Respiratory conditions

Question 1

Recurrent chest infections + subfertility

Answer 1

Recurrent chest infections + subfertility - think primary ciliary dyskinesia syndrome (Kartagener’s syndrome)

Question 3

Before starting treatment for TB, what examination should a patient be assessed for?

Answer 3

visual acuity
tuberculosis will need treatment with rifampicin, isoniazid, pyrazinamide and ethambutol.
ethambutol can cause optic neuritis so visual acuity should be assessed

Question 4

most common histological subtype in lung cancer cases in non-smokers

Answer 4

non-small cell lung cancer
adenocarcinoma

Question 5

drugs causing lung fibrosis

Answer 5

• amiodarone
• cytotoxic agents: busulphan, bleomycin
• anti-rheumatoid drugs: methotrexate, sulfasalazine
• nitrofurantoin
• ergot-derived dopamine receptor agonists (bromocriptine, cabergoline, pergolide)

Question 6

IPF spirometry results

Answer 6

spirometry: classically a restrictive picture (FEV1 normal/decreased, FVC decreased, FEV1/FVC increased)

Question 7

Antibiotic for legionella infection

Answer 7

Macrolides such as clarithromycin are used to treat Legionella

Question 8

blood results in lung cancer results

Answer 8

Raised platelets can be an indicator of lung cancer

Question 9

Pleural plaques mamagement

Answer 9

Pleural plaques are benign and do not undergo malignant change. They, therefore don’t require any follow-up.

Question 10

sarcoidosis may cause which biochemical abnormality

Answer 10

Sarcoidosis may cause hypercalcaemia

Question 11

Optic neuritis is common in patients taking which TB treatment?

Answer 11

Optic neuritis is common in patients taking ethambutol