Medical Mnemonic Sketches : Pulmonary Diseases

By Brian R. R. Phillippe M.D. Ph.D.

A Compilation of Mnemonic Sketches and Word Mnemonics, Covering Respiratory Diseases.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Mar 29, 2011
• ISBN: 9781257198337

Book preview

1. GENERAL RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS & SIGNS

Barbiturates cause bradypnea.

Cheyne – Stokes respiration may be seen after trokes (Cerebro-vascular accidents).

Cigarette smoking is by far the most common cause of chronic cough.

Hypopneas are defined as reduction in airflow (<50% baseline).

2. CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (C.O.P.D.)

Mucosal erosion caused by chronic bronchitis is the most common cause of hemoptysis in the U.S.A.

Significant airway obstuction is thought to exist when FEV1 < 1 L

(FEV1=1 L ➔ 5 yr survival).

Oxygen (O2) therapy should not exceed 2 litres/min in patients that retain CO2 (because respiratory drive in these patients depends on their hypoxemia).

COMMENTS ON THE SKETCH

C.O.P.D. is airflow obstruction caused by either chronic bronchitis or emphysema. I always pronounce C.O.P.D., not as discrete initials (C-O-P-D), but as one word (copped) – which makes me think of a police officer (a cop).

The pharmacologic treatment of this disease is much more complicated than that shown in the sketch, comprising bronchodilators (beta agonists, anticholinergics, xanthines), antibiotics, etc.

The pill image ( e9781257198337_i0002.jpg ), shown in this sketch as the police officers’ club, is used extensively in this book to symbolize steroids, as are polyhedral shapes, to symbolize viral infections. The latter symbol is inspired from the polyhedral appearance of bacteriophages in electron microscopy images.

CHRONIC OBSTRUCTIVE PULMONARY DISEASE (C.O.P.D., COP)

e9781257198337_i0003.jpg

2A. BLUE BLOATERS Vs. PINK PUFFERS

THE 1-2-3 RULE

Chronic bronchitis is defined as excess tracheobronchial mucous production resulting in a productive cough that occurs for at least 3 months per 1 year for more than 2 consecutive years (the definition for chronic bronchitis is clinical, whilst that for emphysema is anatomical).

Patients with chronic