W3: Resp & Thorax Questions and Answers with
Complete Solutions UPDATED!!!
differential diagnosis for cough - ANSWER upper airway cough
syndrome, asthma, COPD, pneumonia, acute bronchitis, CHF,
GERD, bronchiectasis, TB, malignancy, & medications
differential diagnosis for dyspnea - ANSWER pneumonia, CHF,
pleural effusions, PE, pneumothorax, restrictive lung disease,
foreign body aspiration
differential diagnosis for wheezing & chest tightness - ANSWER
laryngeal or tracheal obstruction, asthma, acute bronchitis,
COPD, malignancy
differential diagnosis for hemoptysis - ANSWER TB, pneumonia,
malignancy, bronchitis, PE
differential diagnosis for pleuritic pain - ANSWER
costochondritis, pleurisy, trauma, pericarditis, PE, malignancy
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costochondritis - ANSWER pain at the costosternal cartilage site
cause: unknown, trauma (harsh cough)
s/s: pain that increases w/ breathing or chest motion, pain is
reproducible w/ firm pressure
pleurisy - ANSWER inflammation of pleura.
s/s- severe, sudden, sharp pain (may only be w/ cough,
breathing, chest mvmt), pt splints chest & breathes shallow.
may have pleural friction rub, dullness.
upper airway cough syndrome - ANSWER cause- postnasal
discharge
pt will feel need to clear throat frequently, may have s/s of
allergies or URI.
nonproductive cough! may cough up secretion from pharynx.
Asthma patho - ANSWER bronchial hyper-responsiveness,
release of inflammatory mediators, increased secretions,
bronchoconstriction
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Asthma s/s - ANSWER nonproductive cough, chest tightness,
SOB, wheezing
resonant or hyperresonant, decreased tactile fremitus,
decreased voice sounds
Asthma Dx - ANSWER decreased FEV1/FVC
peak flow meters are used to monitor response to treatment
COPD s/s - ANSWER cough w/ scant mucoid sputum, barrel
chest
decreased breath sounds, tactile fremitus, & voice sounds
crackles, wheezes, rhonchi possible
hyperresonant
COPD Dx - ANSWER confirmed: spirometry
CXR: hyperinflated lungs, flattened diaphragm
pneumonia patho - ANSWER inflammation & consolidation of
lung tissue