Respiratory Diseases and Disorders Flashcards
What are the etiologies of a common cold (or an upper respiratory infection)?
rhinovirus out of about 200 rhinoviruses may be transmitted via respiratory droplets
What are the clinical features of a common cold (or an upper respiratory infection)?
S/S:
- sore throat, nasal congestion or discharge, coughing, headache, low-grade fever
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- signs and symptoms present
- sputum and nasal discharge cultures rule out more serious conditions
What’s the treatment and prognosis of a common cold (or upper respiratory infection)?
TREATMENT:
- cough suppressants, antihistamines, decongestants, expectorants
PROGNOSIS:
- incidence and complications higher in immunocompromised groups
What are the predisposing factors and etiologies of sinusitis?
PREDISPOSING FACTORS:
- deviated septum/nasal polyps, common cold, allergies, regular swimming
ETIOLOGIES:
- viral, fungal, or (more commonly) bacterial infection of sinuses
What are the clinical features of sinusitis?
S/S:
- pain in frontal/maxillary/ethmoid sinuses, purulent discharge, fever
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- sinus radiography may reveal fluid-filled areas
- discharge culture may identify or rule out bacterial pathogens
What’s the treatment and prognosis of sinusitis?
TREATMENT:
- corticosteroids, antihistamines, decongestants, antibiotics if bacterial
- possible sinusotomy
PROGNOSIS:
- generally good if acute
What are the etiologies of pharyngitis?
hypersensitivity, irritating agents, viral infections, sexually transmitted bacteria -> inflammation of pharynx
What are the clinical features of pharyngitis?
S/S:
- sore throat, fever, dysphonia, dysphagia, cervical lymphadenopathy
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- physical examination reveals red and swollen pharynx
What’s the treatment and prognosis of pharygnitis?
TREATMENT:
- antiinflammatory drugs, antibiotics (if bacterial)
- surgical resection of tonsils or adenoid gland if chronic
PROGNOSIS:
- may respond well to treatment
- possible complication of peritonsillar abscess
What are the etiologies of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
high-salt diets, EBV infection -> epithelial malignancy in nasopharyngeal cavity
*unique in that it’s not strongly linked to tobacco use
What are the clinical features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
S/S:
- nasal obstruction with epistaxis, otitis media, and neck mass
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- biopsy reveals histology
- MRI, CT, and PET may reveal size and metastasis
What’s the treatment and prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma?
TREATMENT:
- radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy
PROGNOSIS:
- because NPC is usually asymptomatic until later stages, prognosis usually bad during diagnosis
What are the etiologies of laryngitis?
viral/bacterial/fungal URI, irritating agents, using voice too much -> inflammation of larynx and vocal cords
What are the clinical features of laryngitis?
S/S:
- aphonia, sore throat, dysphagia, fever, malaise
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- laryngoscopy reveals inflammation
What’s the treatment and prognosis of laryngitis?
TREATMENT:
- reduce causative factors, possible corticosteroids, possible antibiotics if bacterial
PROGNOSIS:
- generally good
What are the etiologies of a deviated septum?
congenital defect or getting punched in the face -> crooked nasal septum
What are the clinical features of a deviated septum?
S/S:
- mild breathing problems
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- nasal speculum may reveal crooked nasal septum
What’s the treatment and prognosis of a deviated septum?
TREATMENT:
- rhinoplasty or septoplasty
PROGNOSIS:
- fairly good
What are the etiologies of nasal polyps?
allergic rhinitis -> overproduction of fluid in nasal mucosal epithelium -> benign polyp
What are the clinical features of nasal polyps?
S/S:
- anosmia, mild breathing difficulties, possible sinus pain
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- nasal speculum reveals polyps
What’s the treatment and prognosis of nasal polyps?
TREATMENT:
- surgical resection, possible rhinoplasty
PROGNOSIS:
- generally good, but likely to recur
What are the etiologies of anosmia?
intracranial tumor, olfactory nerve damage, nasal polyps, allergic rhinitis -> loss of smell with impaired taste
What’s the treatment and prognosis of anosmia?
TREATMENT:
- remove nasal polyps
- desensitization therapy (if allergic rhinitis)
PROGNOSIS:
- if neurogenic, probably lifelong
What are the etiologies of epistaxis?
URIs, sinusitis, direct trauma, hypertension, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy -> nosebleed
What’s the treatment and prognosis of epistaxis?
TREATMENT:
- apply pressure, rhino rocket, cauterization, sclerosing therapy, possible ligation
PROGNOSIS:
- generally good
What are the etiologies of benign laryngeal tumors?
using voice too much, acid reflux, and tobacco use -> papilloma and polyp of larynx
What are the clinical features of benign laryngeal tumors?
