COPD Flashcards
(118 cards)
What are the main chronic conditions associated with breathlessness?
COPD
Asthma
Interstitial lung disease (Pulmonary fibrosis)
Bronchiectasis
Industrial or occupational lung diseases (asbetosis)
Lung cancer
What is asbestosis?
Chronic exposure to asbestos
What are the main causes of breathlessness?
Airways become inflamed and narrowed
Mucous plug, reduces cilia beating efficacy
Reduction in elasticity
What are the main acute conditions that cause breathlessness?
Flare up of asthma or COPD
Pulmonary embolism/clot in lungs
Pneumothorax/Collapsed lung
Accumulation of fluid of pleural cavity (heart failure), pleural effusion
What is dyspnoea?
breathlessness
What is orthopnea?
Breathlessness when lying flat
Why does heart failure contribute to dyspnoea?
Reduction in stroke volume due to inefficient contractile and diastolic time causes increased volume of blood in pulmonary capillaries –> accumulation of fluid within the pleural space
Why does orthopnea occur?
Systemic blood is redistributed, increasing volume present in the pulmonary capillaries
Reduction in respiratory rate when in sedentary position
Reduction in cardiac output due to decline in adrenaline.
Added pressure onto lungs due to increased fluid accumulation
Which cardiovascular/systemic conditions cause breathlessness?
Congestive heart failure Pulmonary oedema Valvular defects Acute coronary syndrome Anaemia
What happens during hyperventilation?
Smooth airway muscles and intercostal muscles become tense
Why does a panic attack result in breathlessness?
Exaggerated and accelerated build up of physical responses.
Respiratory rate increases
Adrenaline and cortisol is released
What are the symptoms of anxiety?
Syncope, sweating, vomiting, pounding heart, shaky limbs.
Why does obesity increase breathlessness?
Intercostal muscles weaken, weak muscles have a greater respiratory demand, requiring more oxygen to perform.
Increased effort to expire and be mobile.
Additional weight around abdomen and chest, restricts lung movement
Which BMI score is associated with obesity?
25+
What condition occurs due to obesity derived breathlessness?
Obesity hypoventilation
What is obesity hypoventilation?
Poor breathing contributes to reduced oxygen levels, and elevated carbon dioxide concentrations in blood.
What is grade 1 on the degree of breathlessness?
Not troubled by breathlessness except on strenuous exercise
Short of breath when hurrying on the level of walking up a slight hill
Grade 2
Walks slower than most people on the level, stops after a mile or so, or stops after 15 minutes walking at own pace
grade 3
What is grade four on the degree of breathlessness?
Stops for breath after walking about 100 yards or after a few minutes on level ground
What is grade five on the degree of breathlessness?
Too breathless to leave the house, breathless when undressing
What clinical investigations are performed to investigate FEV1 and FVC?
Breathing and lung function tests using a spirometer
How can the breathing rate be measured?
Number of breaths per minute
Auscultate and palpate the chest during breathing
Why should heart rate and rhythm be examined for patients presenting breathlessness?
To identify heart failures and the accumulation of fluid within the pleural cavities