Respiratory Disorders Charts

Causes of Infectious Rhinitis

Usually viral

Manifestations of Infectious Rhinitis

Nasal congestion, rhinorrhea, sneezing, cough, low-grade fever

Diagnostics of Infectious Rhinitis

History and physical, viral testing if needed

Management of Infectious Rhinitis

Rest, fluids, symptom management, analgesics, decongestants

Causes of Sinusitis

Viral, bacterial, or fungal infection

Manifestations of Sinusitis

Facial pain, headache, purulent nasal drainage, congestion, fever (bacterial)

Diagnostics of Sinusitis

Physical exam, sinus imaging if needed, nasal cultures

Management of Sinusitis

Fluids, analgesics, nasal saline, antibiotics if bacterial

Causes of Laryngitis

Viral infection, irritation, voice overuse

Manifestations of Laryngitis

Hoarseness, loss of voice, sore throat, dry cough

Diagnostics of Laryngitis

History, laryngoscopy if persistent

Management of Laryngitis

Voice rest, hydration, humidification, treat underlying cause

Causes of Epiglottitis

Acute bacterial infection

Manifestations of Epiglottitis

Severe sore throat, drooling, stridor, muffled voice, tripod position, high fever

Diagnostics of Epiglottitis

Direct visualization (performed carefully), imaging

Management of Epiglottitis

Maintain airway, IV antibiotics, possible intubation (medical emergency)

Causes of Laryngotracheobronchitis (Croup)

Viral inflammation

Manifestations of Croup

Barking cough, inspiratory stridor, hoarseness, congestion

Diagnostics of Croup

Clinical presentation

Management of Croup

Humidified air, corticosteroids, nebulized epinephrine if severe

Causes of Influenza

Influenza virus (Types A, B, C); spread by respiratory droplets

Manifestations of Influenza

Abrupt onset of fever, chills, cough, sore throat, congestion, body aches, fatigue, malaise, weakness, dyspnea

Diagnostics of Influenza

History, physical exam, viral assays

Management of Influenza

Hydration, nutrition, rest, analgesics, antivirals when appropriate

Causes of COVID-19

SARS-CoV-2 virus

Manifestations of COVID-19

Fever, cough, dyspnea, fatigue, loss of taste/smell, headache, sore throat, GI symptoms; severe: hypoxemia, cyanosis, ARDS, sepsis

Diagnostics of COVID-19

RT-PCR, NAAT, antigen test, chest X-ray, CT scan, lung ultrasound

Management of COVID-19

Isolation, oxygen therapy, supportive care, antivirals, corticosteroids for severe disease, mechanical ventilation if needed

Causes of Pneumonia

Bacteria, viruses, fungi, aspiration; community or hospital acquired

Manifestations of Pneumonia

Fever, chills, productive or dry cough, purulent/rust-colored sputum, dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, crackles, hypoxemia, confusion (older adults)

Diagnostics of Influenza

Chest X-ray, sputum culture, CBC, pulse oximetry

Management of Influenza

Antibiotics (if bacterial), oxygen, fluids, incentive spirometry, coughing/deep breathing, antipyretics

Causes of Tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (airborne transmission)

Manifestations of Tuberculosis

Persistent cough (>3 weeks), hemoptysis, night sweats, fever, weight loss, fatigue, anorexia, chest pain

Diagnostics of Tuberculosis

Mantoux skin test, IGRA, chest X-ray, sputum AFB smear/culture, PCR

Management of Tuberculosis

Airborne isolation, N95 precautions, multidrug antibiotic therapy, medication adherence

Causes of Pleural Effusion

Heart failure, pneumonia, malignancy, infection, trauma, inflammation

Manifestations of Pleural Effusion

Dyspnea, pleuritic chest pain, diminished breath sounds, dullness to percussion, hypoxemia

Diagnostics of Pleural Effusion

Chest X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan, thoracentesis

Management of Pleural Effusion

Treat underlying cause, thoracentesis (diagnostic & therapeutic), oxygen if needed

