Asthma/COPD Flashcards
Obstructive Chest Conditions:
disturbance of ventilation due to increased resistance to airflow in the airways (Asthma/COPD
Restrictive Chest Conditions:
disturbance of ventilation due to decreased chest wall or lung movement (fibrosis)
What are the selected obstructive chest disorders?
- Asthma
- COPD-Chronic Bronchitis, Emphysema
- Atelectasis
- Consolidation
What are the first five symptoms of obstructive chest disease?
- Chest pain
* 2. Dyspnea*
* 3. Wheezing*
* 4. Cough* - Hemoptysis
What is the etiology of dyspnea?
difficulty breathing
1. CV (left-sided heart failure)
2. Lungs (asthma, COPD, pneumonia)
3. Anxiety
SOB related to activity vs. difficulty taking deep breaths, smothering sensation, paresthesia
What is the etiology of wheezing?
- relatively high pitched adventitious sounds with hissing or shrill, musical quality*
1. May be audible without stethoscope
2. Etiology: narrowed bronchi
What is etiology of cough?
Reflex response to endogenous or exogenous irritants in larynx, trachea, or large bronchi (lung/heart disease)
- Dry vs. productive cough
- If productive, volume, color, odor, consistency important
What are pulmonary function tests used for?
- help d/x and determine severity of chest conditions
2. monitor patients with chest conditions (disease progression, effect of treatment)
What does a pulmonary function test assess?
- Lung volumes
- Air flows rates
- Gas exchange
What is spirometry?
- Measurement of breathing*
1. Used to measure volumes/capacities and flow rates
How do you complete spirometry?
- Pt. inhales maximally, then exhales forcibly and completely into spirometer
- May continue through maximal forced inspiration, depending on test performed
- May record volume as function of time as function of volume
Why use spirometry in obstruction?
individuals have a reduced ability to move air through the conducting airways of the lung (Asthma, COPD)
Why use spirometry in restriction?
individuals have most difficulty getting air into the lung and typically have decreased lung volumes (fibrosis)
Spirometry: FEV1
forced expiratory volume in first second of expiration
- -pre/post bronchiodilator
- ->12% improved = asthma
Spirometry: FVC
forced vital capacity
-helpful to determine fixed obstruction
Spirometry: TLC
total lung capacity
Spirometry: RV
residual volume (left after FVC)
Spirometry: DLco
diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide
Spirometry: FEV1/FVC
ratio to standardized and interpret results
Normal: > 75%
What effective do obstructive processes have on spirometry parameters?
decrease airway flow rates with relative preservation of forced vital capacity
What effective do restrictive processes have on spirometry parameters?
decreased forced vital capacity with relative preservation of flow rates
If disease is likely check the spirometry % FEV1/FCV:
- If the ratio 88-90% or higher = restrictive disease likely
- If the ratio is <75% = obstructive disease likely
What occurs with FEV1/FVC in asthma?
<75%
What occurs with FEV1/FVC in COPD?
<75%