Shortness of Breath Flashcards
(20 cards)
SOB
Definition Tachypnea
RR >18 in adults
SOB
Definition Hyperpnea
high minute ventilation to meet metabolic demands
SOB
Definition Orthopnea
dyspnea lying flat
SOB
Definition Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
sudden dyspnea at night
SOB
Differential Diagnosis Pulmonary
Airway obstruction
Respiratory failure (refer to Type 1
vs Type 2 in “Breathing” section)
Anaphylaxis
Pulmonary embolism
Tension pneumothorax
Obstructive Lung Diseases:
Difficulty: Exhaling air.
Airway Obstruction: Narrowed or blocked airways, making it difficult to push air out.
Examples: COPD, asthma, bronchiectasis, bronchiolitis.
Key Feature: Airflow limitation during exhalation.
Causes: Airway inflammation, mucus buildup, or airway narrowing.
Restrictive Lung Diseases:
Difficulty: Inhaling air.
Lung Expansion: Reduced lung capacity and difficulty expanding lungs fully.
Examples: Pulmonary fibrosis, interstitial lung disease, sarcoidosis, pneumoconiosis, and some autoimmune diseases.
Key Feature: Reduced lung volume and limited expansion.
Causes: Lung tissue damage, scarring, or inflammation that restricts lung expansion.
SOB
Differential Diagnosis Cardiac
Pulmonary edema
Myocardial infarction
Cardiac tamponade
Pericardial effusion
Arrhythmias
SOB
Differential Diagnosis Toxic-metabolic
Toxin ingestion (ASA,
organophosphates, CO poisoning)
Sepsis
Acidosis (DKA, lactic, etc.)
SOB
Differential Diagnosis Neuro-endocrine
Thyrotoxicosis
Guillain-Barre syndrome
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Multiple sclerosis
SOB
Assessment
OPQRST stands for:
Onset
Provokes or paliates
Quality
Radiates
Severity
Time
Recent Travel
Trauma
PE risk factors (Wells Criteria,
PERC rule)
Sick contacts
SOB
Physical Exam
Signs of respiratory distress ARDS
Shortness of breath
Fast breathing, or taking lots of rapid,
shallow breaths
Fast heart rate
Coughing that produces phlegm
Blue fingernails or blue tone to the
skin or lips
Extreme tiredness
Fever
Crackling sound in the lungs
Chest pain, especially when trying to
breathe deeply
Low blood pressure
Confusion
Cardiac Exam
Resp Exam
SOB
Investigations Labs
CBC
CMP
BUN/Cr
VBG/ABG
Cardiac enzymes
Troponin
Pro-BNP
Lactate
+/- D-dimer
SOB
Investigations Tests
ECG
POCUS
CXR (portable if unstable)
SOB
General
Monitors
Oxygen
Vitals
IV access
ABCs
SOB
Intubate
If not protecting airway or significant respiratory distress
SOB
Empiric Treatment
Trauma
ATLS guidelines
Decompress tension pneumo
SOB
Empiric Treatment
Anaphylaxis
Epinephrine
Fluids
+/- Antihistamines
+/- Steroids
SOB
Cardiac Causes
see various cardiac sections below
SOB
Empiric Treatment
Asthma/COPD
Oxygen
Bronchodilators
Corticosteroids +/-
Antibiotics
SOB
Empiric Treatment
PE
DOACs as outpatient
LMWH
tPA for massive PE
SOB
Empiric Treatment
Infection
Antibiotics
Steroids of obstructive lung disease
