AHN 568
Asthma - ANSWERS-family history of allergies, atopy, or asthma, cough more
likely to be a symptom of asthma in adults. recurrent cough minimally or not
productive. associated with SOB. aggravated by exercise and may be worse during
seasonal allergies. associated with bil. wheezing. diagnosis PFT, response to
isoproterenol and methacholine.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) - ANSWERS-elderly patients.
associated SOB. physical findings of hyperresonant lungs to percussion,
auscultation reveals distant BS, scattered rhonchi, wheezes, or prolonged
expiration. PFT
Chronic bronchitis - ANSWERS-most common cause of chronic cough in adults.
may be minimally productive, often worse in morning. Stop smoking. scattered
rhonchi.
Nonspecific cough - ANSWERS-patients with hypertension, HF or other condition
ACE inhibitor prescribed. cough not productive. aggravated by ingestion of ACE
inhibitor
CHF - ANSWERS-elderly patients present differently, may have only chronic cough.
cough often nocturnal. associated with dyspnea on exertion, paroxysmal
nocturnal dyspnea. aggravated by recumbency and exercise. alleviated by
diuresis. findings of rales, pitting edema, tachy, gallop. diagnostics CXR, potent
diuretic for 2-3 days, EF
, GERD with cough - ANSWERS-usually adults. irritative, nonproductive cough.
associated with heartburn and eructation. aggravated by recumbency, ingestion
of chocolate, caffeine, alcohol or exercise. alleviated by antireflux, diet, drugs, and
elevating HOB. no physical findings. diagnostics upper GI radiograph,
esophagoscopy, esophageal pH monitoring.
viral or bacterial gastroenteritis - ANSWERS-all ages. abrupt onset lasts less than 1
week, no symptoms of other organs, most common cause of diarrhea adults:
benign, self limiting, children: may lead to severe dehydration. associated with
n/v, fever, crampy abd pain. findings of hyperactive peristalsis, fever. diagnostics
stool culture
Rotavirus - ANSWERS-Most common in infants younger than 3 years. peak in
winter. acute diarrhea.
salmonella, shigella - ANSWERS-peak children 1-4 years. diagnostics stool culture.
acute diarrhea
laxatives - ANSWERS-mostly women. diarrhea, muscle weakness, lassitude.
alleviated by stopping drugs. diagnostics proctoscopy, stool sodium hydroxide test
for phenolphthalein, barium enema, hypokalemia. drug induced diarrhea
antibiotics - ANSWERS-taking antibiotics. mild, watery diarrhea. nonspecific,
crampy abd pain, low grade fever. aggravating factors ampicillin, tetracycline,
lincomycin, chloramphenicol, clindamycin.