneumoniae is an atypical pneumonia, what are its complications?
- cold autoimmune haemolytic anaemia,
- erythema multiforme (after antibiotics you get red raised lesions all over the body)
How does klebsiella gram stain?
gram -ce rod
Who is klebsiella pneumonia seen in?
Immunocompromised pts: you get an upper lobe cavitating pneumonia and a ‘redcurrant’ sputum.
What is seen on CXR for Klebsiella pneumonia?
Consolidation with a discrete area of low attenuation with an air-filled level within it (cavity).
How do you manage an empyema?
Insert chest drain via USS guidance.
What is the most common cause of epiglottitis?
Haemophilus influenza