Respiratory Emergencies Flashcards
How is hypercapnia defined?
PaCO2 > 45 mmHg
What 2 conditions is BPAP the most effective for? (2 answers)
- CHF
- COPD
A patient presents with sudden onset shortness of breath. On PE you notice absent breath sounds and percussions are hyper-resonant. What is the diagnosis?
Pneumothorax
What is the difference between primary vs. secondary spontaneous pneumothorax?
- primary: young healthy adult
- secondary: old patient with comorbidities
What is the biggest risk factor for pneumothorax?
smoking!
Who should you consult for pneumothorax?
thoracic surgery
A patient presents in respiratory distress with distended neck veins. On PE you notice absent breath sounds. The CXR demonstrates a mediastinal shift. What is the most likely diagnoses?
tension pneumothorax
What are the 3 CXR signs of tension pneumothorax?
- ipsilateral increased intercostal spaces
- contralateral shift of the mediastinum
- depression of the hemidiaphragm
What classifies a small pneumothorax? What is the management for this patient?
- small pneumo = < 3 cm
- give supplemental O2 and repeat CXR in 4-6 hours
What are the 3 indications for a tube thoracostomy for the management of pneumothorax?
- clinically stable and large (>3cm)
- clinically unstable
- secondary spontaneous
What is the treatment for a recurrent pneumothorax?
- pleurodesis
At what location is a tube thoracostomy done?
- 4/5th intercostal space mid to anterior axillary line
What is the immediate treatment for a tension pneumothorax?
- needle decompression with 14g needle
- either location:
- 2/3 intercostal space, midclavicular line, above rib
- 5 intercostal space, midaxillary line, above rib
What are 2 can’t miss diagnoses when a patient has hemoptysis?
- PE
- cancer
What is Virchow’s triad and what does correlate with?
- Hypercoaguability, stasis, endothelial injury
- risk factors for PE
A patient presents with shortness of breath and syncope. Lung sounds are normal. What is the can’t miss diagnosis here?
- pulmonary embolism
What is the most common EKG finding in acute pulmonary embolism?
- sinus tachycardia
What does S1Q3T3 mean?
Deep S wave in Lead I
Deep Q wave in Lead 3
Inverted T wave in Lead 3
associated with PE
What is the ED work up PE?
- PERC
- D-dimer
- (If positive) Chest CTA
Why would you get troponin and NT-proBNP in a patient with PE?
to check if there is any right heart strain
predictor of worse outcome
In a patient with a small PE, who is doing well in no pain and is hemodynamically stable what is the recommended treatment?
- treat as outpatient with direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs)
In what situation would a patient with a PE only be treated with lovenox?
- if they are pregnant
* need to be on it until the end of pregnancy*
In what situation would a patient with a PE only be treated with heparin?
- if patient has renal dysfunction and can’t take lovenox
- OR if the chances of the patient going to surgery is high
*heparin is fast acting and short duration so appropriate if patient is getting a procedure
In what situation would you treat a patient with PE with thrombolysis (tPA)?
- if patient is hemodynamically unstable d/t massive PE (Saddle)
If a patient has a PE and a very high bleeding risk what is the recommended treatment?
surgical embolectomy
What is the second line treatment for PE if a patient has a contraindication for DOACs?
- Coumadin with Lovenox bridge