Cough Flashcards
A 35-year-old male is at your office today because he is experiencing a cough with some sputum, dyspnea, and nasal congestion over the last few days. He does not have a fever. He does experience some chest-wall pain with his cough. He is otherwise healthy and taking no regular medications. He is a non-smoker. On examination, he looks well; his vital signs and oxygen saturation are normal. Lung auscultation reveals rhonchi. You suspect he has acute bronchitis.
What is the most common cause of this condition?
Viral infection
(does not need to be more specific than above)
The most commonly identified viruses are rhinovirus, enterovirus, influenza A and B, parainfluenza, coronavirus, human metapneumovirus, and respiratory syncytial virus.
A 35-year-old male is at your office today because he is experiencing a cough with some sputum, dyspnea, and nasal congestion over the last few days. He does not have a fever. He does experience some chest-wall pain with his cough. He is otherwise healthy and taking no regular medications. He is a non-smoker. On examination, he looks well; his vital signs and oxygen saturation are normal. Lung auscultation reveals rhonchi. You suspect he has acute bronchitis.
List three indications for ordering a CXR.
Bloody or rusty sputum Tachypnea Tachycardia Fever Focal consolidation on exam
A 35-year-old male is at your office today because he is experiencing a cough with some sputum, dyspnea, and nasal congestion over the last few days. He does not have a fever. He does experience some chest-wall pain with his cough. He is otherwise healthy and taking no regular medications. He is a non-smoker. On examination, he looks well; his vital signs and oxygen saturation are normal. Lung auscultation reveals rhonchi. You suspect he has acute bronchitis.
What is the mainstay of treatment for this condition?
Supportive care
Symptom Management
A 35-year-old male is at your office today because he is experiencing a cough with some sputum, dyspnea, and nasal congestion over the last few days. He does not have a fever. He does experience some chest-wall pain with his cough. He is otherwise healthy and taking no regular medications. He is a non-smoker. On examination, he looks well; his vital signs and oxygen saturation are normal. Lung auscultation reveals rhonchi. You suspect he has acute bronchitis.
He insists that he needs antibiotics in order to get better. You think this is unnecessary. List three strategies physicians can use to reduce antibiotic use
Delayed prescription strategies
Address patient concerns in a compassionate manner
Explain that antibiotics are associated with adverse effects and contribute to antibiotic resistance
Discuss the treatment plan including the use of non-antibiotic medications to control his symptoms
Describe the infection as a viral illness
Ref: CFPC Self-Learning Vol 32.1 (Feb 2017)
