Week 3- Breathlessness

Question 1

What is a reliever inhaler?

Answer 1

Relieves symptoms of asthma once they’ve come on
Beta 2 agonist

Question 2

What is a preventer inhaler?

Answer 2

Prevents symptoms from coming on
Inhaled corticosteroid

Question 3

What is meant by breathlessness/dyspnoea?

Answer 3

“Uncomfortable need to breathe”
Patient senses respiratory rate increasing and the extra effort they’re making to seek more air

Question 4

What are the most likely reasons for someone to be breathless? LUNGS

Answer 4

Problem with lungs- COPD, PE, pneumothorax

Question 5

What are the most likely reasons for someone to be breathless? HEART + CIRCULATION

Answer 5

Problems with the heart or circulation- previous MI leaving issue with left ventricle causing fluid overload in lungs, arrhythmia

Question 6

What are the most likely reasons for someone to be breathless? OXYGEN TRANSPORT

Answer 6

Problems with oxygen transport- poisoning e.g. CO

Question 7

What are the most likely reasons for someone to be breathless? ACID-BASE

Answer 7

Problems with acid-base balance- metabolic or respiratory, if enough acid builds up body senses this and puts respiratory rate up, respiratory failure so buildup of carbon dioxide because you’re not breathing it out

Question 8

What does acute mean and what are some acute causes of breathlessness?

Answer 8

Sudden onset, something changes rapidly
PE, pneumothorax, anaphylaxis, anaemia, MI, COPD, asthma

Question 9

What does chronic mean and what are some chronic causes of breathlessness?

Answer 9

Over time
Often described as breathlessness when exercising but can eventually occur at rest, increased oxygen requirements can’t be delivered
COPD, asthma, anaemia, heart failure, lung cancer

Question 10

What is COPD?

Answer 10

Persistent airflow limitation, lungs themselves are damaged, increased mucus and inflammation in airways, progressive
Beta 2 agonist will not cause improvement
Irreversible
Progressive

Question 11

How does COPD present?

Answer 11

Breathlessness on exertion
Cough
Recurrent chest infections

Question 12

What are the environmental risk factors for COPD?

Answer 12

Smoking- accounts for 90-95%
Environmental dusts, particles, fumes
Women more susceptible
Asthma

Question 13

How is COPD diagnosed?

Answer 13

History
Spirometry
Chest X-Ray

Question 14

Treatment of COPD

Answer 14

Stop smoking
Vaccinate against Influenza, pneumococcus, Covid-19
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Lose weight
Inhalers