Signs in Respiratory Medicine (Week 1) Flashcards
What is a wheeze?
High pitched noise on inspiration/expiration/both due to narrowed/obstructed airways
What is the difference between wheeze and stridor?
Wheeze is caused by narrowing in the bronchial tree; stridor is laryngeal/tracheal in origin (more to come later).
What is dyspnoea?
Shortness of breath
What is orthopnoea?
Shortness of breath (dyspnoea) occurring when the patient lies flat - patient has to sleep sitting up
What is hypoxaemia?
Abnormally low volume of oxygen in the blood
What is hypoxia?
Abnormally low volume of oxygen reaching the tissues
Shortness of breath (does/does not) mean hypoxaemia.
does not (see Usain Bolt after he’s won a race)
What is cyanosis?
Blue/purple discolouration of the skin or mucous membranes caused by tissue hypoxia
Where is central hypoxia found?
Tongue/lips
Where is peripheral hypoxia found?
Hands/feet/nose
Irregular flapping of the hand when wrist is hyperextended is caused by what condition?
CO2 retention
What else may you see in a patient with a CO2 flap?
Confusion
Peripheral vasodilation
Name a substance which causes yellowing of the fingernails.
- Nicotine
- Tar
- Fungus
In atopic diseases, which skin condition may develop?
Eczema
The formation of red lumps on the shins is called…
erythema nodosum.
