RESPIRATORY Flashcards
(42 cards)
What are the referral symptoms for respiratory ailments?
wheezing/shortness of breath Dry, night-time cough. Barking. Coloured sputum, yellow/green. Blood stained sputum Cough lasting >3 weeks Pain on inspiration Chest pain Drug induced cough/wheeze (ACE-inhibitors) NSAIDS etc.
What are the red flags for respiratory illnesses?
Cough lasting >3 weeks
Chest pain.
What are the three types of cough?
Productive (chesty)
Non-productive (tickly, dry)
Congested (tight, hard cough)
What type of cough occurs when there is mucus present in lungs that cannot be cleared?
Congested
What type of cough occurs when there is sputum produced?
Productive.
How would you treat a congested cough?
Expectorants to remove mucus from chest/airways.
Benylin chesty, Guaifenesin.
How would you treat a non-productive dry irritant cough?
Suppressants such as codeine, pholcodeine, dextromethorphan. Suppress the cough.
How would you treat very young children who cannot take cough suppressants?
Demulcents like simple linctus, honey and lemon.
Codeine containing products are no longer recommended for who?
Codeine containing products are no longer recommended for under 18’s
Lacks evidence for efficacy in this age group
Concerns over its central mode of action and variability in its metabolism to morphine in this age group
What are the referral criteria for a sore throat?
Adverse drug reaction - if an associated skin rash.
Duration.
If patient cannot swallow.
Symptoms which suggest a bacterial infection.
What advice should be given to those suffering from sore throats?
Stimulation of saliva will help sooth the throat/lubricate it.
Gargles have shorter duration of action than lozenges.
Diabetics should only take sugar free lozenges.
Mouthwashes should not be swallowed.
How can sore throats be treated?
Symptomatic relief:
- local anaesthetics
- Benzocaine
- Lidocaine
analgesics etc.
How old must a patient be before they can gargle aspirin?
- Reyes syndrome.
How can a cold be differentiated from influenzae?
Influenza will have: Sudden onset of symptoms Shivers Chills Malaise Marked aching of limbs Insomnia Non-productive cough and loss of appetite.
Patients presenting with suspected colds should be referred if
Facial pain/severe frontal headache Ear pain Patients with symptoms of flu: esp vulnerable groups. Persistent fever Chest pain.
Why are anti-histamines used in the treatment of colds?
Can lessen the symptoms of sneezing and a runny nose/post nasal drip.
Occurs due to anti-cholinergic actions.
What referral symptoms are there for allergic rhinitis?
Wheezing/shortness of breath
Treatment failure
Unilateral discharge - especially in children.
What is first line treatment for allergic rhinitis?
Allergen avoidance. Systemic antihistamines Intranasal corticosteroids Occular mast cell stabilisers Decongestants -systemic and intranasal
What anti-histamines are available for allergic rhinitis?
Sedating ones: chlorphenamine.
non-sedating: loratadine, cetirizine.
For who can intranasal corticosteroids be recommended?
Those over 18 suffering from allergic rhinitis.
What are opticrom allergy eye drops for?
Allergic rhinitis.
Mast cell stabilisers.
What questions should be asked for a child presenting with a cough? [7]
How old are they?
What type of cough? chesty, dry, productive?
Any mucus being produced?
Any fever, aches, loss of appetite, lethargy?
Any treatments tried?
Are they asthmatic?
Is there a wheeze or shortness of breath?
For which patients would a glycerol cough syrup not be recommended?
Diabetic
What type of laxative is first line in pregnancy for constipation treatment?
Bulk forming laxative