Respiratory Flashcards
what is alpha 1 antitrypsin deficiency ?
an autosomal recessive/co-dominant disease caused by lack of protease inhibitor usually produced by the lungs
patients usually have the PiZZ genotype
how is secondary pneumothorax managed?
if patient is >50 years old and air rim >2cm = chest drain
if air rim 1-2cm then aspirate, and if this fails then chest drain
if air rim < 1 cm then oxygen and 24 hour monitoring in hospital
what are the symptoms/signs of Cor Pulmonale?
peripheral oedema, raised JVP, loud P2, parasternal heave (RV), dyspnoea, fatigue, tachycardia, cyanosis, hepatosplenomegaly
what is Kartageners syndrome?
also known as primary ciliary diskenisia
dyenin arm defect results in imotile cilia
what are the paraneoplastic features of lung adenocarcinoma??
HPOA
gynaecomastia
how is latent Tb treated?
3 month Isoniazid and rifampacin
or
6 month isoniazid
what are the features of ABPA?
bronchiectasis (permanently enlarged, mucus filled airways)
bronchoconstriction - cough, wheeze, dyspnoea
presentation of peripheral tingling, prominent dizziness and light headedness is associated with what?
dysfunctional breathing
e.g. hyperventilation
which lung fibrosis mainly affects the lower zones?
idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis
asbestosis
drugs - methotrexate. amiodarone, bleomycin
most connective tissue disorders ( Except ankylosing spondylitis)
how is Cor pulmonale managed?
loop diuretic (furosemide) long term oxygen
how do we manage COPD?
1) smoking cessation etc
2) SAMA (e.g. ipratropium) or SABA (e.g. sabutamol, fenoterol)
3) if FEV1 <50% then give a LAMA (tiotropium) or a LABA (salmeterol) with ICS (combo inhaler)
4) if FEV1 >50% then give a LAMA or a LABA
5) if problems continue - add medication so that the patient is prescribed a LAMA, LABA and ICS
oral theophyline can be considered if none of the above work
mucolytics may be offered in chronic, sputum production and cough
what are causes for respiratory alkalosis?
hyperventilation - anxiety pulmonary embolism altitude pregnancy CNS disorders - stroke, encephalitis, subarachnoid haemorrhage
what is ABPA?
allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis
results from an allergy of aspergillus spores
what are the features of a life-threatening asthma attack?
PEFR <35% Oxygen sats <92% silent chest, cyanosed, weak resp effort bradycardia, hypotension, dysrhythmia, exhaustion, confusion, coma
when do you make a 2 week referral for lung cancer?
- cxr findings which suggest lung cancer
2. over 40 with unexplained haemoptysis
what is type 2 resp failure?
there is hypoxia as well as hypercapnia. this leads to acidosis. there is attempts at metabolic compensation with raised bicarbonate
where is emphysema more prominent in COPD?
upper lobes
how is emphysema defined histologically?
increased air spaces distal to the terminal bronchioles with destruction of the alveolar walls
how many lung cancer cases are small cell LC?
15%
how do asthma patients present?
intermittent wheeze, dyspnoea, cough, sputum
often nocturnal
brought on by precipitants e.g. cold weather, exercise, emotion, infection, allergens, NSAIDs, beta blockers
diurnal variation - marked decrease in the morning
disturbed sleep
acid reflux
other atopic traits - eczema, hayfever
what are the features of klebsiella pneumonia?
more common in alcoholics and diabetics sputum like red current jelly common with aspiration affects upper lobes commonly causes lung abscess and empyema
what factors may improve survival in COPD patients?
Smoking cessation - most important
long term oxygen therapy
lung volume reduction surgery
when is long term oxygen therapy indicated?
