Wk 1: Respiratory and Hematology Flashcards
upper versus lower resp. tract
larynx and up is upper, trachea down is lower respiratory tract
allergic rhinitis
what is it?
Sx?
what is it triggered by?
-inflammatory disorder
-occurs in upper (more common) lower airways (asthma), and eyes
-Sx: sneezing, rhinorrhea, pruritus, nasal congestion, water/itchy eyes
-triggered by allergens (IgE antibodies)
dust, dust mites, mold
histamine
what do they do?
causes a majority of Sx associated with allergic reactions
where are histamines stored?
mast cells and basophils
when activated, histamines cause what?
hives, itchy skin
dilation of blood vessels causing erythema and hypotension
bronchoconstriction: SOB
effects sleep/wake cycle
increases secretion of acid in stomach
different kinds of URI’s
viral
self limiting
rhinitis
sinusitis
laryngitis
laryngotracheobronchitis
acute bronchitis
influenza
bacterial versus viral URI symptoms
bacterial: white spots in throat, tonsils swollen, throat is red, tongue is “furry”
viral: reddened throat, tonsils red/slight swollen, NO white patches. Abx wont work
rhinitis
how is it spread?
Sx ?
-common cold
-spread by droplets
-Sx: low grade fever, HA, fatigue, nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, cough
sinusitis
what is it?
Sx?
Trx?
may be secondary infection
-can be bacterial
-anything inside the nose can increase risk
-Sx: pain above/below eyes, cloudy green or yellow discharge, throat irritation
-hard to Trx with Abx (7+ days)
-use decongestants
Rhinovirus
how long can it live outside the body?
how is it spread?
-usually causes common cold
-fall/spring/summer
-can live 3 hours outside of body, on objects
-spread: droplet or contaminated objects
what are the components of the pharynx?
palate
tonsils
uvula
how to test for pharyngitis ?
cultures and rapid stress test
-can be viral or bacterial
main Sx with pharyngitis
difficulty swallowing
laryngitis
what is it?
Sx?
inflammation of larynx (vocal cords)
-Sx: difficulty speaking, scratchy voice
croup (laryngotracheobronchitis)
what is it?
Sx?
-common in kids
-inflammation of larynx involving trachea and bronchioles
-Sx: bark like cough, stridor, expiratory wheezing
Acute bronchitis
inflammation of the bronchial tree
-Sx: increased cough and sputum production (clear to yellow)
-usually viral
influenza
types
profilaxis
Sx
-usually viral
-types A, B, C (can mutate)
-vaccine once a year
-Sx: rapid onset of F, chills, BA
-secondary PNA can be deadly
normal sputum production
color
function
mucus is secreted by the respiratory tract
-white/ clear color
-traps particles that enter the bronchioles
-cilla help move mucus and captured particles out of the body
epiglottitis
what is it?
Sx?
-inflammation of epiglottis
-can be very dangerous
-Sx: inspiratory stridor, retractions, rapid onset of F, drooling, difficulty swallowing, pain,
different between croup and epiglottitis ?
the barking cough is present with croup, but not with epiglottitis
steeple sign
XR finding that indicates epiglottal swelling
drugs to treat URI’s
antihistamines
sympathomimetics
antitussives
expectorants
what does it mean when an airway is obstructive?
narrowed airways causing worsened expiration
-air then trapped in lungs with increased worked of breathing, a V/Q mismatch and hypoxemia
how do we measure the rate at which the lungs are emptying?
forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1)