Cough Flashcards
Module 2B
An acute cough lasts
Less than 3 weeks
What are 2 causes of an acute cough?
Asthma or bacterial sinusitis
How long does a subacute cough last?
3-8 weeks
Post-infectious coughs do not usually last more than
8 weeks
Chronic, persistent coughs last
More than 8 weeks
Smoking can increase the risk of chronic cough by
3x
What is the most common cause of drug-induced cough?
ACEIs
What are less common causes of cough?
Medications, cardiac disease, post-infectious cough, TB, HF
What are uncommon reasons for cough?
Tracheobronchial collapse, sarcoidosis
A patient complains of having a cough for 3 months that occurs twice a year. What do you suspect?
Chronic bronchitis
A patient complains of having a sudden onset that also occurs while lying down, after meals, and causes a sour taste. What do you suspect?
GERD
A patient complains of pink, frothy sputum. On assessment, you hear inspiratory crackles. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Pulmonary edema
A patient complains of rust-colored sputum. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Pneumococcal pneumonia
Pharyngeal erythema with or without cobblestone mucosa and purulent secretions, may be seen in patients with
Sinusitis, upper airway cough, or allergic disease
Expiratory wheezing may be heard in patients with
COPD or asthma
Upper airway cough syndrome (post-nasal drip), asthma, GERD, chronic bronchitis can all be caused by
Cigarette smoking
What 2 diagnostic tests would be ordered by a specialist?
Purified protein derivative and bronchoscopy
If the chest x-ray is normal but further investigation is needed, what other imaging study could be ordered?
CT sinuses
To determine if a cough is related to an obstructive cause, what 2 tests should be performed?
PFT and/or methacholine challenge
If suspecting GERD or GI/esophageal related cough, what 2 tests should be considered?
Barium swallow study or 24 hour pH monitoring
Food diary!
What allergy panel zone would be ordered for a cough?
Allergy panel zone 4
What is the treatment for sinusitis?
Oral decongestants and nasal steroids
Opiates can be used for cough to increase the
Latency threshold of cough
What are 5 complications of chronic cough?
Costochondritis and hemoptysis (strenuous coughing); cough-induced rib fractures (reduced bone density), pneumothorax, emphysematous blebs
