Respiratory Disease And Pulmonary Function Assessment

Question 1

Describe the clinical characteristics of asthma?

Answer 1

Symptoms variable and only when triggered; shortness of breath, chest tightness and cough
Airway hyperresponsiveness to a trigger
Airway narrowing reversible to inhaler

Question 2

Describe the clinical characteristics of COPD?

Answer 2

Airway inflammation
Permanent airflow obstruction (less reversibility to inhaler medication)
Determination in lung function over time
Persistent symptoms (wheeze, cough, shortness of breath)

Question 3

Describe the differences between asthma and COPD?

Answer 3

Asthma - early onset with intermittent symptoms
COPD - late onset with persistent symptoms
Asthma - good response to inhaler therapy
COPD - poor response to inhale therapy
Asthma associated with allergy
COPD associated with smoking

Question 4

What is Spirometry and what is its use in a clinical setting?

Answer 4

It is a method of assessing lung function by measuring the value of air a patient can expel from their lungs after maximal inspiration
Its used as a screening procedures for lung disease
It can be used to differentiate between obstructive and restrictive

Question 5

What is tidal volume?
What is inspiratory reserve volume?
Expiratory reserve volume
Residual volume
Vital capacity

Answer 5

Breathing at rest
Breathing all the way in
Breathing all the way out
Amount of air left in the lungs after max expiration
Maximum amount of air we can breath out after maximal inspiration

Question 6

Describe a normal flow loop

Answer 6

FEV1 and FVC above 80%

FEV1/FVC ration above 70%

Question 7

Describe an obstructive flow loop

Answer 7

FEV1 below 80%
FEV1/FVC below 70%
FVC normal

Question 8

Describe a restrictive flow loop

Answer 8

FVC below 80%

FEV1 and ratio normal

Question 9

Give an example of an obstructive lung disease and what it affects

Answer 9

Asthma and flow rate

Question 10

What are the triggers of asthma and their categories?

Answer 10

Atopic - allergen, pollen, mould, house dust, animal hair
Non - atopic - cold air, exercise, smoking, infections, medications
Genetic - ADAM33

Question 11

Describe the pathology of asthma?

Answer 11

Inhalation of an allergen results in a release of w.b.c and an immune response
Inflammatory mediators released cause smooth muscle cells to tighten
Hypersecretion of mucus and swelling bronchial membranes
Causing narrow breathing passages

Question 12

Describe a gas transfer test

Answer 12

Breathe in a small amount of CO
It indicates whether there is a transfer issue and not an airway issue indicating COPD
CO used as high infinity to harm in r.b.c and O2 is used by the working muscle

Question 13

COPD encompasses what 3 diseases?

Answer 13

Emphysema - destruction of alveoli
Chronic bronchitis - inflammation of airway
Chronic asthma

Question 14

Describe COPD

Answer 14

Exposed to environmental pollutant
Damage to epithelial cells of airway
w.b.c release T cells, monocytes and fibroblasts
Causes fibrosis - impaired gas transfer, destruction of alveolar wall, chronic mucus secretion

Question 15

Name a restrictive lung disease and what does it affect?

Answer 15

Pulmonary fibrosis and volume

Question 16

Describe the pathophysiology of restrictive lung diseases

Answer 16

Lung tissue scarred and accumulation of excess fibrous connective tissues
Lung tissue becomes stiff and non-compliant - restricted physiology and diffusion abnormality
Abnormal lung mechanics and decrease in vital capacity