Causes of Pneumothorax

Spontaneous rupture, trauma, procedures

Manifestations of Pneomothorax

Sudden chest pain, dyspnea, absent/decreased breath sounds

Diagnostics of Pneumothorax

Chest X-ray, assessment

Management of Pneumothorax

Oxygen, chest tube, monitor respiratory status

Causes of Tension Pneumothorax

Air enters pleural space but cannot escape

Manifestations of Tension Pneumothorax

Severe dyspnea, tracheal deviation, JVD, hypotension, absent breath sounds

Diagnostics of Tension Pneumothorax

Clinical diagnosis (do not delay treatment)

Management of Tension Pneumothorax

Immediate needle decompression followed by chest tube

Causes of Atelectasis

Mucus plug, compression, loss of surfactant; common after surgery

Manifestations of Atelectasis

Dyspnea, hypoxemia, decreased breath sounds

Diagnostics of Atelectasis

Chest X-ray, physical assessment

Management of Atelectasis

Incentive spirometer, cough/deep breathing, early ambulation, pain control

Causes of Pulmonary Embolism

Blood clot (most common), fat embolus, amniotic fluid embolus

Manifestations of PE

Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, anxiety, tachycardia, tachypnea, hemoptysis, cyanosis

Diagnostics of PE

CT pulmonary angiography, D-dimer, ABGs

Management of PE

Oxygen, anticoagulants, thrombolytics (selected patients), embolectomy if severe

Causes of Asthma

Allergens, smoke, infections, exercise, cold air, stress, GERD, genetics

Manifestations of Asthma

Wheezing, dyspnea, chest tightness, cough, accessory muscle use; late: silent chest, hypercapnia, respiratory acidosis

Diagnostics of Asthma

Spirometry, peak flow meter, ABGs during severe attacks

Management of Asthma

Rescue bronchodilators (SABA), corticosteroids, oxygen, avoid triggers, long-term controller medications

Causes of COPD

Smoking (most common), pollution, chronic inflammation

Manifestations of COPD

Progressive dyspnea, chronic cough, sputum production, wheezing, prolonged expiration, hypercapnia

Diagnostics of COPD

Spirometry, ABGs, chest X-ray

Management of COPD

Smoking cessation, bronchodilators, inhaled steroids, pulmonary rehab, oxygen therapy (carefully), vaccinations

Causes of Chronic Bronchitis

Chronic smoking, airway irritation

Manifestations of Chronic Bronchitis

Productive cough ≥3 months for 2 consecutive years, cyanosis, frequent infections, wheezing

Diagnostics of Chronic Bronchitis

Spirometry, chest X-ray

Management of Chronic Bronchitis

Smoking cessation, bronchodilators, steroids, pulmonary rehab, oxygen if needed

Causes of Emphysema

Smoking, alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency

Manifestations of Emphysema

Progressive dyspnea, barrel chest, accessory muscle use, weight loss, clubbing, hypercapnia

Diagnostics of Emphysema

Spirometry, chest X-ray, CT scan

Management of Emphysema

Smoking cessation, bronchodilators, pulmonary rehab, oxygen, breathing exercises

Causes of Lung Cancer

Smoking, secondhand smoke, radon, asbestos, occupational exposure

Manifestations of Lung Cancer

Persistent cough, dyspnea, hemoptysis, weight loss, chest pain, hoarseness, fatigue

Diagnostics of Lung Cancer

Chest X-ray, bronchoscopy, biopsy, CT scan, pulmonary function tests

Management of Lung Cancer

Surgery, chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, targeted therapy, palliative care

Causes of Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome (ARDS)

Sepsis, pneumonia, aspiration, trauma, burns

Manifestations of ARDS

Severe dyspnea, tachypnea, crackles, refractory hypoxemia, confusion

Diagnostics of ARDS

ABGs, chest X-ray, pulse oximetry

Management of ARDS

Mechanical ventilation (PEEP), oxygen, treat underlying cause, supportive ICU care

Causes of Acute Respiratory Failure

ARDS, COPD exacerbation, severe asthma, pneumonia, neuromuscular disorders

Manifestations of Acute Respiratory Failure

Severe dyspnea, hypoxemia, hypercapnia, respiratory distress

Diagnostics of Acute Respiratory Failure

ABGs, pulse oximetry, chest X-ray

Management of Acute Respiratory Failure

Oxygen therapy, ventilatory support, mechanical ventilation if needed, treat underlying cause