Respiratory Conditions Flashcards
What is the most common cause of Croup, and what is the most common age?
Parainfluenza Virus
6months- 3 years
What are the main symptoms of croup?
- Starts with Croyzal Symptoms
- Barking cough (worst at night)
- Stridor
What score is used to classify Croup and what is the appropreate managment based on that?
Westley Score
* Mild: 0-2–> Oral Dex and discharge
* Moderate: 3-7–> Admission and oral Dex
* Severe: 8-11–> Admit+ Dex+ Adrenaline
* Impending Resp Failure (RR<70)–> Admit+Dex+Adrenaline
When do you consider admission on a patient with Croup?
<3 months old
RR<70
Toxic looking
Other co-morbid condition
What are the main differences between Croup and Epiglotitis?
What is the causative organism of Epiglotitis?
What is the most common age?
Haemophilus Influenza B (HiB)
1-6 years of Age
What is the typical presentation of Epiglotitis?
- Difficulty Breathing (Stridor)
- Droozling (painful to swallow)
- Tripod position: leaning forward
- High Fever (toxic looking child)
Medical Emergency
What is the appropriate Managment of Epiglotitis?
- Do not examine oral cavity, call for anaesthitist
-
Refer to Peadiatrics
3.** Blood Cultures** - Emprical Antibiotics(cefuroxime) + Dexa
- Provide antibiotics for household members as well (Rifampicin)
This is an emergency scenario
What is the most common cause of Bronchiolitis?
What is the most coomon age?
RSV (Respiratory syncytial virus)
1 month to 9 months
What is the presentation of Bronchiolitis and how to differentiate from other infections (CROUP)?
- Pre-existing cryozal symptoms
- SoB
- Grunting
- Cough
- Hyperinflation/ Subcostal/intercostal recessions
How to differentiate: Auscultation
- bi-basal end inspiratory crackles
- Stridor (expiration> inspiration)
What is the appropriate managment of Bronciolitis?
- if infant <3months then admission to hospital
- Supportive managment of oxygen and hydration (NG fluids/feeds)
- if infant is pre-term or high risk (immunosupressed, congenital abnormility) then give monoclonal RSV antibodies (PALIVIZUMAB)
Would you give Salbutamol to an infant <6 months?
<6m old = no beta receptors in lungs so salbutamol won’t work – would give it if over 1yo
What are the signs and Symptoms of asthma (history and examination)
- Wheeze end-expiratory, polyphonic
- Cough
- SoB
- Chest Pain
Symptoms are worse at night/ morning
Personal or Fmx of Atopy
Not triggered by viral cause
How does one diagnose Asthma, what are the appropriate investigations?
<5 years old: clinical diagnosis
>5 years old: Spirometry, Peak flow, bronchodialator response, FeNO tetsting
What is the managment of Asthma in children in an Outpatient Setting?
(1) SABA :
Salbutamol PRN (consider stepping up when using inhaler ≥3x a week)
* Can use a spacer if young or difficulty using
Acute dose = 1 puff per 30-60s (≤10 puffs) – 5 tidal breaths / puff
Normal dose = do not exceed 4-hourly puffs (i.e. 4 puffs a day)
(2) ICS: Low dose inhaled corticosteroid
E.G. Becotide (BECLOMETASONE DIPROPIONATE)
(3) **2-16yo LTRA ** Leukotriene Receptor Antagonist (Oral Montelukast),
review 4-8w
* 5-16yo; if fail on review, switch LTRA to LABA
* <5yo; if fail on review, stop LTRA and refer to **specialist **
(4)** ICS increased dose** Larger dose ICS; consider reducing dose once asthma controlled
E.G. Flixotide (FLUTICASONE PROPRIONATE)
(5)** Oral steroid ** Lowest dose to maintain control (prednisolone), managed by specialist
Used in any severity exacerbation of asthma for 3-5 days
What is the appropriate management of Asthma in a hospital setting?
Admit those of SEVERE or LIFE-THREATENING classification
-
Burst step (if wheezy and hx of atopy) – give all the below: +** O2 therapy** (maintain SpO2 >92%)
3x salbutamol nebs (or up to 10 inhales on a pump) SE (of too much) = shivering, vomiting
2x ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) nebulisers
1x oral Prednisolone (benefit after 4-6h) – ONLY USED IN ASTHMA (general hypoxia does not use this)
Involve seniors after burst therapy has failed to work
2. IV bolus step – give one of the below:
**1st –> IV bolus MgSO4 **
IV bolus Salbutamol Monitor ECG
IV bolus Aminophylline Monitor ECG, infuse slow (arrhythmias)
If “2<age<5”, consider montelukast
3.** IV infusion step** – give one of the below:
IV Salbutamol
IV Aminophylline
4. Panic step
Intubate and ventilate if classified as life threatening
Transfer to ICU
After patient has stabilised… give salbutamol 1-hourly–> 2-hourly –> 3-hourly –> 4-hourly –> home when…
**Stable on 4-hourly treatment **(can then wean further when at home)
Peak flow at 75% of best predicted
SpO2 >94%
Follow-up within 2 days of discharge / leaving A&E
What medications are contraindicated when on beta-agonist (salbutamol)
Contraindications on beta-agonists / salbutamol:
- Beta blockers
- NSAIDs
- Adenosine
- ACEi
What are the red Flags in a case of Sinusitis?
- Systemic Infection
- Intra or Peri-orbital symptoms (periorbital cellulitis, displaced eyeball, double vision)
- Intracranial Complications (signs of Menengitis)
If these are present then consider reffering to hospital
What is the appropriate managment of Sinusitis?
- Proper Education of patients:
- most likely a virus, it needs to run its course
- Just because something is aleviating a symptoms it does not mean that it is shortenting the course of the illness
Symptoms lasting <10 days:
1. No antibiotic
2. Advice – virus, takes 2-3 weeks to resolve, only 2% get bacterial complication, simple analgesia
* Some people may find some relief using nasal saline or nasal decongestants
* Medical advice if symptoms worsen rapidly, do not improve in 3w, systemically unwell
Symptoms lasting >10 days:
1. High-dose nasal corticosteroid for 14 days (if >12yo; e.g. mometasone)
* May improve symptoms but unlikely to affect duration of illness
* Could cause systemic side-effects
ABx not indicated (as per guidelines) but can give back up prescription
* 1st line: phenoxymethylpenicillin (clarithromycin if penicillin-allergic)
* 2nd line: co-amoxiclav