Breathlessness (week 3)

Question 1

main risk factor of COPD

Answer 1

smoking!!!!!!!

Question 2

what is breathlessness

Answer 2

uncomfortable need to breathe

Question 3

what is pneumothorax

Answer 3

presence of air in pleural space (pressure leads to collapsed lung)

Question 4

what could instantaneous onset of breathlessness be caused by (3)

Answer 4

pneumothorax, pulmonary embolus, acute allergy

Question 5

what is pulmonary oedema?

Answer 5

fluid buildup in lungs

Question 6

how do conditions affect breathing at rest/overnight?

Answer 6

asthma - commonly wakes patients
COPD - comfortable at rest
breathlessness lying down - heart failure

Question 7

how do conditions affect every day breathing?

Answer 7

constant symptoms- COPD
variation - asthma

Question 8

colour of sputum meanings?

Answer 8

clear - no current infection
yellow - acute lower respiratory tract infection/asthma
green - current infection
red/brown - pneumonia (pneumococcal)
pink - acute pulmonary odema

Question 9

name for coughing up blood?

Answer 9

haemoptysis

Question 10

what is stridor?

Answer 10

harsh grating respiratory sound.
caused by narrowed lumen of trachea/bronchi

Question 11

what can angina-like pain be caused by?

Answer 11

pulmonary embolus

Question 12

what is sharp stabbing pain caused by?

Answer 12

pleural pain due to:
pneumonia
pneumothorax
lung cancer

Question 13

what is associated with musculoskeletal pain

Answer 13

tender when palpated, pain caused by respiratory movements or movements of spine/shoulder

Question 14

weight loss causes?

Answer 14

lung cancer
chronic infective diseases (eg tuberculosis)
diseases causing chronic breathlessness (eg COPD)

Question 15

what is COPD

Answer 15

persistent and progressive airflow limitation

Question 16

presentation of COPD

Answer 16

breathlessness
cough
recurrent chest infections

Question 17

environmental risk factors for COPD

Answer 17

smoking
pollution
women L
asthma

Question 17

environmental risk factors for COPD

Answer 17

smoking
pollution
women L
asthma

Question 18

COPD investigations?

Answer 18

spirometry
chest x-ray

Question 19

what is tidal volume?

Answer 19

volume of exhaled air after normal inspiration

Question 20

what is vital capacity

Answer 20

total amount of air exhaled after maximal inhalation

Question 21

spirometry - FEV1 and FVC

Answer 21

FEV1 - forced expiratory volume in one second
FVC - forced vital capacity

Question 22

what would obstructive spirometry results show

Answer 22

lung volume reduced, slower exhale

Question 23

COPD treatment

Answer 23

STOP SMOKING!!
vaccinate against influenza, pneumococcus, COVID-19
Pulmonary rehabilitation (useful for breathlessness)
lose weight