Respiratory Flashcards
What PaO2 is indicative of respiratory failure
<8
What is type I respiratory failure
caused by V/Q mismatch, resulting in low PaO2 and normal/low PaCo2
Describe what happens in type I respiratory failure
V/Q mismatch causes there to be not enough oxygen getting into the blood but the lungs’ capacity to excrete CO2 is preserved
What may cause type I respiratory failure
- pneumonia
- asthma
- PE
- pulmonary oedema
What is type II respiratory failure
hypoxia and hypercapnia, with or without V/Q mismatch
What happens in type II respiratory failure
the lungs are not able to ventilate enough to get oxygen into the blood and also are not able to excrete CO2, resulting in acidosis
What are causes of type II respiratory failure
pulmonary causes
- COPD
- pulmonary fibrosis
- asthma
reduced respiratory drive
- CNS trauma
- sedative drugs
neuromuscular
- myasthenic crisis
- paralysis
- obstructive sleep apneoa
What is the most common cause of type II respiratory failure
COPD
What are symptoms of hypoxia
- dyspnoea
- restnessness
- central cyanosis
- confusion
What are symptoms of hypercapnia
- confusion/loss of conscioussness/coma
- peripheral venous dilatation
- CO2 retention flap
What investigations should be done in suspected respiratory failure
- ABG
- Obs (particular sats)
- blood/sputum culture
- CXR
- bedside spirometry testing
What is an extra consideration in the oxygen therapy of type II respiratory failure compared to type I
do not over oxygenate
What is COPD
chronic bronchitis and emphysema causing progressive obstructive lung disease with little or no reversibility
What pattern does COPD have on spirometry?
obstructive
What spirometry result is distinctive of COPD
FEV1/FVC ratio reduced (<0.7)
What are the clinical features of COPD
- dyspnoea
- chronic productive cough
- reduced exercise tolerance
What are some differentials for COPD
- asthma
- bronchiectasis
- CHF
What examination findings might be present in COPD
- central cyanosis
- barrel chest
- use of accessory muscles
- CO2 retention flap
- hyper-resonant lung fields
- wheeze
What are the main complications of COPD
- exacerbations
- respiratory failure
- lung cancer
- cor pulmonale
What investigations should be ordered in COPD
- spirometry
- CXR
- sputum culture
- alpha-1 antitrypsin if suspected
- echo (if cor pulmonale suspected)
What is a possible genetic cause of COPD
alpha1 antitrypsin deficiency
What are possible inhaled therapies for COPD
- SABA
- SAMA
- LABA
- LAMA
- inhaled corticosteroid
Give a SABA name
salbutemol
give a SAMA name
ipratropium
give a LABA name
salmeterol
give a LAMA name
triotropium
What is the common triple inhaler therapy for severe COPD
LABA + LAMA + inhaled corticosteroid
can you prescribe a SAMA with a LAMA
no they do not work in combination
Which inhaler must ICS be presribed with
LABA - and nevere alone
What drug might be presribed for chronic productive cough
carbocisteine - a mucolytic
What investigations should you do in a COPD exacerbation
- Obs
- sputum/blood culture
- ABG
- CXR
- ECG
What management can be given in COPD exacerbations
- Abx
- oral steroids
- nebulised SABA/SAMA
- oxygen therapy/NIV/invasive ventilation
What are the typical symptoms in asthma
- cough
- wheeze
- chest tightness
- breathlessness
What are the three main processes responsible for the majority of symptoms of asthma
- bronchospasm
- smooth muscle atrophy
- mucus plugging
What is characteristically heard on auscultation in asthma
polyphonic wheeze
An asthma attack is severe if ____
patient cannot complete sentences
an asthma attack is life-threatening if ___
the chest is silent
What is found on spirometry in asthma
an obstructive pattern with reversible bronchoconstriction
What is the spirometry test that shows reversibility called
the bronchodilatory reversibility test
What are the main types of pneumonia
- CAP
- HAP
- aspiration
What are the common causative agents of CAP
bacterial
- strep pneumonia
- haemophilus influenzae
- staph A
viral
* influenza A
What are common findings on exam in pneumonia
- reduced chest expansion
- dullness to percussion
- increased vocal fremitus
- crackles and bronchial breathing
all on affected side/lobe
What are common causative agents of HAP
- pseudomonas aeruginosa
* staph aureus
What are symptoms of pneumonia
- dyspnoea
- chest pain
- SOB
- productive cough
- may be non-specific features in elderly or atopic pneumonia