16 Questions
Which of the following viruses is a cause of acute bronchitis?
Influenzae virus
What is the characteristic of sputum production in acute bronchitis?
Off-white, yellow or green, and opaque
What is a feature of complicated chronic bronchitis?
Two or more disease-associated risk factors
Which of the following is a characteristic of chronic bronchitis?
Cough for at least 3 consecutive months for 2 years
What is the feature of microbiologic tests in acute bronchitis?
Generally of limited use
What is a risk factor for complicated chronic bronchitis?
Use of immunosuppressant
Which of the following is a bacterial cause of acute bronchitis?
All of the above
What is a feature of simple chronic bronchitis?
No major risk factors and sputum flora reflects the common associated pathogens
What is the main difference between bronchitis and bronchiolitis?
Bronchitis is an inflammatory condition of the large elements of the tracheobronchial tree, while bronchiolitis is an inflammatory condition of the small elements
What is the most common cause of acute bronchiolitis?
Respiratory syncytial virus
What is a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)?
Chronic bronchitis
What happens to the bronchial secretions in bronchitis?
They increase
What is the effect of chronic inhalation of an irritating noxious substance on the bronchial mucosa?
It compromises the normal secretory and mucociliary function
What is the result of damage to the respiratory epithelium in bronchitis?
It impairs the mucociliary actions
What is the characteristic of bronchial walls in chronic bronchitis?
They are thick
What is the age group most commonly affected by bronchiolitis?
Infants during their first year of life
Study Notes
Bronchitis and Bronchiolitis
- Bronchitis is an inflammatory condition of the large elements of the tracheobronchial tree.
- Bronchitis usually affects older children and adults.
- Chronic bronchitis is a component of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Bronchitis Pathophysiology
- Infection of the trachea and bronchi leads to hyperemic and edematous membranes, increased bronchial secretions, and damage to the respiratory epithelium.
- Damage to the respiratory epithelium can be mild or severe.
- Increased bronchial secretions may impair mucociliary actions.
- Thickening of the bronchial wall is present, and there is an increased number of mucus-secreting goblet cells in smaller bronchi.
Bronchitis: Most Common Pathogens
- Viruses are the most common cause of acute bronchitis.
- Rhinovirus, coronavirus, influenza virus, and adenovirus are common viral pathogens.
- Less frequent bacterial causes include Mycoplasma pneumoniae, Chlamydophila pneumoniae, and Bordetella pertussis.
- Acute exacerbations of chronic bronchitis are often caused by H. influenzae, M. catarrhalis, S. pneumonia, and gram-negative pathogens such as E. coli, Enterobacter species, and Klebsiella species.
Clinical Presentation: Acute Bronchitis
- Cough is a common symptom, initially nonproductive, then productive with mucopurulent sputum.
- Fever is rare.
- Symptoms are more pronounced in patients with underlying lung disease.
- Microbiologic tests are generally of limited use.
Clinical Presentation: Chronic Bronchitis
- Mild to moderate cough with increased sputum production for at least 3 consecutive months for 2 years.
- Simple chronic bronchitis is characterized by no major risk factors and sputum flora reflects the common associated pathogens.
- Complicated chronic bronchitis refers to patients with two or more disease-associated risk factors, such as FEV1, home oxygen use, underlying cardiac disease, use of immunosuppressant, and use of antibiotics for an exacerbation within the past 3 months.
Test your knowledge on bronchitis and bronchiolitis, two inflammatory conditions affecting the tracheobronchial tree, with this quiz.
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