Respiratory

Question 1

What are differentials for the cause of pleural effusion?

Answer 1

Infective

• Bacterial pneumonia
• Tb

Low albumin states

• Nephrotic syndrome
• Chronic liver disease
• Protein losing enteropathy
• Congestive heart failure

Malignancy

Immunological

Endocrine - hypothyroidism

Question 2

What are causes of nausea in cystic fibrosis?

Answer 2

Fat maldigestion

Abdominal pain (functional)

Small bowel bacterial overgrowth

Treatment: drug SE’s

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD 12x more common)

Increased intracranial pressure

Non-prescribed (alternative) medicines

Gastrointestinal tract issues (5 G’s)

• Gastro-oesophageal reflux
• Gastritis
• Gastroparesis
• Gallstones
• Giardia

Question 3

What are causes of abdominal pain in cystic fibrosis?

Answer 3

Gastro-oesophageal reflux/oesophagitis

Underdosing pancreatic replacement

Appendicitis

Renal stones

Respiratory disease

Distal intestinal obstruction syndrome

Duodenal ulcer

Inflammed pancreas

IBD

Intusussusception

Non-organic/functional

Gallbladder/biliary: cholelithiasis