Respiratory: COPD Flashcards
How many deaths per annum due to COPD?
30,000
What does COPD increase the risk of?
Co-morbidities such as lung cancer and CV disease
What are the direct and indirect costs of COPD in the UK?
Direct: £800m
Indirect: £24m
What can diseases of the lungs cause?
Hypoxia
What ways can diseases of the lungs cause hypoxia?
Airway obstruction
Impaired perfusion of the alveoli
What is COPD?
All diseases where pulmonary tissue causes airflow obstruction inside the lungs
When is diagnosis of COPD usually made?
In the presence of airflow obstruction in >35s who are or were previously smokers.
What are the two main types of COPD?
Bronchitis
Emphysema
What is bronchitis?
An inflammatory condition affecting the airways.
What is acute bronchitis?
Caused by viruses or bacteria and is usually a short-lived infection.
What is chronic bronchitis?
Results from long term infection and lung damage.
Who is chronic bronchitis common in?
Common in the elderly
Who is acute bronchitis common in?
Common in the young and elderly.
List the signs and symptoms of bronchitis.
Productive cough/dispnoea Cyanotic (blue bloaters) Tachycardia / tachypnoea Use of accessory muscles of respiration Reduced SpO2 / wheezes on auscultation 88-92 Pupils dilated / slow to react Normal to high blood pressure Slow Capillary refill / oedema Reduced levels of consciousness in cases of severe hypoxia.
What is dispnoea?
…
What is cyanosis?
When a patients appearance is blue or purple colouration of the skin or mucous membranes due to the tissues near the skin surface having low oxygen.
Obvious sign, blue lips.
What is oedema?
The puffiness around the nail bed/ankles.
What is emphysema?
Distension and destruction of the alveoli and atelectasis takes place.
What is atelectasis?
Lung tissue loses its elasticity and as the airways lose their muscular integrity they collapse.
Why is the chest sometimes barrel shaped (pigeon chest) in emphysema patients?
Due to air being trapped in the lungs by the collapse of air passages.
What are the signs and symptoms of emphysema?
Pursed lips on expiration Barely chested / thin Skin colour is pink (pink puffers) Tachycardia Tachypnoea / dyspnoea Use of accessory muscles of respiration and wheezing. Percussion normally reveals a hollow sound Confusion/anxiety/fear Cardiac dysrhythmias Elevated B.P Evidence of Oedema
What are the features of acute exacerbation of COPD?
Increased dyspnoea Increased sputum Increased cough Upper airway symptoms (cold, sore throat etc) Increased wheeze Chest tightness Reduced exercise tolerance Fluid retention Increased fatigue Acute confusion Worsening of previous stable condition.
Pg 137 jar calc
What are the features of sever exacerbation of COPD?
Marked dyspnoea Tachypnoea Purse lip breathing Use of accessory muscles at rest Acute confusion New onset peripheral oedema Marked reduction in daily living
Name some conditions with similar features to acute COPD.
Asthma Pneumonia Pneumothorax LVF/pulmonary oedema Pulmonary embolus Lung cancer Upper airway obstruction Pleural effusion Recurrent aspiration
