Nr576 Nr 576 Differential Diagnosis

1 / 14 1. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Cardiac: 2. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Metabolic: 3. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Upper Airway: 4. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Pulmonary: 5. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Neurological: 6. Life-Threatening Causes of Acute Dyspnea: Other Causes: 7. Physical exam signs in patients presenting with dyspnea: Cyanosis, impend- ing respiratory failure and/or depressed mental status 8. Pneumothorax: -Gas or air becomes trapped within the pleural space by a breach in the lung surface or chest wall. -As air accumulates within the space, the lung compresses (collapses) the lung and causes impaired oxygenation or ventilation. 9. Upper Respiratory Infection: common conditions caused by a viral infection of the respiratory tissue. This leads to inflammation of one or more parts of the upper respiratory tract (sinuses, nasal mucosa, pharynx, and larynx). Specific manifesta- tions of URIs are based on the location of infection and include sinusitis, rhinitis, pharyngitis, and laryngitis.2 / 14 Common symptoms of URIs include stuffy or runny nose, sore throat, cough, difficulty swallowing, and hoarseness or loss of voice. 10. Bronchitis: Chronic bronchitis is a long-term respiratory condition that affects the bronchi and bronchioles (small air passages) of the