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