MTB 3 - Pulmonary Flashcards
(146 cards)
How does asthma present?
Patient who is short of breath with expiratory wheezing. In severe cases, there is use of accessory muscles, and the patient is unable to speak in complete sentences.
What are the most important features of severe exacerbation?
- Hyperventilation/increased respiratory rate
- Decrease in peak flow
- Hypoxia
- Respiratory acidosis
- Possible absence of wheezing
What is an ominous sign for asthma?
Absence of wheezing. To wheeze, one must have airflow
What test should be done if the diagnosis of asthma is unclear?
Pulmonary function testing before and after inhaled bronchodilators.
How much of a change should you see in FEV1 in order to confirm asthma/reactive airway disease?
Increase in FEV1 of > 12% and >200 mL increase
How can methacholine stimulation testing be useful in an asymptomatic asthmatic patient?
Looks for a decrease in FEV1 in response to synthetic acetylcholine. Methacholine will decrease FEV1 if the patient has asthma.
What are the best initial therapies that should be ordered for an asthmatic exacerbation?
Inhaled bronchodilators - There is no maximum dose of inhaled bronchodilators
Bolus of steroids (methyl prednisolone) - Steroids need 4-6 hours to be effective
Inhaled ipratropium
Oxygen
Magnesium - relaxes muscles
What should any patient that presents with shortness of breath receive?
Oxygen
Continuous oximeter
Chest x-ray
ABG
Where should any patient with asthma and respiratory acidosis with CO2 retention be placed?
In the ICU. Persistent respiratory acidosis is an indication for intubation and mechanical ventilation
When is terbutaline the right answer choice for a patient with asthma?
Terbutaline is less efficacious than inhaled albuterol. Terbutaline is always the wrong answer choice
What benefit does epinephrine have for patients with asthma?
Subcutaneously administered epinephrine has no benefit in addition to inhaled bronchodilators
What is the best initial therapy for nonacute asthma?
Inhaled bronchodilators (albuterol)
If an asthmatic patient is not controlled with albuterol then what is the next medication that should be used?
Chronic controller medication such as an inhaled steroid
If inhaled albuterol and inhaled steroids do not control asthma symptoms, what should be added next?
Long-acting inhaled beta agonist, such as salmeterol or formeterol
What is the last resort medication for asthma?
Oral steroids
What is the alternate long-term controller medication besides inhaled steroids for:
1) Extrinsic allergies, such as hay fever
2) Atopic disease
3) Chronic COPD
4) High IgE levels, no control with cromolyn
1) Cromolyn or nedocromil
2) Montelukast
3) Tiotropium, iptratropium
4) Omalizumab (anti-IgE antibody)
What is the treatment for exercise-induced asthma?
Inhaled bronchodilator (albuterol) prior to exercise
What are the three mechanisms by which antimuscarinic medications affect the lungs?
Antimuscarinic activity 1) dries the secretions of goblet cells, 2) decreases bronchoconstriction, and 3) inhibits excess fluid production in bronchi
T/F Antimuscarinic medications are more effective in COPD than asthma?
True
What conditions presents ina long-term smoker with increasing shortness of breath and decreased exercise tolerance?
COPD
What is the only way to assess CO2 retention in COPD patients?
In cases of COPD, order ABG because it is critical in acute shortness of breath from COPD. No other way to assess for CO2 retention.
How do you handle acute episodes of SOB in COPD?
Oxygen and ABG Chest x-ray Albuterol Ipratropium Bolus of steroids Chest, heart, extremity, and neurological exam
If fever, sputum, and/or a new infiltrate is present on chest x-ray for a patient with COPD exacerbation, then what abx should you add and what are you treating?
Ceftriaxone and azithromycin for community-acquired pneumonia
On CCS, move the clock forward 15-30 minutes and reassess the patient. O2 administration in COPD may worsen the shortness of breath by eliminating hypoxic drive
On CCS, move the clock forward 15-30 minutes and reassess the patient. O2 administration in COPD may worsen the shortness of breath by eliminating hypoxic drive