Download - RS 211- emphysema.pptx
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Uncovering Emphysema
By: Karen Finn
Topics for Discussion
What is COPD?
What is emphysema?
What are the signs and symptoms?
What causes emphysema?
What are the possible complications of emphysema?
How do doctors diagnose emphysema?
Chest X-ray
What are the treatments for emphysema?
COPD
Type of COPD Severe shortness of breath Airways are partially blocked Usually from smoking Can't undo the damage to your lungs Treatments can help you breathe easier
What is Emphysema?
Air sacs in your lungs are gradually destroyed
Turns the spherical air sacs into gaping holes
Slowly destroys the elastic fibers
http://health9.org/emphysema/
Normal Alveoli vs Alveoli with Emphysema
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/emphysema.html
Signs and Symptoms
May experience no symptoms for many years
Dyspnea/shortness of breath
Whizzing
Chest tightness
Poor sleeping habits Less common
What doctors look for when diagnosing patients with
Emphysema
Barrel chest
Clubbing
Pursed-lip breathing
Polycythemia
Hypercarbia
Cyanosis
Malnutrition
Examples
http://quizlet.com/5064517/respiratory-pathology-flash-cards/
http://blog.copdfoundation.org/pursed-lip-breathing/
http://meded.ucsd.edu/clinicalmed/lung.htm
Pursed-lip breathing Cyanosis
What are the causes of emphysema?
Long-term, regular tobacco smoking
Exposure to air pollutions, factory fumes, coal and silica dust
What are the possible complications of
emphysema?
Pneumothorax
Cor pulmonale
Giant bullae
Recurring infections
Pulmonary hypertension
Diagnosing Emphysema
Physical examination and ask some questions
Smoking status and history
Suffers from shortness of breath
What makes shortness of breath worse
Whether there is a cough
Patient's medical history
Family history of lung disease
Diagnostic Testing
Chest X-ray
CT
Blood test
Lung function tests Spirometry
Spirometry
http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/copd/diagnosis.html
Positioning Criteria for a PA chest
Film size: 14 x 17
Exposure: 110-125 kVp range
SID 72”
Top of receptor 2” above shoulders
CR directed at midsagittal plane at T7 level
IR is centered to CR
Shoulders rotated forward- moves scapulae laterally to clear lung field
Shoulders depressed downward to move clavicles below apices
Double inhalation
Positioning Criteria for a lateral chest?
Sid 72”
CR perpendicular to midthorax level at T7 level
Top of receptors 2” above shoulders
Left side closest to IR
Arms elevated above head
Double inhalation
Looking at a chest x-ray
Bilaterally hyperlucent lungs of large volume
Flattened hemidiaphragms with widened costophrenic angles
Narrow mediastinum
Flattening of the anterior diaphragmatic angle
Treatment of Emphysema
Stop smoking
Bronchodilators
Steroid aerosol sprays
Antibiotics
Rehabilitation techniques
Oxygen
Surgery
Lung transplant