Pathologies

Question 1

What is a pneumothorax?

Answer 1

Where air leaks into the pleural cavity, which is the space between the lung and chest wall. This air pushes on the outside of the lung and makes it collapse. Pneumothorax can be complete lung collapse or a portion of the lung.

Question 2

What is a tension pneumothorax?

Answer 2

If air continues to enter the pleural cavity as someone breathes, this can start to compress the other lung and heart leading to a tension pneumothorax and can be life threatening.

Question 3

What is a primary spontaneous pneumothorax?

Answer 3

develops in a healthy young person for no reason and occurs due to a small tear in the lung, probably due to a weakness when developing.

Question 4

What is a secondary pneumothorax?

Answer 4

develops in someone which an existing lung condition, usually COPD, were the condition weakens the lungs and it is more likely to tear. It can also occur because of lung cancer, cystic fibrosis, TB and idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

Question 5

What are the symptoms of a pneumothorax?

Answer 5

Feeling breathless and a sudden sharp stabbing pain on one side of the chest that gets worse when you breathe in.

Question 6

What is the treatment of a pneumothorax?

Answer 6

If its small it can heal itself.

For a larger pneumothorax, it may be aspirated which involves inserting a needle into the air filled space and sucking the air out through a thin tube using a syringe.

Or, a chest drain may be used which is inserted through the chest wall and allows air out but not back in, so the lung can re-inflate. It is usually in place for 2-5 days.

Question 7

What is an atelectasis?

Answer 7

Where the airways and air sacs in the lungs collapse or do not expand properly. It can occur when there is an airway blockage, when pressure outside the lung keeps it from expanding or when there is not enough surfactant for the lung to expand normally.

Question 8

Who is at higher risk of an atelectasis?

Answer 8

Patients may be at higher risk of an atelectasis if they are obese, have asthma, COPD, cystic fibrosis or if they have recently had surgery as anaesthetic can affect the way the lungs work.

Question 9

What can cause an atelectasis?

Answer 9

can occur in newborns whose lungs are not fully developed and have respiratory distress syndrome. Can occur when a tumor, excess mucus or food blocks the airway or due to a pneumothorax or pleural effusion.

Question 10

What are the symptoms of an atelectasis?

Answer 10

It may not cause any signs or symptoms if it affects a small area of your lungs. If it affects a larger area then symptoms can include shallow breathing, wheezing, coughing and fever.

Question 11

What is the treatment of an atelectasis?

Answer 11

Chest physiotherapy= postural drainage, percussion, spirometry and ACBT.
Surgery= removal of airway obstructions may be done by suctioning mucus or by bronchoscopy, where a tube is placed down the throat to clear the airways.
Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) may be helpful in some people who are too weak to cough and who have hypoxemia after surgery.

Question 12

What is pleural effusion?

Answer 12

Is a build up of fluid between the two layers of pleura.

Question 13

When is a plural effusion most likely to occur?

Answer 13

Pleural effusions are common and are often due to lung infections, such as pneumonia and heart failure. A pleural effusion can also be a symptom of several types of cancer as cancer cells can spread into the pleura, which can lead to irritation and cause fluid to build up.

Question 14

What are the symptoms of a plural effusion?

Answer 14

Breathlessness, cough, chest pain.

Question 15

How are pleural effusions usually treated?

Answer 15

chest drain

Question 16

What is pulmonary oedema?

Answer 16

Fluid in the lungs. The fluid collects in the tissues and the air sacs

Question 17

What are the two types of pulmonary oedema?

Answer 17

acute and chronic

Question 18

What is cardiogenic pulmonary oedema?

Answer 18

Pulmonary oedema is usally caused by cardiogenic PO.

The left ventricle is not able to pump out blood that enters from blood vessels coming from the lungs, causing a build up of pressure and fluid. It can also be caused by acute respiratory distress syndrome, blood clots, trauma, near-drowning incidents, viral infections or even being at high altitudes.

Question 19

What are the symptoms of acute PE?

Answer 19

sudden shortness of breath, sweating, wheezing/gasping, pink frothy sputum, blue/grey skin, feeling lightheaded.

Question 20

What are the symptoms of chronic PE?

Answer 20

gain weight rapidly(fluid build up and congestive heart failure), more trouble breathing during physical activity, swollen legs and feet, trouble breathing lying down, wheeze.

Question 21

What is the treatment of cardiogenic PE?

Answer 21

diuretics (water pills) and other medication for heart failure.

Question 22

What is the treatment of non-cardiogenic PE?

Answer 22

medication, oxygen, positioning

Question 23

What is bronchiectasis?

Answer 23

A long term condition where the airways of the lungs become abnormally widened, leading to a build up of excess mucus that can make the lungs more vulnerable to infection. It can develop if the tissue and muscles that surround the bronchi are damage or destroyed

Question 24

What are the most common causes of bronchiectasis?

Answer 24

The most common causes include, a past lung infection that damages the bronchi, underlying problems with the immune system and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis(ABPA) which is an allergy to a certain type of fungi which cause bronchi to become inflamed.

Question 25

What are the symptoms of bronchiectasis?

Answer 25

Breathlessness, persistent cough that usually brings up sputum, wheezing, finger clubbing, joint pain.

Question 26

What is the treatment for bronchiectasis?

Answer 26

ACBT, percussion, suction, medication to improve airflow in lungs, antibiotics to treat infection. Surgery is rarely considered.

Question 27

What is pulmonary fibrosis?

Answer 27

Build up of scar tissue in the lungs that can be idiopathic.

Question 28

What can be the causes of pulmonary fibrosis?

Answer 28

In most causes there is no exact cause, but in some cases it can be caused by asbestos, exposed to allergens in the air or a side effect of a drug.

Question 29

What are the symptoms of pulmonary fibrosis?

Answer 29

Breathlessness, a persistent cough, fatigue, finger clubbing.

Question 30

What is the treatment of pulmonary fibrosis?

Answer 30

Once scarring occurs, it cannot be reversed. Drugs can be used to slow down the rate of scarring, steroids can be used to supress inflammation in the lungs, avoid allergens and stopping any drugs causing the problem. If it progresses a lung transplant may be needed if it cannot be stabilised by other treatment

Question 31

What is hypoxia?

Answer 31

the supply of oxygen is insufficient at tissue level.

Question 32

What is hypoxaemia?

Answer 32

there is insufficient oxygen in arterial blood.

Question 33

What are the symptoms of hypoxia and hypoxaemia?

Answer 33

Shortness of breath, clubbing, rapid breathing and a fast heart rate. Can include confusion, coma, inability to communicate.

Question 34

What is the treatment for hypoxia and hypoaemia?

Answer 34

Give oxygen- this can be given by a nasal cannula. Some patients may be treated in a hyperbaric chamber to increase oxygen concentrations in blood or even intubation(ventilation).