RESPI DIFFERENTIAL DX AND TESTS

13 important questions on RESPI DIFFERENTIAL DX AND TESTS

What investigations are appropriate for detecting infections like pneumonia or exacerbation of COPD?

  • Chest X-ray: Consolidation in pneumonia
  • O₂ saturation or ABG: Respiratory failure assessment
  • Sputum and blood culture: Causal infection
  • Respiratory function: COPD quantification
  • WCC, CRP: Inflammation degree

What are the suggestive features on history and examination for acute bronchitis?

  • History:
    • Wheeze
    • Cough
    • Sputum
  • Examination:
    • Wheeze
    • Hyperinflation

How is malignancy in the respiratory system assessed?

  • Chest X-ray
  • CT scan thorax + abdomen
  • Bronchoscopy (central)
  • CT-guided biopsy (peripheral)
  • Respiratory function
Diagnostic values:
  • Masses identification
  • Staging extent
  • Pathology diagnosis
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Describe the features of pneumonia on history and examination.

  • History:
    • Pleuritic pain
    • Rusty sputum
    • Rigors
  • Examination:
    • If lobar, dull to percussion
    • Bronchial breathing

What are the initial investigations for pulmonary fibrosis or interstitial lung disease?

  • Chest X-ray: Bi-basal reticular shadows
  • High-resolution CT thorax: Extent/type of disease
  • Respiratory function: Quantification, restrictive patterns
  • Autoantibodies: Connective tissue disease identification

What are the suggestive features of malignancy related to respiratory problems?

  • History:
    • Insidious onset
    • Weight loss
    • Persisting pain or cough
  • Examination:
    • Cervical lymphadenopathy
    • Clubbing
    • Signs of lobar/lung collapse ± effusion

How is pleural effusion initially investigated?

  • Chest X-ray
  • Ultrasound-guided aspiration
Diagnostic values:
  • Dense basal fluid pool
  • Infection culture
  • Empyema pH
  • Infection low glucose
  • Malignancy cytology
  • Transudate/exudate protein
  • Underyling tumor identification

Explain the features on history and examination of pulmonary fibrosis.

  • History:
    • Progressive dyspnoea
  • Examination:
    • Tachypnoea
    • Inspiratory fine crackles at bases
    • Cyanosis

What diagnostic tools are used for pulmonary embolism?

  • d-Dimer: Negative if no embolism
  • CT pulmonary angiogram: Emboli detection
  • Echocardiogram: Right ventricular strain
  • O₂ saturation or ABG: Respiratory failure assessment

What are the suggestive features on history for pleural effusion?

  • History:
    • Progressive dyspnoea
  • Examination:
    • Unilateral basal dullness
    • Reduced breath sounds

How is asthma evaluated in initial investigations?

  • Respiratory function: Variable obstruction
  • Peak flow diary
  • FEV₁ reversibility: Obstruction reversibility
  • O₂ saturation or ABG: Respiratory failure assessment
  • IgE, allergen skin tests: Allergy stimuli detection

Describe the features of pulmonary embolism.

  • History:
    • Large: Sudden, severe dyspnoea
    • Medium: Pleural pain, haemoptysis
    • Multiple small: Progressive dyspnoea
  • Examination:
    • Large: Normal breath sounds
    • Medium: Pleural rub, swollen leg
    • Small: Raised jugular venous pressure, right ventricular heave, loud pulmonary second sound

What features are suggestive of asthma on history and examination?

  • History:
    • Atopy
    • Hay fever
    • Pet ownership
    • Variable wheeze
    • Disturbance of sleep
  • Examination:
    • Polyphonic expiratory wheeze
    • Eczema

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