Resp Differentials

Question 1

Give some non-respiratory causes of cough

Answer 1

GORD
Chronic rhinitis
ACE inhibitors

Question 2

Give some red flag features of a chronic cough

Answer 2

• More than 3 weeks
• Haemoptysis
• Weight loss
• Dyspnoea

Question 3

Give some DDx for haemoptysis

Answer 3

• Resp - malignancy, PE, TB, foreign body

- Non-resp - vasculitis, SLE, Wegener’s, pulmonary venous hypertension (result of LHF)

Question 4

What 4 things could cause consolidation?

Answer 4

Blood
Pus
Fluid
Cells

Question 5

Give some signs of consolidation

Answer 5

• Hyporesonance
• Bronchial breathing
• Increased vocal resonance
• Creps
• Opacity on CXR

Question 6

Give some signs of pleural effusion

Answer 6

• Tracheal deviation away from the affected side
• Reduced chest expansion
• Stony dull percussion
• Decreased breath sounds and vocal resonance

Question 7

Give 3 causes of a transudative pleural effusion

Answer 7

LHF
Liver cirrhosis
Nephrotic syndrome

Question 8

Give 3 causes of an exudative pleural effusion

Answer 8

Cancer
TB/other infection
PE