Physiological Principle in the Clinical Evaluation of a Patient

Question 1

Physiological Knowledge

Answer 1

Understand patient presentations
Plan and interpret investigations
Plan management options
Provide health promotion

Question 2

Shortness of Breath

Answer 2

Acute
Chronic

Question 3

How to approach a patient with acute shortness of breath?

Answer 3

ABCDE
History
Examination
Investigations
Diagnosis
Management

Question 4

Clinical Signs assessed

Answer 4

Pulse
BP
Temperature
Respiratory rate
O2 Saturation
Conscious patient

Question 5

Clinical investigations done at home

Answer 5

Blood Glucose
ECG

Question 6

Management to correct abnormal physiology that needs immediate attention

Answer 6

Given O2 –> improved O2 saturation

Question 7

Homeostasis

Answer 7

the maintenance of steady states within our bodies by coordinated physiological mechanisms

Question 8

Why do we need to breath?

Answer 8

Need constant O2 to produce energy and function
CO2 removed from body

Question 9

NEWS Chart

Answer 9

Can record vital signs
Compare to normal values
Clinical concerns override any scores

Question 10

How the O2 is supplied to, and CO2 removed from our body cells?

Answer 10

We need:
Enough O2
Control - controls rate and depth of breathing
Ventilator pump - moves O2 and CO2 in and out
Gas exchanger - exchanges O2 and CO2 between lungs/blood
CV System - moves blood with O2 and CO2
Sufficient Hb to carry O2

Question 11

Some causes of shortness of breath

Answer 11

Respiratory
CV
Other causes, Haematological, endocrine/metabolic, psychological, physiological

Question 12

What was wrong with this patient?

Answer 12

Heart function became abnormal
Left side of heart not pumping as well - excess fluid in lungs = Pulmonary oedema
Acute pulmonary oedema
Difficult to breath