Approach to a cough (acute) Quiz: Ace Your Exams

Get ready to dominate your medical and nursing exams by using our dynamic quizzes to elevate your knowledge and increase your confidence. Whether you're gearing up for the USMLE®, COMLEX®, or your next in-class assessment, Osmosis quizzes tackle key topics in pathology, diagnostics, and treatment approaches. By honing in on clinical readiness and decision-making, we make sure the knowledge you gain empowers you both in the classroom and in real-world practice. Jump in and supercharge your exam prep!

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A 62-year-old woman presents to the emergency department due to shortness of breath for one day and a cough that developed one week ago. The symptoms have continued to worsen, and today she is having difficulty walking up the stairs in her home due to dyspnea. There is no associated chest pain. For the past three weeks, the patient has been using an extra pillow to prop her head up while sleeping at night. She was previously diagnosed with hypertension, but she has not seen a doctor in twenty years. Temperature is 37.3 ºC (99.1 ºF), pulse is 90/min, respiratory rate is 20/min, blood pressure is 170/94 mmHg, and oxygen saturation is 95% on room air. On physical examination, the patient is well-appearing with increased work of breathing. On pulmonary auscultation, there are faint wheezes in multiple lung fields and bibasilar crackles. There are no abnormal heart sounds. There is mild edema to the mid-calf bilaterally. A chest radiograph is ordered, and results shown below. Serum white blood cell count is 9,000/mm3. Which of the following is the best next step in management? 


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