Cough and Haemoptysis

Question 1

name two things that can cause an acute wet cough

Answer 1

lower RTI

pneumonia

Question 2

name two things that can cause a chronic wet cough

Answer 2

chronic bronchitis

bronchiectasis

Question 3

when is a sputum culture very helpful?

Answer 3

when a patient has a SPUR infection

Question 4

what does SPUR stand for?

Answer 4

severe
persistent
unresponsive to treatment
resistant

Question 5

what should be investigated in patients with SPUR infections?

Answer 5

underlying immune problems such as HIV

Question 6

what type of cough can lung cancer cause?

Answer 6

dry cough

Question 7

what is the first test for a lung cancer?

Answer 7

chest x ray

Question 8

is cancer likely when a patient has a cough and no red flags?

Answer 8

no

Question 9

what scan should be done for a patient with a cough and red flags?

Answer 9

CXR and CT

Question 10

what can massive haemoptysis cause?

Answer 10

airway obstruction

Question 11

what volume is considered massive haemoptysis?

Answer 11

around 250mls

Question 12

how is massive haemoptysis managed?

Answer 12

maintain airway
oxygen
fluid resuscitation

Question 13

what volume is considered sub massive haemoptysis?

Answer 13

around 100mls

Question 14

how does minimal haemoptysis present?

Answer 14

streaks of blood in sputum or clots

Question 15

what are the four main causes of haemoptysis?

Answer 15

lung cancer
bronchiectasis
PE
infection

Question 16

what drugs should you check a patient is on if they have haemoptysis?

Answer 16

anticoagulants and antiplatelets