Shortness of breath

Question 1

Other than respiratory causes what else can cause shortness of breath?

Answer 1

heart: heart failure, arrhythmia, myocardial infarction
lung: (asthma, COPD, pulmonary embolism)

Metabolic: (diabetic ketoacidosis, drug overdose)

endocrine: thyrotoxicosis

Psychogenic : panic attack, anxiety

Question 2

is acute onset of SOB an indication of serious aetiology?

Answer 2

YEs

Question 3

Name some causes of sudden SOB

Answer 3

acute airway obstruction

anaphylactic shock

pneumothorax

Question 4

SOB that is ever present is likely to be what?

Answer 4

COPD

heart failure

Anaemia

Question 5

Causes of pleuritic chest pain?

Answer 5

Pneumothorax

pneumonia

pleurisy

pulmonary embolism

musculoskeletal chest pain

Question 6

Name some drugs and their effect on SOB

Answer 6

beta-blockers, asthma

amiodarone, pilmonary fibrosis

nitrofurantoin,pulmonary fibrosis

methotrexate, pneumonitis

Question 7

acute causes of SOB

Answer 7

inhaled foreign body

anaphylaxis

asthma attack

pulmonary embolism

pneumothorax

pulmonary oedema

chest injuries

pneumonia

Question 8

chronic causes of SOB

Answer 8

COPD

asthma

heart failure

lung cancer

anaemia

pneumoconiosis