Asthma
What is the most common trigger for asthma exacerbations?
Allergens, such as pollen or dust.
What are the two main conditions that comprise COPD?
Chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
What is the most common source of a pulmonary embolism?
Deep vein thrombosis (DVT) from the legs.
What does ARDS stand for?
Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome.
What are the two types of acute respiratory failure?
Hypoxemic and hypercapnic.
What medication is used as a "rescue inhaler" during an asthma attack?
Albuterol (a short-acting beta-agonist).
What is the primary cause of COPD?
Smoking.
What blood test is used to help rule out a pulmonary embolism?
D-dimer
What is a common cause of ARDS?
Sepsis, trauma, or pneumonia.
What blood gas finding indicates hypoxemic respiratory failure?
PaO2 < 60 mmHg.
What is the name of the lung function test used to diagnose asthma?
Spirometry.
Name a common symptom of COPD.
Chronic cough or dyspnea (shortness of breath).
What physical sign might you see in a patient with a large PE?
Tachycardia (rapid heart rate) or cyanosis (bluish skin discoloration).
What imaging finding is commonly associated with ARDS?
Dense infiltrates on chest X-ray (often described as "ground-glass" lungs)
What is the primary treatment for hypercapnic respiratory failure?
Non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (CPAP or BiPAP) or intubation.
Name two long-term control medications used in asthma management.
Inhaled corticosteroids and long-acting beta-agonists (LABAs).
What is the primary difference between the management of COPD and asthma?
COPD management focuses more on smoking cessation and oxygen therapy, while asthma focuses on allergen avoidance and inhalers.
What is the first-line treatment for a stable patient with PE?
Anticoagulation, such as heparin
What is the primary treatment strategy for ARDS?
Mechanical ventilation with low tidal volumes and PEEP (positive end-expiratory pressure).
What underlying condition is often associated with hypercapnic respiratory failure?
COPD.
What is status asthmaticus, and how is it treated?
It is a severe, life-threatening asthma attack that doesn't respond to typical treatments. It is treated with aggressive bronchodilators, systemic corticosteroids, and possibly intubation.
What is the imaging study that is used to detect a DVT and the imaging study to detect a PE?
DVT- ultrasound
PE- CTPE
Name the 3 phases of ARDS.
1. exudative
2. fibrosing
3. resolution
Name three clinical signs of respiratory failure.
Tachypnea, cyanosis, accessory muscle use, altered mental status.