Respiratory - UQ Notes Flashcards
(29 cards)
What is clubbing and what are its clinical associations?
Clubbing is bulbous enlargement of the distal phalanges. It may indicate chronic hypoxemia and is associated with suppurative lung disease, lung malignancy, pulmonary fibrosis, cystic fibrosis (rare), asbestosis, and mesothelioma.
What are tar stains and what do they suggest?
Brownish-yellow stains on fingers, especially near nails, caused by cigarette tar. Suggests chronic tobacco smoking.
What causes wasting of the intrinsic hand muscles in respiratory patients?
Often linked with Pancoast’s tumour compressing the brachial plexus. Presents with muscle wasting and possibly Horner’s syndrome.
Define asterixis and its significance in respiratory examination.
Asterixis, or “flapping tremor,” is caused by brief lapses in posture due to metabolic encephalopathy (CO₂ retention, hepatic or renal failure). Test by outstretched arms and extended wrists.
What is pulsus paradoxus and when is it observed?
Exaggerated drop in systolic BP >10 mmHg during inspiration. Seen in cardiac tamponade, severe asthma, COPD, and tension pneumothorax.
What features define Horner’s Syndrome and its respiratory relevance?
Ipsilateral ptosis, miosis, anhidrosis, enophthalmos; caused by sympathetic trunk disruption, often by Pancoast tumour.
What are normal vs. abnormal findings in otoscopy?
Normal tympanic membrane is pearly grey, translucent. Acute otitis media shows bulging, erythema, and loss of landmarks.
What are nasal polyps and their associated symptoms?
Soft, non-cancerous growths in nasal mucosa. Associated with asthma, allergies. Symptoms: nasal obstruction, anosmia, rhinorrhoea.
What is a deviated nasal septum and its relevance?
Displacement of the nasal septum to one side; may cause nasal obstruction, sinus infections.
What are enlarged turbinates and their clinical importance?
Hypertrophied nasal turbinates from allergy/inflammation. Can obstruct airflow and mimic deviated septum.
What causes enlarged tonsils and what are the implications?
May be due to infection, chronic irritation or normal variation. Can contribute to OSA or recurrent infections.
Define oral thrush and its clinical presentation.
Candida albicans infection of oral mucosa. White patches on tongue, cheeks, palate; can cause pain and taste disturbance.
What is oral leukoplakia and why is it significant?
White plaque that cannot be scraped off. Associated with tobacco and alcohol use; can be precancerous.
Which nodes are examined in cervical lymphadenopathy in respiratory cases?
Submandibular, submental, anterior/posterior cervical, supraclavicular. Enlarged nodes may indicate malignancy, TB, or infection.
Define asthma and its hallmark features.
Reversible airway obstruction due to hyperresponsiveness and inflammation. Wheeze, dyspnea, cough, and nocturnal symptoms common.
What defines COPD and its key features?
Progressive airflow limitation; includes chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Non-reversible. Symptoms: chronic cough, sputum, dyspnea.
Types of pneumonia and their distinctions?
Lobar: Consolidation of an entire lobe.
Bronchopneumonia: Patchy alveolar inflammation around bronchioles.
Typical vs Atypical: Typical = sudden onset, productive cough; Atypical = gradual onset, dry cough.
What are the classic features of pulmonary embolism (PE)?
Sudden dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, hemoptysis, tachycardia. May show signs of DVT.
What is interstitial lung disease (ILD)?
Group of conditions causing fibrosis and inflammation of alveolar walls. Progressive dyspnea and dry cough. Fine crackles on auscultation.
What is bronchogenic carcinoma?
Malignant tumor of bronchial epithelium. Cough, weight loss, hemoptysis, clubbing. May present with paraneoplastic syndromes.
Describe Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA).
Repeated airway collapse during sleep → apneic episodes. Loud snoring, daytime sleepiness, morning headaches.
What are common respiratory symptoms in history-taking?
Cough, sputum, hemoptysis, dyspnea, wheeze, stridor, chest pain, sleep apnea, voice change.
What are red flag respiratory symptoms?
Hemoptysis, sudden dyspnea, stridor, chronic productive cough, localized wheeze.
Give an example of a systems review question for respiratory.
“Have you noticed any cough, shortness of breath, unusual phlegm, wheezing, or have you coughed up blood?”
