SHORTNESS OF BREATH Flashcards
What is COPD?
Chronic Obstructive Bronchitis: In chronic bronchitis, the mucous glands in the lungs become larger. The airways become inflamed, and the bronchial walls thicken. These changes and the loss of supporting alveolar attachments limit airflow by allowing the airway walls to deform and narrow the airway lumen.
Emphysema: Emphysema is an abnormal, permanent enlargement of the alveoli, also resulting in the deterioration of the alveoli walls. There are 3 types of emphysema: centriacinar emphysema, panacinar emphysema, and distal acinar emphysema or paraseptal emphysema. The destruction of lung parenchyma leads to loss of elastic recoil and loss of alveolar septa and radial airway traction. This can lead to lung hyperinflation, airflow limitation, and air trapping.
what is asthma?
When asthma is “triggered” by any number of external or internal factors, the bronchioles swell and fill with mucus.
Muscles within the bronchioles contract (bronchospasm), causing even further narrowing of the airways.
This narrowing makes it difficult for air to be exhaled from the lungs.
This resistance to exhaling leads to the typical symptoms of an asthma attack.
what is APO?
Pulmonary oedema occurs when the alveoli fill up with excess fluid that has seeped out of the pulmonary blood vessels - raised capillary hydrostatic pressure causes transudation of fluid into pulmonary interstitial spaces and then into the alveoli. This reduces gas exchange, resulting in breathing difficulty and poor oxygenation of blood.
what are some common causes of APO?
heart failure (ACPO)
acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)
high altitude
kidney failure
brain trauma
severe seizures
brain surgery
rapid expansion of the lung
aspirin overdose
pulmonary embolism
viral infections
eclampsia
what are the main symptoms of asthma?
wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, coughing, difficulty speaking
how is mild asthma characterised?
talking in sentences
conscious with nil physical exhaustion and accessory muscle use
generally only an expiratory wheeze
RR may be normal or raised
how is moderate asthma characterised?
talking in phrases
conscious with nil physical exhaustion
mild accessory muscle use
tachycardia and tachypnoea
moderate to loud wheeze (may be inspiratory and expiratory)
SpO2 92-95% RA
how is severe asthma characterised?
speaking only in words
agitated / distressed
increased work of breathing
moderate accessory muscle use
tachycardia and may have tachypnoea
possible low wheeze due to poor air movement
SpO2 90-92% RA
Central cyanosis may be present
pt seated upright, unable to lie supine, pursed lip breathing
hyperinflated thorax
how is life-threatening asthma characterised?
unable to speak
drowsy / collapsed / exhausted
severe accessory muscle use OR minimal use due to tiring
may have tachycardia or pre-arrest bradycardia
poor respiratory effort; may be apnoeic
possible low wheeze due to poor air movement
SpO2 <90% RA (hypoxic)
pt seated upright, unable to lie supine, pursed lip breathing
hyperinflated thorax
what is croup?
An acute viral infection of the upper respiratory tract (larynx, trachea, bronchi). This infection results in inflammation, increased mucus production and swelling of the upper airways.
what are the signs and symptoms of croup?
a cold with low-grade temperature (gradually developing)
rhinorrhoea (runny nose)
barking cough
stridor (worse when the patient becomes upset)
dysphagia (difficulty swallowing)
respiratory distress
