respiratory disease seen in GP

Question 1

what are the most common respiratory diagnoses seen in primary care?

Answer 1

upper and lower respiratory tract infections
asthma + exacerbations 
COPD + exacerbations
lung cancer
bronchiectasis
interstitial lung disease

Question 2

how are upper respiratory tract infections managed ?

Answer 2

present as sinusitis, pharyngitis and tonsilitis
symptoms- snotty, cough etc.
treatment- antibiotics

Question 3

how are lower respiratory tract infections managed?

Answer 3

symptoms- cough, dyspnea, reduced appetite, low energy, haemoptysis (rare)
treatment- sputum sample and antibiotics

Question 4

what is haemoptysis?

Answer 4

coughing up blood

Question 5

how is asthma managed ?

Answer 5

symptoms- wheeze, cough, dyspnea, chest tightness

treatment- inhaled steroids+/-LABA, manage exacerbations and optimisation of treatment

Question 6

how is COPD managed?

Answer 6

symptoms- sputum, wheeze, tightness and dyspnea

treatment- oral steroids+/- antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation, managing, monitoring and end of life planning

Question 7

how is lung cancer managed?

Answer 7

symptoms- cough, haemoptysis, fatigue, malaise, weight loss, hoarseness, nausea and chest pain
urgent referral needed

Question 8

how is bronchiectasis managed?

Answer 8

symptoms- dilated airways, mucus, infections, sputum producing cough
treatment- send multiple samples, chest X-ray, blood tests and referral for CT