Respiratory Medicine Flashcards
(138 cards)
What are some of iatrogenic causes of a pneumothorax?
Pleural Effusion Treatment
Pacemaker Insertion
Central Line Insertion (Subclavian Vein)
Ventilation (ICU)
How do you know whether a pneumothorax is small or large?
2cm + on CXR = LARGE
Risk Factors for spontaneous pneumothorax?
Tall, athletic young man
Drug Use (cannabis/heroin)
Smoking
COPD/Asthma
Sub-pleural blebs
Pulmonary Fibrosis
CF/Bronchiectasis
HIV
TB
Smoking
Marfans/Ehlers-Danlos (other connective disorder issues)
What is the management cascade for a pneumothorax?
1) Observe + give high flow o2
2) Needle Aspiration
3) Chest Drain
4) Chest Drain + Suction
5) Surgical Intervention
Where do you insert a needle aspiration for a pneumothorax?
2nd Intercostal Space Midclavicular Line
Where do you insert a chest drain for a pneumothorax? How can you tell if it’s working? What could cause it to stop working?
Triangle of Safety Borders:
Midaxillary line (lat dorsi)
Anterior axillary line (pec major)
5th ICS (inferior nipple line)
Insert above rib to avoid neurovascular bundle under rib
Swinging/Bubbling of the water
Incorrect position of tube
Blocked/Kinked tube
What are some complications of chest drains?
Air leaks (bubbling of fluid on coughing)
Surgical Emphysema (air under subcutaneous tissue)
What piece of advice should you give to prevent further pneumothorax?
SMOKING CESSATION
Avoid flying/diving
What are indications for surgical referral for pneumothorax?
2nd ipsilateral pneumothorax
1st contralateral pneumothorax
Bilateral spontaneous pneumothorax
Persistant Air Leak
Tension Pneumothorax
Pregnancy
Divers/Pilots/Military
What 5 things should you give for a COPD exacerbation?
1) O2
2) Abx
3) Nebulised Salbutamol
4) Nebulised Ipiatropium
5) Prednisolone
How do you know if it’s a bullae rupture or pneumothorax?
CT will differentiate
CXR - bulla will appear more bottom zone and look like it has a meniscus
What is a hydro-pneumothorax?What would it look like on CXR?
Air and fluid in pleural cavity
(CXR - horizontal line with pleural effusion at bottom and loss of lung markings higher)
What is Boerhave’s syndrome and how does it present?
Oesophageal tear from aggressive wretching/vomiting)
Leads to mediastinitis or surgical emphysema
Food debris will be coming out of chest drain
DEADLY
What is pneumomediastinum? How does it present?
Air in the mediastinum
Severe Chest pain/SOB
On auscultation hear a crunching sound with every heart beat
Usually presents with surgical emphysema
Nasal sound to voice
Diagnose on CXR
What is a trapped lung?
The inability of the lung to expand and fill the thoracic cavity
A patient presents with a cough, what other details do we need to know?
Dry or Productive?
Triggers?
Associated fever or chest pain?
Travel Hx?
Any relatives have it too?
SOB?
What are some common causes of cough that need to be investigated further?
Pneumonia
TB
Lung Cancer
GORD
Asthma
What drugs can cause a cough?
ACEi (build up of bradykinin)
(Ramipril, Lisinopril)
What investigations should you put in place for a patient presenting with a cough?
CXR
Bloods inc CRP
Sputum Culture if productive
Lung Function Test
Urinary pneumococcal/Legionella
What is idiopathic cough and when can this be diagnosed?
When you have ruled out every other cause of cough
A cough with no clear cause
What is the CURB-65?
Confusion
Urea (7+)
Respiratory Rate (+30)
Blood pressure (<90/60)
65
+2 = hospital admission
+3 = ICU
Use with clinical judgement though
What are the common pathogens associated with CAP (Community Acquired Pneumonia)? How do you treat it?
Streptococcus Pneumoniae
Haemophilus Influenza
Staphylococcus Aureus
Amoxicillin/Co-amoxiclav
Doxycycline
Clarithromycin
i.v. abx if ill
What are the atypical organisms that cause pneumonia and when should be considered?
Klebsiella (alcoholics)
Staph aureus (post flu or i.v. drug users)
Mycoplasma pneumoniae (rash and neurological signs)
Pseudomonas (CF/Bronchiectasis)
Viral (COVID/influenzae)
Chlamydia psittaci (infected birds)
Legionella pneumophila (infected air con/water - travel history?)
How do you treat atypical pneumonia? (x3)
Penicillin ineffective
Clarithromycin
Doxycycline (chlamydia)
Metronidazole (anaerobes - aspiration)