Respiratory System and Lung Disease

What this unit covers

This unit sits in the Respiratory Medicine strand of Internal medicine, pathology and clinical semiology. It is mostly mind maps, with quizzes, flashcard decks and notes alongside. The topics run across obstructive disease, restrictive disease, infection, pleural problems, sleep apnoea, respiratory failure and lung cancer.

Where to start

Begin with the mind maps on the big conditions. The Interstitial Lung Disease map covers definition, classification, investigation, signs, history taking, PFT, IPF and sarcoidosis. The COPD map sets out emphysema and chronic bronchitis, with airflow limitation as the major physiological change. The cystic fibrosis map covers epidemiology, pathophysiology and clinical features, and the Bronchiectasis map explains permanent dilation of the bronchi.

For symptoms and presentations, look at these maps:

• Acute Bronchitis
• Pneumothorax
• Hemoptysis
• Respiratory Failure
• Spirometry

Using maps and quizzes together

Read a map first, then test yourself straight away. The extended matching quiz on the respiratory clinic starts with an 18-year-old with wheeze and hyperresonant lungs, so it asks you to reason from signs. The Pulm remedition practice quizzes include clubbing and a 64-year-old smoker with weight loss. The Exemplar quiz on COPD asks how you would explain stage 1 disease to a patient. Note which questions you miss, then return to the matching map.

Flashcards and notes

Flashcard decks suit short recall sessions. The Pulmonology - Diseases deck covers community acquired pneumonia, including clinical features and laboratory findings. The Step 3- Pulmonary deck is one of the resources that mentions USMLE. Notes such as the COPD note on barrel chest help with the physical examination side.

Make it your own

Every resource here was made by GoConqr users, and all of it is free to open. Choose one condition this week, work through its map and quiz, then build a short deck of your own for the points you keep forgetting.