S/S:
- dysphonia, possible stridor
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- laryngoscopy reveals polyp or papilloma
- biopsy reveals histology
What’s the treatment and prognosis of benign laryngeal tumors?
TREATMENT:
- surgical excision of polyp/papilloma
PROGNOSIS:
- varies if benign or malignant
What are the etiologies of laryngeal cancer?
chronic alcohol or tobacco use, HPV infection, asbestos, being >60 years old -> squamous cell carcinoma of larynx
What are the clinical features of laryngeal cancer?
S/S:
- hoarseness, dysphagia, cough, referred ear pain, stridor
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- fiberoptic endoscopy and panendoscopy reveals tumors
- biopsy reveals histology
What’s the treatment and prognosis of laryngeal cancer?
TREATMENT:
- partial laryngectomy or total laryngectomy (impairs speech and swallowing) or chemoradiation therapy
PROGNOSIS:
- best if diagnosed early, but other primary cancers likely to develop due to alcohol/tobacco use
What are the etiologies of hemoptysis?
trauma, tumors, congestive heart failure, coagulopathy, inflammatory conditions, and infections -> spitting up bloody sputum
What are the clinical features of hemoptysis?
S/S:
- spitting or coughing up bloody sputum
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- rhinoscopy, endoscopy, and pulmonary angiography can help reveal source of bleeding
- coagulation studies may suggest decreased clotting factors (if coagulopathy)
What’s the treatment and prognosis of hemoptysis?
TREATMENT:
- antibiotics and cough suppressants if minor
- ligation of involved vessels if severe
PROGNOSIS
- in 75% of cases, hemoptysis usually doesn’t indicate severe disease
What are the etiologies of atelectasis?
mucous plug, foreign body, or tumor -> obstruction of bronchial tree
tumor compresses lungs -> lungs unable to expand fully (compressive)
inflammation leads to increased intrapleural fluid -> lung unable to expand fully (pleural effusion)
What are the clinical features of atelectasis?
S/S:
- dyspnea, possible cyanosis, substernal retraction
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- auscultation reveals diminished breathing
- chest radiography reveals mediastinal shift towards collapse
- bronchoscopy may identify foreign object if obstructive
What’s the treatment and prognosis for atelectasis?
TREATMENT:
- airway suctioning (if obstructive)
- antibiotics and surgical drainage (if pleural effusion)
- analgesics for chest pain
PROGNOSIS:
- complications may include pneumonia
What are the etiologies of a pulmonary embolism?
thrombi, air, fat globules, tissue clumps, or bacterial clusters moves to right heart -> occlusion of pulmonary artery
What are the clinical features of a pulmonary embolism?
S/S:
-dyspnea, chest pain, possible tachypnea, possible cyanosis and shock
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- CT angiography reveals poor pulmonary circulation
- Echocardiogram may reveal impaired right-sided heart and pulmonary artery function
- Auscultation reveals pleural rub and rales
What’s the treatment and prognosis of a pulmonary embolism?
TREATMENT:
- oxygen therapy, anticoagulants
- compression stockings may prevent thrombi
PROGNOSIS:
- generally good if mild, but high mortality rate with massive PE
What are the etiologies of pneumonia?
- (if bacterial): staphylococci, group A hemolytic streptococci, pneumococci, Haemophilus influenza, Klebsiella pneumoniae
- (if atypical): chlamydia, legionella, mycoplasma
- (if viral): adenoviruses, influenza type A/B, respiratory syncytial viruses
- > general inflammation of lungs
What are the clinical features of pneumonia?
S/S:
- fever, cough, dyspnea, cyanosis, bloody sputum, chest pains, tachypnea
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- chest radiography reveals dense opaque area
- sputum and blood cultures can be positive for suspected pathogens
What’s the treatment and prognosis of pneumonia?
TREATMENT:
- antibiotics, antivirals, and antifungals if bacterial, viral, or fungal
- analgesics and oxygen therapy
PROGNOSIS:
- usually good in healthy individuals, but higher mortality rates are seen in chronically ill groups
What are the etiologies of a pulmonary abscess?
bacterial pneumonia, aspiration pneumonia, or septic emboli -> pus cell forms in lungs
What are the clinical features of a pulmonary abscess?
S/S:
- alternating chills and fever, chest pain, cough, bloody/purulent sputum
DIAGNOSTIC TESTS:
- chest radiography reveals abscess
- blood and sputum cultures may identify causative bacteria
What’s the treatment and prognosis of a pulmonary abscess?
TREATMENT:
- antibiotics and resection of abscess
PROGNOSIS:
- good in healthy individuals, but high mortality rates seen in chronically-ill groups