Question 1

A patient recovering from a viral infection has a persistent cough 6 weeks after the infection. What will the provider do?&#10;A) Perform chest radiography to assess for secondary infection&#10;B) Perform pulmonary function and asthma challenge testing&#10;C) Prescribe a second round of azithromycin to treat the persistent infection&#10;D) Reassure the patient that this is common after such an infection

Accepted Answer

Persistent cough after a viral infection is common and often resolves on its own. Reassurance is typically the first step unless there are other concerning symptoms.

Question 2

A young adult patient develops a cough persisting longer than 2 months. The provider prescribes pulmonary function tests and a chest radiograph, which are normal. The patient denies abdominal complaints. There are no signs of rhinitis or sinusitis and the patient does not take any medications. What will the provider evaluate next to help determine the cause of this cough?

A) 24-hour esophageal pH monitoring
B) Methacholine challenge test
C) Sputum culture
D) Tuberculosis testing

B

Accepted Answer

B

Question 3

A nonsmoking adult with a history of cardiovascular disease reports having a chronic cough without fever or upper airway symptoms. A chest radiograph is normal. What will the provider consider initially as the cause of this patient's cough?

A) ACE inhibitor medication use
B) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease
D) Psychogenic cough

A

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors are known to cause a chronic cough as a side effect, especially in patients with cardiovascular disease, and should be considered initially when other symptoms are absent and the chest radiograph is normal.

Deck 87: Chronic Cough