Asthma diagnosis
Revise variable symptoms, spirometry, bronchodilator reversibility, FeNO, peak-flow variability and when the question is testing diagnostic uncertainty rather than treatment.
MRCGP AKT respiratory revision
Respiratory questions test everyday GP decision-making: which cough needs urgent imaging, which wheeze needs emergency care, whether the spirometry fits asthma or COPD, and whether poor control is really poor inhaler technique.
Quick answer
For AKT respiratory revision, prioritise asthma, COPD, inhaler technique, spirometry, FeNO and peak-flow variability, current NICE/BTS/SIGN asthma guidance, pneumonia severity, lung cancer red flags, sleep apnoea and acute asthma or COPD escalation.
What to revise first
Asthma treatment and reliever safety
Know current NICE/BTS/SIGN concepts around anti-inflammatory treatment, reliever safety, SABA overuse, oral steroid bursts, escalation and when acute asthma is unsafe.
COPD diagnosis
Focus on symptoms, smoking or exposure history, post-bronchodilator spirometry, FEV1/FVC below 0.7, exacerbation history and MRC breathlessness grading.
COPD management
Prioritise smoking cessation, inhaler technique, bronchodilators, when ICS is indicated, pulmonary rehabilitation, vaccinations and oxygen or cor pulmonale red flags.
Pneumonia and acute infection
Use CRB-65 or CURB-65 carefully, then decide whether primary-care treatment, same-day assessment or emergency admission is the safest next step.
Lung cancer and sleep apnoea
Recognise haemoptysis, persistent cough, weight loss, recurrent chest infections, suspected cancer pathways, daytime sleepiness and DVLA risk in sleep apnoea.
Red flags to recognise quickly
- Life-threatening acute asthma: exhaustion, silent chest, cyanosis, confusion or low oxygen saturation
- COPD exacerbation with hypoxia, confusion, severe breathlessness or inability to cope at home
- Haemoptysis, persistent unexplained cough, weight loss or recurrent chest infections
- Suspected pulmonary embolism, collapse or pleuritic chest pain with acute breathlessness
- Pneumonia with sepsis features, low oxygen saturation or high CRB-65 or CURB-65 risk
- Sleep apnoea with severe daytime sleepiness or a driving safety concern
Why respiratory questions catch candidates out
The stem often tests whether you check inhaler technique and adherence before stepping up, whether the spirometry actually proves obstruction, and whether the patient is safe for routine primary-care management. Do not treat respiratory revision as a list of inhalers; treat it as diagnosis, safety and escalation.
AKT respiratory FAQ
Is respiratory health high yield for the MRCGP AKT?
Yes. Respiratory health is a major RCGP clinical topic. AKT questions commonly test asthma, COPD, inhaler technique, spirometry, pneumonia severity, lung cancer red flags, sleep apnoea and acute respiratory escalation.
What respiratory topics should I revise for the AKT?
Prioritise asthma diagnosis and treatment, COPD diagnosis and exacerbations, inhaler technique, spirometry, FeNO and peak-flow variability, pneumonia severity, lung cancer red flags, sleep apnoea and acute asthma or COPD escalation.
How does asthma come up in AKT questions?
Asthma questions often test diagnostic evidence, reliever safety, inhaled corticosteroid use, poor control, inhaler technique, SABA overuse, acute asthma severity and when emergency admission is needed.
What COPD facts are high yield for the AKT?
Know post-bronchodilator spirometry, smoking cessation, MRC breathlessness, exacerbation patterns, inhaler technique, LAMA or LABA use, when ICS is appropriate, pulmonary rehabilitation and oxygen-safety red flags.
Official sources
This is revision guidance, not official RCGP advice. Check current RCGP, NICE CKS and BNF guidance for clinical decisions. Last reviewed June 2026.
October sitting
Oct 26
--
days
Keep moving, even on tired days.
Questions, mocks and explanations are free. Your first 2 hours of AKT audio are free. Full 4-month audio access is £79.