Breathlessness

Question 1

key things to Ex for in SOB?

Answer 1

• wheeze
• stridor
• crepitations
• chest clear
• tracheal deviation
• pain
• stony dullness

Question 2

key Ix in SOB?

Answer 2

• obs
• peak flow
• ABG if O2 <94, or concern about sepsis, acidosis, drugs
• ECG (PE, LVH, MI)
• CXR
• bloods (FBC, U+E, glucose)

Question 3

ΔΔ SOB and wheeze?

Answer 3

• asthma
• COPD
• HF
• anaphylaxis

Question 4

ΔΔ SOB and stridor?

Answer 4

• FB/tumour
• croup
• acute epiglottitis
• anaphylaxis
• trauma

Question 5

ΔΔ SOB and crepitations?

Answer 5

• HF
• pneumonia
• bronchiectasis
• PF

Question 6

ΔΔ SOB and chest clear?

Answer 6

• PE
• hyperventilation
• DKA (metabolic acidosis)
• anaemia
• salicylate poisoning
• also: (shock, p.jirovecii pneumonia, CNS)

Question 7

ΔΔ SOB and pain, resonance +/- tracheal deviation?

Answer 7

pneumothorax +/- tension

Question 8

ΔΔ SOB and stony dullness?

Answer 8

pleural effusion