Shortness of Breath Flashcards
What are the important aspects of history in an acute asthma attack?
- Baseline severity
- Exacerbation history
- Previous ICU admissions
- Normal PEFR
- Inhaler technique
- Home oxygen/nebs
What investigations should be done for a suspected asthma attack?
- Peak flow
- ABG
- CXR to exclude pneumothorax
- Bloods - regular potassium monitoring
What will an acute asthma attack abg show?
Will show hyperventilation
If it shows hypoxia/hypercapnia then patient is tiring
What are the features of a life-threatening asthma attack?
33, 92, CHEST PEFR <33% predicted <92% saturations Cyanosis Hypotension Exhaustion Silent chest Tachycardia
What are the features of severe, moderate and mild asthma attacks?
- Severe <50% predicted PEFR, cannot complete full sentences, resp rate >25, HR >110
- Moderate <75% PEFR
- Mild >75% PEFR
What is the management for an acute asthma exacerbation?
O SHIT ME
Oxygen - oxygen driven nebs
Salbutamol 2.5-5mg nebulised - back to back initially
Hydrocortisone 100mg IV
Ipratropium - 500mcg NEB
Theophyline - amniophylline infusion - usually in ICU
Magnesium sulphate 2g IV over 20 mins - one off dose
Escalate care - intubation and ventilation
What is the management for an acute exacerbation of COPD?
O SHIT Oxygen - venturi controlled 88-92% Salbutamol 5mg NEB Hydrocortisone 100mg IV Ipratropium 500mcg NEB Theophylline - usually in ICU
Antibiotics should be prescribed if signs of infection
Chest physio
Consider BiPAP if can’t maintain oxygenation without depressing respiratory drive
What are the intensive care indications for Acute asthma/COPD?
If they require ventilator support
Worsening hypoxia/hypercapnia/acidosis
Exhaustion
Drowsiness/confusion
What are the investigations for suspected pulmonary embolism?
To confirm/exclude diagnosis: -D-Dimer if low PE wells score -CTPA To investigate severity: -ECG may show RV strain (T-wave inversion in inferior leads), S1Q3T3 -CXR may show wedge infarcts, effusion -ECHO - for right heart strain/overload Look for cause e.g. anti-phospholipid, malignancy, thrombophilia
How do you manage a PE?
Calculate the PE wells score
If high risk or D-dimer positive - Start treatment dose LMWH 1.5mg/kg OD for 5 days
Most patients are then started on DOACs or Warfarin for 6 months anticoagulation
In patients with massive PE (SBP <90) then throbolyse with alteplase
In patients with sub-massive PE (e.g. saddle PE) - unfractionated heparin infusion for 72 hours so thrombolysis can be considered
What investigations should you do for acute pulmonary oedema?
Bloods - ABG, FBC, LFT, U+E, BNP, Trops if ACS suspected
CXR
ECG
echo
serial weights with catheter for accurate UO
What is the immediate managament for acute pulmonary oedema?
PODMAN Position - sit up Oxygen - high flow Diuretics - IV furosemide Morphine - causes venodilation and reduces preload Anti-emetic - metoclopramide 10mg IV Nitrates - in severe pulmonary oedema CPAP if still hypoxic
What is the long term management of heart failure?
Treat cause where possible -ACE inhibitor -Beta blocker -Diuretic - if pulmonary/peripheral oedema can add aldosterone antagonists e.g. spironolactone Non-pharmocological: -Cardiac resync deice -Implantable cardioverter defibrillator
When in the day are asthma symptoms usually worst?
Usually at night or early in the morning
Cold can make them worse
How is asthma diagnosed?
In high likelihood of asthma: Asked to keep a peak flow diary, diurnal variation will be greater than 20% and will improve with treatment
In intermediate likelihood of asthma: reversibility testing with spirometry
What 3 questions should be asked at an annual asthma review?
Has your asthma affected your sleeping?
Have you had your asthma symptoms during the day?
Has your asthma affected your daily activities?
What are the steps of treating asthma in the community?
1) SABA e.g. salbutamol
2) Add steroid e.g. beclomethasone, this is indicated by using SABA more than 3 times a week or having night symptoms
3) LABA e.g. salmeterol added
4) refer at this point, can add leukotriene receptor antagonists e.g. montelukast
Alternatively xanthine derivative such as theophylline
What are the two main patterns of wheezing in children?
There is Trasient acute wheezing (viral induced wheeze) and usually resolves by age 5
Chronic recurrent wheezing is usually due to asthma
How does asthma management in the community differ in children?
1) SABA
2) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
3) add inhaled steroid
4) increase steroid dose and consider theophyline
What should prompt hospital admission in chest infections in the community?
CURB-65 score >1 or SpO2 <94%