Breathless Betty (REVISE) Flashcards
How to differentiate physiological and pathological shortness of breath from exercise
It can be difficult but generally it is judged by comparing yourself to your past self or those around you
Significance of sputum colour (grey or green)
Grey or green generally indicates elevated WBCs; could be infection but not necessarily
But this is compared to the patient’s ‘norm’
Causes of cough
Coryza Acute Bronchitis Tracheitis Pneumonia COPD Asthma Anxiety Foreign Body TB Bronchiectasis CHD Lung Cancer
Drug-induced: e.g. ACE Inhibitors
Pneumonia
Alveoli become full of fluid as a result of infection
Bronchiectasis
Can be genetic or acquired
Damage to bronchiole/alveoli sacs and so damage ciliary mucous elevator so mucous stagnates and does not clear
Differentiate between smoker’s cough and COPD cough
It is difficult to do so; smokers with a PERSISTENT smoker’s cough are suggested to present for further investigation
Percussion of COPD
Dull Percussion
Alerting symptoms regarding COPD or Lung Cancer - im not rly sure :’(
Cough > 3 weeks
Smoking history associated with Haemoptysis
Change in ‘smoker’s cough’
Haemoptysis
Coughing up blood
Sound heard during percussion of fluid in lungs
Dullness, unlike percussion of air which is more crisp
Symptoms OE of COPD patients
Prolonged Exhalation
Polyphonic Wheeze (multi note breath)
Unusual dull percussion of lungs
Reduced chest movements (I THINK)
REVISE
Polyphonic Wheeze
Whistling Like Breath Sound
Due to the varying changes in breathing of COPD
Monophonic Wheeze
Indicates tumour or something
What does a lowered PEF Indicate
A lot of very different things that are hard to diagnose
What do stained fingers on COPD indicate
Tar staining (indicate that they are a current smoker)
What does no ankle swelling tell us of a COPD patient
It indicates that the patient likely does not have chronic congestive heart failure