Flashcards in Respiratory Deck (42)
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1
what is the main function of the respiratory system?
gas exchange
2
what are the 3 main disturbances that can occur in the respiratory system?
- reduced TRANSFER of oxygen (at alveoli)
- reduced VENTILATION of lungs
- reduced PERFUSION of lungs
3
what is the medical term for breathlessness
dysponea
4
what causes a wheeze?
narrowing of the airways
5
define asthma
the reversible small airway obstruction
6
what is the incidence of asthma
-increasingly common and can occur at all ages
- 2-5% adults and 5-10% children
7
what is the pathophysiology of asthma?
inflammatory / allergic condition
8
the 3 main symptoms of asthma are...
1. cough
2. wheeze
3. breathlessness
9
how to assess asthma?
a peak flow test
10
give 5 asthma precipitants
1. allergen
2. irritants
3. exertion
4. emotion
5. NSAIDs
11
what are signs of chronic asthma?
- restriction of activities
- frequent use of inhalers (especially relievers)
12
4 ways to manage asthma
1. inhaled beta-2-agonist
2. inhaled steroids
3. combination inhalers
4. other medications
13
what are signs of life threatening asthma?
-silent chest
- arrhythmia
- hypotension
- poor respiratory effort
14
what category are most likely to have unstable asthma?
teenagers with poor compliance
15
3 oral side effects of inhalers?
1 dry mouth
2 oral candidiasis
3 altered taste
16
give an example of long acting and short acting beta2- agonist?
long acting = salmeterol
short acting = salbutamol
17
give an example of an inhaled steroid?
beclamethosone
18
what is contained within the combined inhaler called seretide?
salmeterol and fluticasone
19
define COPD
airflow obstruction that is not fully reversible
20
what is the main cause of COPD?
smoking (can also be occupational exposure)
21
what are the 2 pathophysiological consequences to damage to the lung parenchyma?
1. bronchitis
2. emphsema
22
what is emphsema?
alveolar destruction
23
what are the 5 symptoms of COPD?
1. breathlessness
2. wheeze
3. chronic cough
4. sputum production
5. frequent infections
24
what does FEV1 mean?
forced expiratory volume in 1 second
25
what does FVC mean?
forced vital capacity
26
4 ways to manage COPD
- stop smoking
- oral ad inhaled therapies
- exercise programs
- home oxygen (if very severe)
27
what is pneumonia?
infection of lung tissue
28
what are the acute symptoms of pneumonia?
- sputum production (green)
- cough
- breathlessness
- fever (definitely!)
- pleuritic chest pain
29
2 investigations that can give a diagnosis of pneumonia?
- chest x-ray
- sputum examination
30
