Core Questions

1. Define the following terms:
   1. Dyspnea
   2. Tachypnea
   3. Hyperpnea
   4. Hyperventilation
   5. Dyspnea on exertion
   6. Orthopnea
   7. Paroxysmal Nocturnal Dyspnea
2. What anatomical structures are responsible for controlling respiratory effort?
3. Outline an approach to the history for the dyspneic patient.
4. Detail the physical examination for the dyspneic patient and highlight pivotal exam findings that point to specific pathologies.
5. Outline the differential diagnosis for the patient presenting with dyspnea and highlight 5 critical, 5 emergent, and 5 non-emergent causes of shortness of breath.
6. What ancillary tests are indicated for the dyspneic patient?
7. Detail the utility of point-of-care ultrasound in the assessment of the dyspneic patient.
8. Outline a management algorithm for the acutely dyspneic patient.

Wisecracks

1. List three findings on chest radiograph suggestive of pulmonary embolism.
2. What is the utility of venous blood gas testing and how do its values correlate with that of an arterial blood gas?