Dyspnea resident survival guide
| Dyspnea Resident Survival Guide Microchapters |
|---|
| Overview |
| Causes |
| FIRE |
| Diagnosis |
| Treatment |
| Do's |
| Don'ts |
Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Milan C. Mathew, M.D., M.P.H. [2]
Overview
Dyspnea is the uncomfortable awareness of one's own breathing. It is a common symptom of numerous medical disorders.
Causes
Life Threatening Causes
Life-threatening causes include conditions which may result in death or permanent disability within 24 hours if left untreated.
- Acute heart failure
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Acute papillary muscle rupture
- Acute respiratory distress syndrome
- Anaphylaxis
- Aortic dissection
- Bronchospasm
- Cardiac tamponade
- Foreign body aspiration
- Glottic edema
- Pneumothorax
- Pneumonia
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pulmonary edema
Common Causes
- Acute heart failure
- Acute coronary syndrome
- Asthma
- Anemia
- COPD
- Interstitial lung disease
- Pulmonary embolism
- Pneumonia
- Respiratory tract infection
Click here for the complete list of causes.
FIRE: Focused Initial Rapid Evaluation
A Focused Initial Rapid Evaluation (FIRE) should be performed to identify patients in need of immediate intervention.
Does the patient have any of the following signs and symptoms that require urgent management ❑ Abnormal vital signs
❑ Wheezes ❑ Crackles ❑ Jugular venous distension ❑ Stridor ❑ Tracheal deviation ❑ Absent breath sounds ❑ Distant heart sounds | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Yes | No | Continue with comprehensive diagnostic approach below | |||||||||||||||||||||
Complete Diagnostic Approach
A complete diagnostic approach should be carried out after a focused initial rapid evaluation is conducted and following initiation of any urgent intervention