You will determine what history should be collected from the patient, what physical exams and diagnostic tests should be conducted, and formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions.

NURS 6630: Psychopharmacologic Treatment of Psychopathology at Walden University| NURS 6630 – Psychopharmacologic Approaches to Treatment of Psychopathology | Walden University

Introduction:

The patient has coughing symptoms. The objective is to collect the patient’s history, conduct physical exams and diagnostic tests, and formulate a differential diagnosis with several possible conditions.

Patient Information:

Patient is 28 year old woman who has had a persistent cough for four days. The patient says that her cough is producing yellowish sputum and is causing chest discomfort. She does not experience any symptoms of shortness or breath, such as wheezing.

History:

The patient’s history should include questions about the onset of the cough, duration, frequency, and intensity of the cough, presence of any associated symptoms such as fever, chills, night sweats, chest pain, or shortness of breath. The patient’s medical history, allergies, and medication use should also be collected.

The Physical Examination:

The physical examination should include palpation and auscultation of the chest. The patient’s vital signs should also be obtained, including respiratory rate, heart rate, blood pressure, and oxygen saturation.

Diagnostic Tests:

Based on the patient’s symptoms and physical exam findings, several diagnostic tests may be appropriate, including a chest x-ray, sputum culture and sensitivity, complete blood count, and pulmonary function tests. These tests may help determine the cause of the cough.

Differential Diagnosis

Possible differential diagnoses for the patient’s cough symptoms include acute bronchitis, pneumonia, asthma, and COPD. Allergic reactions, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), upper respiratory infections and allergies are all possible causes.

Treatment:

It is important to determine the cause of your cough before deciding on a treatment plan. Antibiotics can be prescribed for acute bronchitis and pneumonia. If you have COPD or asthma, corticosteroids or bronchodilators may be prescribed. If you suspect that the cough may be caused by GERD then medications designed to decrease acid reflux could be prescribed.

Conclusion:

To conclude, a focused examination for a coughing patient involves a thorough history taking, physical exam and appropriate diagnostic testing. This information will allow you to make a correct diagnosis for your patient and decide on the best treatment.