This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Presenting features of acute exacerbations

Authoring team

Exacerbations in patients may differ widely. Some patients may have mild episodes which are usually managed at home while some may face life-threatening events necessitating ventilatory support and a prolonged hospital stay (1)

There is no single defining symptom of an exacerbation.

  • worsening of previous stable condition
  • increased wheeze
  • increased dyspnoea
  • increased sputum volume
  • increased sputum purulence
  • chest tightness
  • fluid retention
  • reduced exercise tolerance
  • increased fatigue (1)

Chest pain and fever are uncommon and if present should prompt a search for other aetiologies (1).

The following signs can be considered as signs of a severe exacerbation:

  • marked dyspnoea
  • tachypnoea
  • purse lip breathing
  • use of accessory muscles (sternomastoid and abdominal) at rest
  • acute confusion
  • new onset cyanosis
  • new onset peripheral oedema
  • marked reduction in activities of daily living (2)

Reference:


Create an account to add page annotations

Annotations allow you to add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation. E.g. a website or number. This information will always show when you visit this page.

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.