Respiratory Medicine — Flashcards

Flashcard 51: Examples of LABAs?

Answer: • Formoterol • Salmeterol

Flashcard 52: Pulse in severe asthma?

Answer: • >110BPM

Flashcard 53: An empyema requires?

Answer: Prompt drainage alongside antibiotic drainage

Flashcard 54: Example of a SAMA?

Answer: • Ipratropium

Flashcard 55: What pCO2 indicates near-fatal acute asthma?

Answer: • pCO2 > 6.0kPa

Flashcard 56: What syndrome can present with dextrocardia and bronchiectasis?

Answer: • Kartagener's syndrome

Flashcard 57: What type of picture would spirometry show for alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency?

Answer: • Obstructive picture FEV1/FVC <70% FEV1 reduced

Flashcard 58: Example of LAMAs?

Answer: • Tiotropium

Flashcard 59: What is the recommended pharmacological management for acute exacerbation of COPD (AECOPD) if there is no purulent sputum or clinical signs of pneumonia?

Answer: Systemic corticosteroids (e.g., Oral Prednisolone for 5 days) and Bronchodilators (SABA/SAMA). Antibiotics are NOT recommended if sputum is non-purulent.

Extra: In AECOPD, the decision to start antibiotics is based on the presence of increased sputum purulence (Anthonisen criteria). If purulence is absent and there are no signs of pneumonia/infiltration, antibiotics can be withheld. Systemic steroids (prednisolone 40mg for 5 days) are recommended to improve FEV1 and reduce recovery time. Ventilation (NIV) is indicated if there is respiratory acidosis (pH <7.35).

Flashcard 60: What acid base disturbance will a panic attack cause?

Answer: • Respiratory alkalosis