You have been caring for a 59-year-old Caucasian female for thepast few years in your primary care clinic. Today she presents witha cough that has been present for the past few months. A review ofher social history indicates a 40-year-pack history of smoking. Shedenies a history of emphysema or chronic bronchitis. Her pastmedical history is positive for hyperlipidemia, hypertension, andprediabetes. Her current medications include: atorvastatin 80 mg atbedtime, lisinopril 10 mg once a day, and metformin 500 mg twice aday. After using the PQRST method to collect a history of thepresent illness, you are considering referral to a specialist.
1. After collecting more information about her cough using thePQRST method, you are concerned that her cough is respiratory innature. What information would you have gathered in the history ofpresent illness to make you suspect this? How would you report yourconcerns? What symptoms would you highlight? What diagnostictesting would you want them to consider?
