Dyspnea
When obtaining a history what is the most important distinction to make prior to populating a differential diagnosis?
acute vs chronic
What are the causes of acute dyspnea related to pulmonary dysfunction?
asthma airway obstruction pe pneumonia pneumothorax airway irritants
What is the differential diagnosis for cough?
bronchitis asthma pneumonia airway irritation
What test can be used to determine the physiological limits of exercise?
cardiopulmonary exercise testing
In chronic dyspnea, what additional test should be ordered?
cbc for anemia
What are two other causes of chronic dyspnea not related to cardiac or pulmonary etiology?
chronic anemia obesity
What are the causes of chronic dyspnea related to pulmonary dysfunction?
copd interstitial lung disease pleural effusions pulmonary hypertension neuromuscular disease severe kyphoscoliosis
In the event of acute dyspnea, what are the 5 symptoms that will help guide your differential diagnosis?
cough hemoptysis sputum production pleuritic pain visceral chest pain
What are three tests used to evaluate a patient presenting with acute onset dyspnea?
cxr abgs helical ct
What is the differential diagnosis for hemoptysis?
pe bronchitis pneumonia
Dyspnea can arise from abnormalities in these systems:
pulmonary cardiac hematologic musculoskeletal
In the setting of chronic dyspnea, what historical features should be questioned?
smoking cardiac history environmental exposure
Which physical exam findings are important to look for when evaluating the patient with acute dyspnea?
tracheal deviation stridor wheezing rales, s3, jvd leg swelling or pain
Among outpatients what are the four most commonly encountered causes of dyspnea?
heart failure copd asthma anxiety
What are the causes of chronic dyspnea related to cardiac dysfunction?
heart failure restrictive pericarditis
What are the causes of acute dyspnea related to cardiac dysfunction?
heart failure tamponade
What are two other causes of dyspnea that are less common in presentation?
high altitude hemolysis
Which physical exam findings are important to look for when evaluating the patient with chronic dyspnea?
hyperexpansion fixed split s2, rt ventricular heave, jvd rales