PaO2 <7.3 on air - (proved by 2 arterial blood gases)
PaO2 < 8 on air with evidence of Cor Pulmonale (peripheral oedema, pulmonary hypertension), secondary polycythaemia, nocturnal hypoxaemia
what are the features of A1AD?
panacinar emphysema - most marked in lower lung lobes
liver: cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma, cholestasis in children
what are the features of katargeners syndrome?
subfertility
dextrocardia or complete situs inversus
bronchiectasis
recurrent sinusitis
what is Lambert Eaton syndrome?
a rare autoimmune disease, in which antibodies are formed against presynaptic calcium channels of neuromuscular junctions
it causes weakness to muscles, mainly to lower limb muscles.
weakness subsides with exertion and
when should a chest tube be placed to drain pleural fluid?
- if the pleural fluid is cloudy/turbid or purulent
2. if the pleural fluid has a pH <7.2 in a patient with a suspected infection
what is the pathophysiology of emphysema?
inflammatory response leads to elastin breakdown and so loss of integrity of the alveoli
what are the paraneoplastic features of small cell lung cancer?
ADH secretion - causing hyponatraemia
ACTH secretion - causing hyperaldosteronism
Lambert- eaton syndrome (autoimmune muscle condition - causing weakness)
how is obstructive sleep apnoea treated?
weight loss
CPAP
intra oral devices if CPAP is not tolerated
what are causes for raised TLCO?
asthma male, hyperkinetic state exercise polycythaemia left to right cardiac shunts pulmonary haemorrhage (goodpastures, wegners)
what are Anti-Yo antibodies?
associated with breast cancer
can produce nystagmus by attacking neurones
how is moderate risk pneumonia treated?
dual antibiotics = amoxicillin and a macrolide
7-10 day course
how does HPOA present?
a paraneoplastic feature of lung cancer
it involves excess bone deposition = causing pain in wrist and ankle
what are causes for a transudate pleural effusion?
heart failure
hypoalbuminaemia
hypothyroidism
meigs syndrome
what is COPD?
a progressive disorder characterised by airway obstruction with little or no reversibility
it includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis
what are causes of ARDS?
acute pancreatitis sepsis trauma direct lung injury long bone fracture/break (fat emboli) head injury
what advice should you give a patient with pneumonia in regards to feeling better?
week 1 - fever ends week 4 - sputum and chest pain finish week 6 - cough and SOB finish month 3 - almost all symptoms resolved,except for tiredness month 6 - back to normal
what are findings on a COPD CXR?
hyperinflation, flat hemidiaphragms, bullae,large central pulmonary arteries, decreased peripheral markings
what respiratory problems are seen in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?
pulmonary fibrosis pleural effusion infection drug interaction = methotrexate pneumonitis Caplans syndrome pleurisy pulmonary nodules bronchiolitis obliterans
what are the diagnostic criteria for COPD?
FEV1/FVC <70% with symptoms of COPD
what is the relationship between mesothelioma and asbestos exposure?
90% of mesothelioma patients had previous exposure to asbestos, but only 20% have pulmonary asbestosis
what is atelectasis?
a complication post surgery where basal alveoli collpase due to secretions blocking the bronchial airways.
how are COPD exacerbations treated?
Oxygen therapy to maintain sats at 92% nebulised SABA high dose corticosteroids antibiotics if purulent reassess in 1 hour - if continued respiratory acidosis then consider: IV bronchodilator ICU opinion Ventilation
how is idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis managed?
poor prognosis (3/4 year)
pulmonary rehabilitation
oxygen therapy and lung transplant
antifibrotic medication may help in some patients e.g. pirfenidone
what are contraindications for surgery for NSC lung cancer surgery?
malignant pleural effusion vocal cord paralysis superior vena cava obstruction grade 3b or 4 disease general health FEV1 < 1.5 L tumour near hilum
when should antibiotics be prescribed?
