Respiratory Symptoms

Question 1

Emphysema (COPD)

Answer 1

‘Pink puffers’
Thin, Tachycardia, barrel chest, accessory muscles, tachypnoea, dyspnoea, elevated BP, feet oedema, cyanosis in acute conditions.

Question 2

Acute Bronchitis

Answer 2

Unproductive cough, discomfort behind the sternum, wheeze and shortness of breath, cough can progress to productive

Question 3

Chronic Bronchitis (COPD)

Answer 3

‘Blue bloater’

Productive cough for 3+ months, no shortness of breath until effort is used, accessory muscles, hypoxia, unconscious.

Question 4

Asthma

Answer 4

Moderate: peak flow 50-75%.
Acute/Sever: unable to complete full sentences, rep rate >25 pulse >110, peak flow 35-50%
Life threatening:Exhaustion, confusion, coma, silent chest, cyanosis, feeble respiratory factors, bradycardia, hypotension, peak flow blow 33% SP02 <92%

Question 5

Pneumonia

Answer 5

history of viral infection, high temp 39.5, pleuritic pain, dry cough, rusty sputum, rapid breathing over 30, hyporesonance, signs of consolidation and paradoxical breathing.

Question 6

Pleurisy

Answer 6

Sharp chest pain, aggravated with breathing movements, dry cough, pleuritic rub

Question 7

Pulmonary embolism

Answer 7

Pain, shortness of breath, coughing up blood, massive embolism, dyspnoea, pleuritic chest pain, haemoptysis, tachypnoea, pleural rub, hyporesonance, plural effusion, sever chest pain at a point, shock, tachypnoea, syncope, increased JVP, absent breath sounds.

Question 8

Tuberculosis

Answer 8

Often symptomless, vague cough or wheeze, gradual onset of symptoms, tiredness, malaise, anorexia, fever, cough, night sweats, mucoid, purulent or bloodstained sputum, aching chest, history of reoccurring colds, pleural effusion or pneumonia, finger clubbing.

Question 9

Hyperventilation syndrome

Answer 9

Acute anxiety, tetany, numbness tingling if mouth and lips, carpoprdal spasm, aching chest muscles, light headedness.

Question 10

Industrial lung disease

Answer 10

Productive cough, what colour is it?