respritory Flashcards
Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
examples
Common Colds
Sinusitis
Tonsiliitis
Laryngiits
Lower Respiratory Tract Infections examples
Pneumonia
Bronchitis
Bronchiolitis
Tuberculosis
Asthma symptoms and clinical
Most common cause of recurrent breathlessness, cough & wheeze
Several Triggers of Asthma:
Allergens - Dust, animals
Infection – viral infection triggers bronchoconstriction particularly in children
Drug Induced – β- antagonists & aspirin
Irritant gases – Sulphar Dioxide, Ozone in smog.
Psychological Stress
Exertion / Exercise induced
Cold Air
copd meaning and signs and symptoms
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
Dyspnoea – Most significant symptoms, but may not occur until 6th decade of life
Chronic Cough – usually worse in the mornings
Sputum Production – colourless
Wheezing, peripheral edema, elevated JVP, Cynosis,
Chronic Bronchitis signs and symptoms
BLUE BLOATER
Large amount of Sputum Production
Cough
Cynosis “blue” – due to tissue hypoxia
Pulmonary hypertension
“bloater” Cor Pulmonale – Right Ventricular Failure
Barrel chest
Auscultation
Wheezy on Auscultation – Airway obstruction
Rhonchi – Gurgling sound due to mucus hypersecretion in airways
Secondary polycethemia – Blood work
Emphysema signs and symptoms
PINK PUFFER
Severe constant Dyspnea / Tachypnia ‘ Puffing”
Pursed lips, use accessory muscles to breath and may hyperventilate to breathe faster.
Mild Cough
”Pink” (non Cyanotic)
Thin / Cachexic
Loss of skeletal muscle and subcutaneous fat
Auscultation:
Diminished Breath Sounds
Influenza signs and symptoms
fever, malaise, headache, myalgia and anorexia after a 1-2 day incubation period
Similar S&S to common cold and other respiratory virus
Cough, nasal drip, sore throat often present at the onset
Clinical presentation
Elderly are relatively immunocompromised so presentation may be atypical but rapid deterioration
Acute deterioration to asthmaticus status in patients with asthma
Influenza pneumonia – rapidly progressing cough, dyspnoea and cyanosis, after influenza onset
Lobar Pneumonia (Bacterial) signs and symptoms
Clinical Presentation
Fever
Malaise
Cough (productive, may initially start as dry)
Headache
Sputum - may be rust coloured
Pleuritic Chest Pain
Occasional haemoptysis
Myalgia
Abdominal Pain
Confusion
Anorexia
Streptococcal presents with:
high fever, pleuritic Px, cough and purulent sputum
Elderly patients may present only with low-grade fever
and confusion
Examination:
Crackles and diminished breath sounds
Percussion dullness over pleural effusion
Plural Rub
Due to consolidation:
Decreased chest expansion
Bronchial Breathing
Crackles
Increased vocal resonance
Chest X-Ray Warranted for Diagnosis
Pulmonary Embolism signs and symptoms
Clinical Presentation
Abrupt onset of pleuritis chest pain
Shortness of breath
Cough
Hypoxia
However, there may be no obvious symptoms
Atypical Symptoms may include:
Abdominal pain, syncope, fever, wheezing, flank pain
The diagnosis of PE should be considered in patients with respiratory symptoms, unexplained by alternative diagnosis
Clinical Examination, may have all or some of the following symptoms:
Tachypnea (RR >20)
Rales (bubbling / rattling sounds in the lungs)
Tachycardia
Fever
Diaphoresis (excessive sweating)
S2 or S4 Gallop
Tuberculosis, (Pulmonary) signs and symptoms
S &S in Active TB
Haemoptysis, chronic fever, night sweats, weight loss
Chest Pain Can be due to acute pericarditis; pericardial TB can lead to cardiac tamponade or constriction
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Nonpurulent sputum (reactivation)
TB pleurisy
Chest Px, fever, dyspnoea
Rare- massive haemoptysis secondary to erosion of pulmonary artery within a cavity – fatal
Chest examination
not specific, may hear rales followed by cough
Anaphylaxis signs and symptoms
Can present with severe upper airway oedema, leading to obstruction
Wheezing and collapse with hypotension may occur
Often present with pruritus & flushing, and then evolve rapidly & can include:
Dermatological – flushing / throat tightness / wheezing / SOB / cough
CV – Dizziness / weakness / syncope / Chest pain
GI – Dysphagia / nausau / vomiting
Neuro – Headache / Dizziness / blurred vision
Other – metallic taste
Pertussis (Whooping Cough) signs and symptoms
Bordatella pertussis bacteria
Coughing
Predisposed to atelectasis and bronchopneumonia
May develop cyanosis and apnoea
Sometimes vomiting, seizures and encephalopathy occur
Cystic Fibrosis (CF) signs and symptoms
Meconium ileus (sticky bowel content)
Failure to thrive (pancreatic insufficiency)
Loose smelly stools (pancreas)
Chesty chronic cough (sticky secretions in respiratory tract)
Family Hx
Screening
Late presentation – finger clubbing is important sign
Bronchiolitis
Because of this History can be tricky, but S&S include:
Increasingly fussy & difficulty feeding during the 2-5 day incubation period
Low grade fever
Apnea
Cynosis
Nasal Flaring with respiratory distress
Pneumothorax signs and symptoms
Sudden onset of chest pain, which may be sharp or stabbing in nature
Shortness of breath, which can range from mild to severe
Rapid heart rate or palpitations
Fatigue or weakness
Bluish discoloration of the skin or lips (cyanosis) in severe cases
Decreased breath sounds on the affected side of the chest
Anxiety or restlessness
Tightness in the chest
Coughing or wheezing
Chest tightness or pressure