IF the patient is... systemically unwell at risk of complications pre-disposing mortalities >65 with 3 symptoms or >80 with 2 symptoms hospitalisation within past year diabetes 1 or 2 use of oral glucocorticoids history of CHF
what are causes for a exudate pleural effusion?
infection - pneumonia, Tb connective tissue disease pulmonary embolism Dresslers syndrome neoplasia pancreatitis
what is the pathophysiology of COPD?
smoking leads to inflammation
inflammatory response caused goblet cell hyperplasia and increased activity
bronchoconstriction - airway narrowing
alveoli destruction
what are the hallmarks of COPD?
sputum production
chronic cough
Breathlessness
how is miliary Tb spread?
through the pulmonary venous system
what are features of pulmonary oedema on a CXR?
interstitial oedema bat wings appearance kerly B lines pleural effusion cariomegaly if cardiogenic source upper lobe diversion of blood
how is active Tb treated?
rifampicin or isoniazid - either can be used, 2 month intense and then 4 months continuation
or
pyrazinamide or ethambutal - can either be used 2 months intensively
an asthma patient presents with 5 days of coughing and wheezing, what do you do?
5 day course of prednisolone for all asthma exacerbations
what does poorly controlled asthma look like?
more variation between trough and peak levels = poor control
taking time off work
hospital admittance
night symptoms
tell me about varenicline?
a nicotine receptor agonist
should be started a week before the desired ‘stop smoking’ day and continued for 12 weeks
common side effect = nausea. others include insomnia, headaches, abnormal dreams
contraindicated in pregnancy and breast feeding
caution in self harm and depression
when should invasive ventilation be considered?
if pH <7.25
what is the classic CXR finding in pneumonia?
consolidation
what investigations should you do if COPD exacerbation is suspected?
CXR, ECG, ABGs, FBC, U&Es, CRP,
sputum culture if purulent
how is suspected asthma diagnosed?
fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FENO) test - >40 is consider positive in adults and >35 in children
spirometry/bronchodilator reversibility test FEV1/FVC < 70% and an increase in 12% of FEV1 and by 200ml
how do we classify COPD (GOLD criteria)
1) MILD >80% predicted
2) MODERATE 50% - 80% predicted
3) SEVERE 30-50% predicted
4) VERY SEVERE <30% predicted
how is an acute asthma attack managed?
oxygen high flow
salbutamol nebulised (and ipratropium if life-threatening)
IV hydrocortisone or PO prednislone
repeat salbutamol if PEF remains <75%
consider magnesium sulphate if life threatening and no good response
if not improving refer to ICU.
if improving, continue rounds of salbutamol and give prednisolone for 5-7days
what is a transudate and exudate?
transudate is fluid which leaves the capillaries because of either decreased protein or increased hydrostatic pressure. it contains little protein
exudate is fluid which leaks through inflamed capillaries, with lots of protein
what are the symptoms of a mesothelioma?
cancer of the pleura
symptoms = CP, dyspnoea, recurrent pleural effusions, finger clubbing, signs of metastasis, weight loss
what vaccinations should we offer COPD patients?
once off pneumococcal vaccine
annual influenza vaccine
how is a pleural aspiration performed?
under ultrasound guidance to avoid complications
21G needle and 50ml syringe should be used
fluid should be sent off for pH, lactam dehydrogenase, microbiology, protein, cytology
how can Tb present?
it can affect any organ in the body
general systemic symptoms
lung infection = haemoptysis, pleurisy, aspergilloma, cough, pleural effusion
tuberculous lymphadenitis - swollen carvical or supraclavicular nodes
Miliary Tb - foci of granulomatous tissue throughout lung parenchyma. dissemination can be throughout the body - to meninges, CNS. foci of infection in brain and spinal cord - can lead to symptoms of meningitis, headache, seizures,, confusion, focal neurological deficits (granulomas formed)
Genitourinary and cardiac symptoms
skin - lupus vulgaris
when are steroids indicated in sarcoidosis treatment?
parenchymal lung disease,
eye, heart or neuro involvement
hypercalcaemia
what are oxygen recommendations for patients who are critically ill?
15L/min via a reservoir mask