Monday, March 3, 2014

Case 1- Acute Exacerbation of COAD secondary to Community Acquired Pneumonia

89 year old Malay male known case of chronic obstructive airway disease for the past 1 year, was given metered dose inhaler but was non-compliant. He presented with shortness of breath for the past 3 days, associated with productive cough that was whitish-greenish colour. He also complained of loss of appetite for the past 3 days. This is currently his first admisssion. He has no fever, palpitations, chest pain, paroxysmal nocturnal dyspnoea, orthopnoea, nausea or vomiting, bowel or bladder symptoms. He is an active smoker for more than 50 years (1 pack per day).

On examination,
Vital signs:
BP:  124/72 mm Hg
PR: 88 bpm
T: 36.5
RR: 18
SpO2: 97% on nasal prong 3 L Oxygen

General Examination:
Patient looks comfortable, not in respiratory distress.
Noted there was finger clubbing and fine tremor
No pallor, cyanosis, edema

Lung examination:
No trachea deviation
Chest expansion reduced bilaterally
Vocal fremitus reduced
Percussion:
Auscultation: Air entry equal
Vesicular breath sound
Generalised expiratory rhonchi
Prolonged expiratory phase
No crepitations

Other systemic examination non- remarkable

Impression: Acute Exacerbation of COAD secondary to lower respiratory tract infection

Investigations:
Full Blood COunt:
Hb: 12
WBC: 6.5
Plt: 157

Differential:
Neut: 44.2
Lym: 42.4

Renal Profile
Urea: 7.5
Na: 135
K: 4.0
Creat: 72

Chest X-Ray:
hyperinflation at bilateral lung field, flattened diaphragm
reticulonodular shadowing at bibasal lung field.

Provisional Diagnosis: Acute exacerbation of COAD secondary to community acquired pneumonia

Plan:
1. Oxygen supplementation with face mask or nasal prong
2. IV fluids
3. Neb salbutamol with ipratropium bromide
4. IV hydrocorticotisone
5. Start augmentin and azithromycin for infection.
6. Monitor vital signs and SpO2 frequently

In-Ward Management
1.      2-hourly vital signs monitoring, then 4-hourly once stable
2.      Keep patient on nasal prong of 3L of oxygen.
3.      Nebulised Ipratropium bromide: salbutamol: normal saline at ratio of 2:1:1 4-hourly.
4.      Tab. Augmentin 1.2g STAT, then TDS
5.      Tab. Erythromycin 800mg STAT, then BD.
6.      Tab. Prednisolone 30mg OD.
7.      Tab Bisolven 8mg TDS.
8.      MDI Salbutamol 2 puffs PRN
9.      MDI Berodual 2 puffs TDS
To assess MDI technique.

Progress Notes:
Day 2- 3/3/2014
Currently patient’s shortness of breath symptoms has improved. However patient still had productive cough with yellowish sputum. Patient is able to tolerate orally. On examination, Mr. S was still on nasal prong 3L of O2. Vital signs were good. Patient was mildly tachpneic but was able to speak in full sentences. On lung auscultation, there was good air entry. However, there was still prolonged expiratory phase and generalised expiratory rhonchi. Medication plan were continued. Patient’s technique of inhalation of MDI was assessed by the pharmacist and was noted to be poor. Mr. S was counselled on the indication, dose and frequency of MDI, technique and importance of compliance. Patient’s technique was reassessed once again and was still noted to be poor. Pharmacist suggest patient to buy an aerochamber.

Day 3- 4/3/2014
Mr. S did not complain of any shortness of breath anymore. He was able to breathe on his own without the aid of the nasal prong. Nasal prong was removed. SpO2 was 98% under room air. The steroid medication was changed to Tab Prednisolone 30mg OD and the rest of the medications were continued. Patient was not allowed to be discharge due to lungs still having minimal generalised expiratory rhonchi and prolonged expiratory phase.

Day 4-5/3/2014

Currently, patient was comfortable and not tachypneic. Vital signs were good. There were minimal generalised expiratory rhonchi. Patient was able to buy the aerochamber and was taught by the pharmacist on the methods of using it. Patient was allowed for discharged and a memo was written to KK for follow-up and review of symptoms. He was also discharged with medications 
1.    MDI Berodual 2 puffs TDS
2.    MDI Salbutamol 2 puffs PRN
3.    Tab Prednisolone 40mg OD X 2/7
4.    Tab Bisolven 8mg TDS
5.    Tab Augmentin 625mg BD X 4/7
Tab Erythromycin 800mg BD X 2/7

3 comments:

  1. This format of writing notes is unsuitable for a house officer

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    Replies
    1. Sorry Dr. Vela! I was supposed to update it earlier on. I've edited and changed the progress notes. Do have a look and comment where possible. thank you! :)

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  2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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