Identifying Red Flags of Dyspnea for Junior Doctors
Identifying Red Flags of Dyspnea for Junior Doctors
written and collected by Mohamed Hassan
also, review the local legal regulations
Dyspnea, also known as shortness of breath, is a common symptom that can be caused by a wide range of conditions. As a junior doctor, it’s important to be able to identify the red flags of dyspnea in order to provide appropriate care for your patients.
Some symptoms of particular concern in people with dyspnea include shortness of breath at rest, decreased level of consciousness, agitation or confusion, chest discomfort, weight loss, and night sweats. These symptoms may indicate a more serious underlying condition and should be investigated further.
In addition to these symptoms, there are several other factors that can help you identify red flags of dyspnea. For example, the speed of onset of breathlessness can provide important clues about its underlying cause. Breathlessness can be classified as acute (developing over minutes), subacute (developing over hours or days), or chronic (developing over weeks or months) .
Common cardiac causes of breathlessness include silent myocardial infarction, cardiac arrhythmia, acute pulmonary oedema, and chronic heart failure. Common pulmonary causes include asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, lung cancer, and pleural effusion.
When assessing a patient with dyspnea, it’s important to carry out an initial Airway, Breathing, and Circulation assessment to determine the need for emergency admission. The patient’s blood pressure, pulse rate, respiratory rate, temperature, level of consciousness, and oxygen saturation should be assessed. For patients who do not require emergency admission, a medical history should be taken and cardiovascular, respiratory, and neurological examinations performed. Appropriate investigations should also be arranged.
In summary, as a junior doctor, it’s important to be able to identify the red flags of dyspnea in order to provide appropriate care for your patients. Paying attention to symptoms such as shortness of breath at rest and decreased level of consciousness can help you identify more serious underlying conditions. The speed of onset of breathlessness and the presence of common cardiac or pulmonary causes can also provide important clues about its underlying cause.
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