Cough Flashcards
(16 cards)
What is a cough?
The body’s protective reflex action to clear the airways of foreign bodies
E.g., mucus, dust, etc.
What are the two main types of cough?
- Productive (chesty) cough
- Non productive (dry, tight, tickly) cough
What does a productive (chesty) cough produce?
Sputum
What does clear or whitish sputum usually indicate?
No infection; known as mucoid
What may colored sputum indicate?
A more serious condition, e.g., respiratory infection
What is an acute cough?
Less than 3 weeks
What is a chronic cough?
More than 3 weeks
Fill in the blank: A non productive cough is characterized by _______.
[no sputum]
What does bright red sputum indicate?
Burst blood vessel
Bright red sputum can signal a rupture in a blood vessel, leading to bleeding in the respiratory tract.
What does light pink, frothy mucus suggest?
Heart failure
Light pink, frothy mucus is often a sign of pulmonary edema associated with heart failure.
What does dark red sputum indicate?
Carcinoma
Dark red sputum can be a symptom of lung cancer, requiring further investigation.
What does rusty brown, blood-stained phlegm suggest?
Pneumonia
Rusty brown sputum is commonly associated with pneumonia, particularly lobar pneumonia.
What does mucoprulent sputum indicate?
Viral infection
Mucoprulent sputum typically suggests a viral respiratory infection.
What does foul-smelling sputum indicate?
Lung abscess
Foul-smelling sputum can be a sign of a lung abscess, often due to bacterial infection.
What is the significance of sputum color in differential diagnosis?
Indicates infection or other conditions
The color of sputum can provide critical clues in diagnosing respiratory conditions and infections.
Treatment for cough
