Respiratory Signs and Symptoms Flashcards
State six common respiratory signs and symptoms
- Breathlessness
- Cough
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Haemoptysis
- Sputum
State five chronic causes (within months / years) of breathlessness
- Emphysema
- Chronic Bronchitis
- Pneumoconiosis
- Interstitial Lung Disease
- Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
State five causes of sudden onset (within minutes) breathlessness
- Foreign body
- Pulmonary oedema
- Pulmonary embolism
- Analphylaxis
- Pneumothorax
State three causes of rapid onset (within hours) breathlessness
- Asthma
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary oedema
What is an explanation for sputum having a yellow / green tinge?
Myeloperoxidase from neutrophils and eosinophils
What is an explanation for sputum having a putrid taste / odour?
Anaerobic infections i.e. abscess
What is an explanation for large volumes of sputum being coughed up? Give 2 causes
Failed mucus clearance i.e. in Bronchiectasis or Bronchoalveolar carcinomas
Give 6 causes for Haemoptysis (coughing up blood)
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary oedema
- Bronchiectasis
- Tuberculosis
- Lung cancer
- Pneumonia
What does sputum look like in patients with Pulmonary oedema?
Pink and frothy
What does sputum look like in patients with Pneumonia?
Rusty sputum
What medication can cause patients to have a chronic cough?
ACE Inhibitors
Why do ACE Inhibitors cause coughs?
Prevent breakdown of Bradykinins
Why does Pleuritic chest pain always affect the Parietal pleura and not the Visceral?
No pain receptors in the lungs / visceral pleura
Give 2 examples of conditions which may cause a Wheeze
Asthma
COPD
Why do Wheezes occur?
Some form of the respiratory tree is obstructed
For central cyanosis, oxygen saturation must be what %?
Below 80%
What is Asterexis? What is it caused by in a respiratory pathology?
Flapping tremor, can be caused by CO2 retention
Why might Intercostal indrawing occur?
Visualised in patients with reduced air pressure in lungs, and helps generation of a bigger intrathoracic pressure
Pursed lip breathing is seen in COPD patients because…?
Helps generate a positive end expiratory pressure (PEEP)
Position of the trachea is used to assess what?
Mediastinal shift
