Amir sam 3

Question 1

What is the cause of breathlessness if the onset is within seconds. (3)

Answer 1

Pneumothorax.
PE.
Foreign body.

Question 2

What is the cause of breathlessness if the onset is within mins/hours. (4)

Answer 2

Inflammation of the airways.
Obstruction of the airways.
Chest infection (pus).
Acute heart failure (fluid).

Question 3

What is the cause of breathlessness if the onset of symptoms is within days/weeks. (7)

Answer 3

Chronic/non resolving chest infection/obstruction/inflammation. 
Interstital lung disease. 
Malignancy.
Large pleural effusion. 
Neuromuscular. 
Anaemia. 
Thyrotoxicosis.

Question 4

How do you manage a primary pneumothorax that is

Answer 4

Discharge.

Repeat CXR.

Question 5

How do you manage a primary pneumothorax that is >2cm that is causes shortness of breath. (2)

Answer 5

Aspiration.

If aspiration unsuccessful, insert a chest drain.

Question 6

How do you manage a secondary pneumothorax that is

Answer 6

Aspiration.

Question 7

How do you manage a secondary pneumothorax that is >2cm.

Answer 7

Chest drain.

Question 8

How do you determine the cardiac axis.

Answer 8

Look at I and II - if either of them is overall negative, then there is axis deviation.

Question 9

What do you look at when interpreting a CXR. (11)

Answer 9

If it is an PA/PA film. 
Name and DOB of patient. 
Time and day taken. 
Rotation. 
Inspiration. 
Penetration. 
Lung fields and lung markings. 
Costophrenic angles. 
Diaphragm. 
Heart and mediastinum. 
Bones.