Respiratory

1. Anatomy of the Respiratory System

• Identify the various areas of the respiratory system and their function
• Be aware of the neuromuscular/neurovascular anatomy of the respiratory system and its surrounding area

2. Development of the Respiratory System

• Be aware of a basic outline of the embryological development of the respiratory system and how this can lead to birth and further developmental defects
• Understand the basic neonatal complications of embryological development

• Understand and define lung ventilation
• Be aware of surfactant, compliance, surface tension and their impact on lung inflation pressures
• Be aware of how certain lung pathologies can affect lung ventilation mechanics

• Understand the principles of Boyle's Law
• Understand the principles of partial pressure in gas exchange
• Understand what determines the partial pressure of oxygen within the alveoli
• Be aware of the factors that can affect diffusion of oxygen into and CO2 out of the alveoli
• Understand the factors that affect the carrying capacity of haemoglobin
• Be aware of how to measure the current oxygen saturation of a patient's blood
• Understand the basics of continuous oxygen delivery to a sick patient

• Understand the role of carbon dioxide within the respiratory system, particularly in regards to its entry into the blood through the lungs and how it is transported around the body
• Understand the role of haemoglobin and carbon dioxide in pH control within the blood 

• Understand how the levels of pO2 and pCO2 can influence breathing rate
• Be aware of the buffering mechanisms and systems in place within the body
• Be aware of the role of chemoreceptors in detecting changes in plasma concentrations
• Be able to interpret an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) 

• Understand how lung function can be assessed quantitatively
• Be able to read and understand spirometry tracing, including the meaning of key terms that correspond to lung function
• Be able to read and interpret flow-volume curves
• Be aware of specialised tests and how they are performed on a basic level

• Define the terms ‘embolus’ and ‘pulmonary embolus’
• Recall the risk factors for a pulmonary embolus
• Understand the pathophysiology behind a pulmonary embolus
• Recall the signs and symptoms of a pulmonary embolus
• State the common investigations and treatment for a pulmonary embolus

• Understand the pathophysiology of asthma
• Be able to identify the symptoms of asthma
• Be able to recall the definition of the various types of asthma exacerbation
• Be able to recall the management guidelines for long-term asthma management

• Understand the diagnosis of COPD and its components
• Understand the progression of the disease, diagnosis and potential treatments
• Be aware of the management of an acute COPD exacerbation

• Be aware of and understand the basic pathology of a host of Lower Respiratory Tract Infections (LRTIs)
• Have a good understanding of the pathophysiology, diagnosis, management and severity scoring of Pneumonia

• Understand the definition, pathophysiology, presentation, investigations, management and complications of Bronchiectasis
• Understand the definition, pathophysiology, presentation, investigations, management and complications of Cystic Fibrosis

• Be aware of the pathophysiology of Tuberculosis and its transmission
• Be able to pick up on the red flags for a potential TB infection
• Be able to identify a lesion with a risk of TB on a chest x-ray
• Be aware of the tests carried out for identifying latent/active TB infections
• Know and recite the management of TB and the side-effects of the potent drugs used in this treatment

• Define and identify a pneumothorax, with basic management
• Be able to identify a pneumothorax from signs
• Define a pleural effusion and be able to identify its cardinal signs on an X-ray

• Recall the statistics regarding Lung Cancer prevalence in the UK
• Understand the symptoms, signs and red flags of Lung Cancer
• Be aware of the types of lung cancer and how these can influence outcome
• Understand the basic principle of a paraneoplastic syndrome and common Lung Cancer-related syndromes
• Be aware of the basics of Lung Cancer staging and management

• Be able to define type 1 vs type 2 respiratory failure and interpret ABG patterns
• Be able to explain common mechanisms and causes (V/Q mismatch, diffusion, hypoventilation)
• Be able to outline initial management and escalation, including oxygen targets and ventilatory support