Respiratory Conditions Flashcards
(67 cards)
If a patient presents to the pharmacy complaining of upper respiratory tract symptoms such as cough, and you decide to assess her, what red flags would require you to refer the patient to MD?
- high fever > 40.5C or fever > 38.5 for more than 3 days
- infants < 6 months with fever and rectal temp > 38.5
- severe headache
- neck pain or stiffness
- photophobia
- difficulty breathing
- wheezing
- stridor
- COPD/ Asthma
- cough that lasts > 3 weeks
- signs of dehydration in infants (sunken eyes, no tears, decreased urination)
What are the distinct symptoms of allergic rhinitis?
-watery eyes and runny nose
-no fever
-itchy throat
-sneezing
-earache in children
-only occurs for as long as there is exposure to allergen
When to refer to a Dr in common cold
fever > 40.5 or >38.5 for > 72 hrs, cough > 3 weeks, severe headache, severe sudden throat pain
What kinds of respiratory conditions is a fever most common in?
influenza
sinusitis (possible, but if it occurs, must refer)
pharyngitis
how long does the common cold last?
5-7 days, sometimes upto 14 days (25%)
how long does influenza virus last?
10 days
how long pharyngitis last?
3 days
how long does sinusitis last?
days to weeks
what is the first symptom that occurs in the collom cold?
sore throat (dry, scatchy)
A fever of 38-40 degrees C with a sudden onset is most common in what kind of respiratory condition?
influenza virus
What sets sinusitis apart from others in terms of symptoms?
-facial tenderness
-pain btwn eyes, jaw and tooth pain
-headache
Treatment for allergic rhinitis
- oral antihistamines
- intranasal ICS for runny nose (fluticasone spray)
- oral or topical decongestants for congestion
- cromoglycate/olopatadine for watery eyes
how would you rule out OTITIS MEDIA?
ask about ear pain or fever duration
how would you rule out influenza?
ask about any muscle pain, rapid fever, chills, cough, clear nasal discharge
how would you rule out a common cold?
nasal discharge, sore throat/dry and cough, typically no fever
what questions will you ask a patient to rule in/out rhinosinusitis?
any facial pain, persistent yellow/green discharge, jaw pain
Major symptoms to help differentiate between the different types of colds?
influenza = sudden fever
common cold = mainly nasal congestion
pharyngitis = sore throat
A 20 year old woman with mild fever 38 ºC, sore throat, runny nose, congestion from the last 3 days. An assessing pharmacist consider her condition as minor ailment because she does not any other underlying condition or medication. What is her condition?
common cold
*no sudden fever or muscle pain, so R/O influenza
*no facial pain, so R/O sinusitis
*no watery eyes, so R/O allergic rhinitis
* no severe/rapid onset of sore throat, so R/O pharyngitis (which usually lasts only 3 days)
1 year old child presents to pharmacy with fever for the past 4 days. no meds taken. what would you recommend?
refer to Dr
OTC Treatment for allergies - snezing/rhinorrhea
antihistamines
OTC Treatment for allergies - nasal congestion
oral or topical decongestants
What are the common causes of cough?
asthma, chronic bronchitis, COPD, hart failure.
Drugs - ACEi
Emphysema, foreign body, GERD, post-nasal drip, upper/lower resp infection
If a patient complains of a cough, when would you refer them?
age < 3 months
comorbid conditions: COPD, asthma, GERD, heart failure, DVT, recent trauma
-fever > 72 hrs
-high fever
-blood in cough
-covid positive
-meds: ACEi, NSAIDs, immunosuppressants.
Patient is 5 years old looking for cough and cold products. What would you recommend?
non pharms. no OTC available.
