Respiratory Distress Syndrome

Question 1

Definition of respiratory distress syndrome

Answer 1

Non cardiogenic pulmonary oedema and diffuse lung inflammation, typically secondary to an underlying illness

Question 2

Pathophysiology of RDS

Answer 2

Diffuse alveolar damage with hyaline membrane formation

Question 3

Causes of RDS

Answer 3

Chest sepsis, aspiration, inhalation injury, pulmonary contusion, transfusion related lung injury, pancreatitis, drug overdose, DIC

Question 4

Presentation of RDS

Answer 4

Acute respiratory failure, failing to improve with O2, severe dysopnoea, tachypnoea, confusion, presyncope

Question 5

Restrictive pattern in spirometry

Answer 5

Decrease proportional in both FEV1 and FVC 0.7

Question 6

Obstructive pattern in spirometry

Answer 6

FEV1 lower than FVC 0.7

Question 7

Restrictive causes

Answer 7

Pulmonary fibrosis, ARDS, pneumocosis, MND, obesity, myasthenia gravis

Question 8

Obstructive causes

Answer 8

Asthma, COPD, bronchiectasia, CF

Question 9

What is FEV1

Answer 9

Volume of air expelled in one second in forced expiration

Question 10

What is FVC

Answer 10

Volume within lungs from full inspiration to forced max expiration