Signs & symptoms of RS disease Flashcards
List the symptoms associated with RS disease
Dyspnoea
Wheezing
Coughing
Sputum
Chest pain
Haemoptysis
Weight loss/ appetite loss
Define dyspnea
refers to the sensation of shortness of breath or difficulty breathing, described as feeling breathless and breathing discomfort.
What are the relevant questions to ask about dyspnea?
Is the patient SOB
Can the patient describe it
Is the patient SOB at rest
SOB on flat?
SOB using stairs?
SOB on exercising
What makes it worse
What relieves it
When & how quickly did it start
Define wheezing
a whistle like sound made during breathing e.g., exhalation, suggest narrowing or an obstruction to the airways.
What are the relevant questions to ask about wheezing?
Is the wheezing audible? , Is it inspiratory or expiratory? Does the patient have a wheeze normally? Is the wheezing worse at night?, Is it brought on by irritants? How long does the wheezing last?, How is the wheezing relieved?
Define coughing
a reflex action that helps clear the airways of mucus, irritants etc, a natural protective mechanism, that may indicate an underlying health condition.
What are the relevant questions to ask about coughing?
How long have you had a cough for?, When did the cough start?, is the cough constant?, does the cough wake you at night?, are there any triggering factors for the cough?, Is the cough dry or wet?, What does the cough sound like?
Define Sputum & haemoptysis
Sputum: a thick mucus coughed up from the lungs and airways, consisting of mucus, debris and cells, sputum can vary in colour, consistency and volume.
Haemoptysis: refers to the coughing up of blood or blood-stained sputum from the lungs/airways, volume of blood in sputum (small/large blood streaks) can help identify condition. Haemoptyis requires immediate medical attention.
What are the relevant questions to ask about sputum and haemoptysis?
Are you producing sputum? What colour is the sputum? Has it changed colour recently? How much sputum are you producing? Have you noticed blood in your sputum? If so when and how much blood in the sputum?
Define chest pain
refers to discomfort in the chest area, which can vary in intensity, duration and nature e.g., stabbing pain, it can indicate many underlying conditions.
What are the relevant questions to ask about chest pain?
Is there a chest pain when breathing? If so, what is the pain like? Is the pain sharp or dull? Has the doctor told you what it is? Do you take any medication for it? Is it constant or occasional? How long have you had it?
What are the physical signs that indicate RS disease
Gait, how they walk
Posture e.g., leaning over during sitting
Speed of movement/mobility
Rate and depth of breathing
Smell of smoke
Pursed lip breathing, puffing out
Stained hands e.g., nicotine stains hands yellow
Define nail/finger clubbing
the tissue beneath the fingertips becomes thicker, the nail curves around the fingertip causing a club-like appearance, can be caused by many conditions that lead to a decrease in oxygen in the blood, it can develop in a matter of weeks. Can indicate lung or heart disease
Indicates:
- lung cancer
- congenital heart disease
- emphysema
- CF
- Bronchiectasis
Define cyanosis in hands, splinter haemorrages & stained hands
Peripheral cyanosis, bluish discolouration of hands
Splinter haemorrhages, are tiny streaks of blood underneath the nail plate.
stained hands can indicate smoking e.g., nicotine causes yellowish staining
What to look for in a patients history?
General history: if they have had past illness or surgeries
Family history: if family members have had any medical conditions
Social: if patient is married, if patient lives with others or has a carer
Leisure: Any hobbies, pets, smoking, alcohol & drug use
Occupation: current & previous occupations, any exposure to chemicals/biohazards
drug history: list of current & past medications they have taken
Allergies: includes drug allergies and asthma
What tests do we use to diagnose RS disease
x-rays, spirometry, CT chest, complex RFTS, ABGS, Bronchoscopy, blood tests etc
