L.B. is a 40-year-old woman who is being seen in the clinic with complaints of a dry, hacking cough for the past 6 weeks
As the intake nurse, what routine information do you want to obtain from L.B.?
L.B.'s chief complaint is a cough. What are the main causes of chronic cough, and what
questions should you ask to elicit information about each cause?
• Vital signs (VS), including oximetry
• Personal and family history
• Medications
• Allergies, skin conditions
• Description of her symptoms: location, quality, quantity, timing, setting, factors that aggravate or
relieve them, associated symptoms
• Whether she has ever experienced these symptoms before
Asthma
• Do you have allergies or sinus problems?
• Do you have chronic drainage down the back of your throat?
• Do you have a tickle in your throat?
• Do you clear your throat a lot?
Postnasal Drip
• Do you experience acid reflux (does stomach acid come up into your throat)?
• Is the heartburn worse after you eat certain foods or beverages, go to bed within 4 hours of eating
a meal, exercise too soon after eating, or overeat?
• How often do you take antacids or some type of stomach medication?
• Do the antacids help your cough?
Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease
• Have you ever smoked?
• Do you currently smoke?
• How many packs did you smoke, and how many years have you smoked?
Chronic Bronchitis
• How long have you had this cough?
• Do you cough up anything?
• Have you had a productive cough at least 3 months of the year for 2 consecutive years?
Chronic Bronchitis
• What medications do you take?
• Did your cough begin after starting any medication?
Post–Respiratory Infection
• Did your cough begin during or immediately after a respiratory infection?
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