RESPIRATORY SYSTEM

• What are characteristics of ASTHMA?

  • SOB
  • pursed lips (self PEEP)
  • wheeze (widespread)
  • cough
  • chest pain/tightness
  • tripod position
  • accessory muscle use
  • nasal flaring
  • tachycardia
  • cyanosis (late sign)
• What are some triggers of ASTHMA?

  • pollen
  • mold
  • exercise
  • animal dander
  • pollution
  • resp infections
  • fumes
• What does mild to moderate and severe asthma look like?

  MILD/MODERATE:

  • SOB
  • able to speak sentences
  • loud wheeze
  • no significant neck indrawing
  • normal SpO2
  • normal LOC

  SEVERE:

  • very SOB
  • able to speak few words
  • quiet wheeze
  • significant neck indrawing
  • tripod
  • SpO2 = >90%
  • may be agitated
• What does immediately life-threatening ASTHMA look like?

  • extremely SOB
  • unable to speak
  • may not have wheeze
  • marked indrawing (unless exhausted)
  • rapidly falling SpO2
  • severe agitation
  • falling LOC
• What are signs + symptoms of COPD?

  • SOB
  • pursed lips
  • wheeze
  • chest tightness
  • tripod
  • accessory muscle use
  • nasal flaring
  • cough
  • hypoxia (may be normal)
  • cyanosis
• What are some risk factors for COPD?

  • over 50yr
  • chronic/ex smoker
  • factory worker
  • industrial environment
• What are the 2 types of COPD?

  • chronic bronchitis
  • emphysema
• How do ASTHMA and COPD differ?

  Asthma is acute and has reversible bronchospasms whereas COPD is more chronic and has irreversible bronchospasm
• What do the different levels of COPD look like?

  MILD/MODERATE:

  • SOB
  • speak sentences
  • wheeze
  • some neck indrawing
  • SpO2 near their normal level
  • normal LOC

  SEVERE:

  • very SOB
  • speak few words
  • may not have a wheeze
  • severe neck indrawing
  • tripod
  • SpO2 significantly below their normal
  • agitation

  LIFE-THREATENING:

  • extremely SOB
  • unable to speak + no wheeze
  • no neck indrawing (exhaustion)
  • SpO2 rapidly falling
  • falling LOC
• What are signs + symptoms of PNEUMONIA?

  • increased RR + SOB
  • tachycardia
  • cough
  • pleuritic chest pain (sharp)
  • crackles
  • dullness on percussion
  • decreased lung expansion
  • fever/rigors
  • sputum
• What is PNEUMONIA?

  It is inflammation of the parenchymal structures of the lung, which is caused by infection.
• What is PLEURAL EFFUSION?

  An abnormal collection of fluid in the pleural cavity. It is usually caused by decreased removal or excess fluid formation in the lymphatic system. It can be due to increased blood hydrostatic pressure or infection that results in exudate
• What are the signs+ symptoms of PLEURAL EFFUSION?

  • pleuritic chest pain
  • decreased lung expansion
  • dull on percussion
  • possible fever
  • SOB
• What is PLEURISY?

  Inflammation of the pleura, commonly develops with resp infections that include the pleura.
• What are the signs + symptoms of PLEURISY?

  • one-sided chest pain
  • likely with LRTI
• What typically comes on in seconds to minutes?

  • asthma
  • PE
  • pneumothorax
  • pulmonary oedema
  • anaphylaxis
  • FBAO
• What typically comes on for hours or days?

  • exacerbation of COPD
  • HF
  • resp infection
  • metabolic acidosis
• What typically lasts weeks or longer?

  • COPD
  • interstitial lung disease
  • other chronic lung disorders
• What are the signs + symptoms of PE?

  • SOB (worse on exertion)
  • chest pain (pin-point)
  • cough (+ blood sputum)
  • leg pain + swelling in calf
  • dizzy/lightheaded
  • diaphoresis
  • ECG changes (tachy)
  • HoTN
  • fever
• What are the risk factors for PE?

  • recent surgery
  • long distance travel
  • obesity
  • smoking
  • pregnancy
  • taking the pill
• What are the signs + symptoms of a PNEUMOTHORAX?

  • SOB
  • tachycardia
  • chest pain/tightness
  • cyanosis
  • diaphoresis
  • reduced movement on one side
  • auscultation - reduced/no breath sounds on the affected side
  • percussion - hyper-resonance
• What are the signs + symptoms of a TENSION PNEUMOTHORAX?

  • worsening shock
  • hyper-resonant percussion
  • JVD
  • tachy/dyspnoea
  • tracheal deviation (late sign)
  • reduced lung sound on injured side
  • chest pain
  • WILL DIE IF NOT TREATED
  • tachycardia (first sign of tension)
• What are the diagnostic criteria for ANAPHYLAXIS?

  • must have signs of systemic involvement
  • must involve SKIN + one other system e.g. cardio or resp
• What should you look out for with ANAPHYLAXIS?

  • flushing
  • itchy skin
  • urticaria
  • angioedema