Clinical Breathlessness

Question 1

Describe common causes of breathless

Question 2

Able to ask questions that can grade severity of breathlessness

Question 3

List common causes of breathlessness both acute and chronic in nature

Question 4

Define chronic obstructive pulmonary disease

Answer 4

Persistent airflow limitation, progressive

Question 5

Describe common presentations of COPD

Answer 5

Breathlessness when doing a range of activities, white sputum (occasionally),cough!

Question 6

List risk factors for development of COPD

Answer 6

Smoking, professions (mining, fumes), forest fire pollution, women are more susceptible, asthma.

Question 7

Outline key investigations to diagnose COPD

Answer 7

A good history
Spirometry ( FEV1/FVC <0.7)
Chest X-ray

Question 8

Outline principles of management of COPD

Answer 8

. Stop smoking
.vaccinate - influenza and pneumococcus
. Pulmonary rehabilitation
. Lose weight
. Inhalers

Question 9

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - COPD

Question 10

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - asthma

Question 11

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - Peunothorax

Question 12

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - peunomia

Question 13

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - heart failure

Question 14

Describe clinical examination findings that can help distinguish causes of breathlessness - pulmonary embolus