Question

Acute bronchitis.... Explain the pathophysiology of the disease Discuss common clinical manifestations List differential diagnoses Determine which lab tests would confirm the diagnosis and expected results Analyze a current protocol for treatment and discuss how the treatment works from the pathophysiological perspective

Answer 1

Acute bronchitis: Inflammation of the bronchial walls leading to breathing difficulty, cough 5 to 20 days

Clinical manifestations:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Persistent cough for 5 days or more
• Nasal congestion
• Low grade fever
• Headache
• Running nose
• Productive cough
• Sore throat

Diagnosis and lab test:

• Patient history
• Physical examination
• PFT
• Auscultation
• Pulse oximetre test
• CRP
• Rapid Influenza test
• Pertussis PCR

Differential disease:

• COPD
• sinusitis
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• CHF

Pathophysiology:

Causative agent>> trigger the bronchial cells>>inflammation>> difficulty breathing>>increased mucus secretion>>cough

Treatment

• Bronchodilator
• Mucolytic
• Cough expectorant
• NSAIDS

Other

Increase fluid intake

No caffeine

No alcohol

Avoid allergens