Respiratory Conditions Overview

Study Notes

Respiratory Conditions Overview

Significant respiratory conditions to understand include basic chest infections, pneumonia, asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, pulmonary embolism, and respiratory distress.

Chest Infections

Types include bronchitis (mostly viral) and pneumonia (mostly bacterial).
Spread via coughing, sneezing, or contact with contaminated surfaces.

High-Risk Groups for Chest Infections

Infants, elderly, overweight individuals, pregnant women, smokers, and those with chronic health conditions.
Weakened immune systems (due to recent illnesses, chemotherapy, or undiagnosed conditions) increase risk.

Basic Chest Infection Symptoms

Persistent cough with yellow/green phlegm or blood.
Breathlessness, rapid/shallow breathing, wheezing, fever, rapid heartbeat, chest pain, and confusion.

Management of Basic Chest Infection

Generally self-treatable, with recovery expected within days to weeks.
Recommend rest, hydration, and over-the-counter painkillers (e.g., paracetamol, ibuprofen).

Pneumonia Pathophysiology

Inhalation of bacteria/viruses causes inflammation; if not resolved, fluid buildup (consolidation) occurs in the lungs.

Clinical Features of Pneumonia

Signs: fever, productive cough, increased respiratory rate, bronchial sounds upon auscultation, and chest pain.
Symptoms: high temperature, tachycardia, and muscle/joint pain.

Management of Pneumonia

Time-critical if patient exhibits significant breathing issues; prompt hospital alert required.
Oxygen therapy aimed at 94-98% SpO2 and the patient positioned for comfort. Monitor vital signs.

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) Pathophysiology

Clots typically form in deep veins (calf), travel up, and can obstruct pulmonary arteries, causing respiratory distress.

PE Clinical Features

Signs and symptoms include dyspnoea, tachypnoea, cough with blood, syncope, and a history of prolonged immobility or risk factors (e.g., obesity).

Management of Pulmonary Embolism

Immediate evaluation for severe symptoms (extreme breathlessness, cyanosis).
Consider oxygen therapy, monitoring vitals, and pre-alerting emergency services.

Bronchitis

Inflammatory condition impacting airways; acute forms caused by infections and chronic forms from long-term damage.
Symptoms include productive cough, dyspnoea, cyanosis, elevated heart rate, and abnormal breath sounds.

Emphysema Overview

Characterized by loss of alveolar elasticity and airway collapse, often resulting in a barrel-shaped chest.
Common symptoms include pursed lip breathing, weight loss, confusion, and increased blood pressure.

Asthma Overview

A prevalent condition that can escalate quickly into life-threatening scenarios; monitoring is crucial.
Incidences can be classified into moderate, severe, life-threatening, and near-fatal.

Asthma Pathophysiology and Triggers

Airways remain inflamed and sensitive, with triggers such as pollen, smoke, dust, pets, and exercise.
Patients encouraged to identify and manage their specific asthma triggers.

Asthma Exacerbation Classifications

Moderate: patient can talk in sentences, stable vitals.
Severe: difficulty with sentences, respiratory rate increased, possible cyanosis.
Life-threatening: silent chest, exhaustion, low oxygen saturation, requiring immediate intervention.

Management of Severe Asthma

High-flow oxygen administration and immediate nebulized treatments.
Quick triage and assessment necessary to deliver timely care, with minimal on-scene time.

Peak Flow Measurement

Key in monitoring asthma: involves five steps to ensure accuracy when blowing into the device, measuring lung function effectively.

Description

This quiz covers significant respiratory conditions, focusing on chest infections like bronchitis and pneumonia. You'll learn about high-risk groups, symptoms, and management strategies for basic chest infections, promoting better understanding and awareness. Test your knowledge on the vital aspects of respiratory health.