Signs and symptoms of respiratory disease Flashcards
What is an example of a symptom?
Complaining of pain when breathing (patient experience- can’t see).
What is an example of a sign?
Tenderness when pressing on the chest wall.
What is an example of a test?
X-ray may show a broken rib.
What are some symptoms of resp disease?
-dyspnoea (shortness of breath)
-wheeze
-cough
-sputum
-haemoptysis (coughing up blood)
-chest pain
-weight loss
What are some questions you could ask about dyspnoea?
-could you describe
-are you short of breath at rest
-when walking on flat
-slope or stairs
-when exercising
-does anything make it worse
-what relieves it
-how long
-speed of onset
What are some physical signs of resp disease?
-posture (short of breath- adapt posture to make it easier)
-speed of movement
-rate and depth of breathing
-pursed lip breathing
-smell of smoke
-stained hands
What is nail clubbing?
Tissue under nail becomes thicker- caused by a number of conditions that lead to a decrease in the oxygen in blood (lung or heart disease).
What are some conditions that cause finger clubbing?
-lung cancer
-bronchiectasis
-empyema
-congenital heart disease
-cystic fibrosis
-mesothelioma
What are some physical signs seen on the hands?
-nicotine staining
-finger clubbing
-peripheral cyanosis
-splinter haemorrhages
-warm hands
-sweaty palms
-tremor
What parts of past medical history would you need to know about?
-general (illnesses or surgery)
-family
-social (marital status, accommodation, hobbies)
-occupation
-drug history
-allergies
What tests can you perform for resp disease investigation?
-X-ray
-spirometry
-lung function tests
-CT chest
-bronchoscopy
-arterial blood gases
-blood tests
What should you ask before completing any resp tests?
What tests have they already had done.
