A patient who appears emaciated presents to the emergency department with a history of low-grade, intermittent, afternoon fevers; frequent, paroxysmal bouts of coughing; hemoptysis; and night sweats. The following should be considered as part of the differential diagnosis (a list of possible disease states that could account for the observed signs and symptoms):
1) Tuberculosis.
2) Pneumonia.
3) Some types of cancers.
4) Pleuritic chest pain.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The symptoms described are classic for tuberculosis, but pneumonia and some types of cancers (like lung cancer) can also present with similar symptoms such as cough, hemoptysis, and weight loss. Pleuritic chest pain is a symptom, not a disease.

A Patient Who Appears Emaciated Presents to the Emergency Department