Case 28 Aquifer With Complete
Solutions Updated 2024
Define dyspnea - ✔✔Dyspnea is defined as an uncomfortable awareness of breathing.
Any problem in the mechanical system of breathing can trigger dyspnea, including (but
not limited to):
blockage in the nose, fluid in the alveoli, irritation of the diaphragm.
What are cardiac causes of dyspnea? - ✔✔Congestive heart failure (CHF), coronary
artery disease (CAD), dysrhythmia, pericarditis, acute myocardial infarction
What are hematologic causes of dyspnea? - ✔✔Anemia
What are pulmonary causes of dyspnea? - ✔✔Obstructive lung disease: COPD, asthma,
bronchitis
Diseases of lung parenchyma & pleura: pneumonia, pleural effusion, cancer involving
the lungs, pneumothorax, pulmonary edema, restrictive lung disease, interstitial lung
disease
Pulmonary vascular disease: pulmonary embolism, pulmonary hypertension
Obstruction of the airway: GERD with aspiration, foreign body aspiration
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Environmental irritants and allergens: dust or chemical
What are psychogenic causes of dyspnea? - ✔✔Panic attacks and hyperventilation
What are other causes of dyspnea? - ✔✔Deconditioning, neuromuscular conditions
(ALS, MG, GBS), metabolic (carbon monoxide, anion / non anion gap acidosis)
Define orthopnea - ✔✔Dyspnea which occurs when lying flat, forcing the person to
have to sleep propped up in bed or sitting in a chair. It is commonly measured
according to the number of pillows needed to prop the patient up to enable breathing
(Example: "three pillow orthopnea").
Define paroxysmal noctural dyspnea - ✔✔- Sudden, severe shortness of breath at night
that awakens a person from sleep, often with coughing and wheezing.
- It is most closely associated with congestive heart failure.
- PND commonly occurs several hours after a person with heart failure has fallen
asleep. PND is often relieved by sitting upright, but not as quickly as simple orthopnea.
Also unlike orthopnea, it does not develop immediately upon lying down.
What's the difference b/w acute vs chronic bronchitis? - ✔✔Acute: Productive cough
lasting 1-3 weeks
Chronic: Productive cough for at least three months for the past two years
What are classic findings of COPD physical exam? - ✔✔- Increased anteroposterior (AP)
diameter of the chest - Decreased diaphragmatic excursion
Katelyn Whitman© 2025, All Rights Reserved.