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Cough (PG)
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Course Curriculum
1. Which of the following is the most common cause of acute cough in primary care?
*
Pneumonia
Viral upper respiratory tract infection
Asthma
Bronchiectasis
2. What red flag symptom associated with cough requires urgent investigation?
*
Dry throat
Wheezing
Cough lasting 3 days
Haemoptysis
3. How long does a typical acute cough last following a viral URTI?
*
1–2 days
3–5 days
Less than 1 week
Up to 3 weeks
4. Which medication is a common cause of chronic dry cough?
*
Beta-blockers
ACE inhibitors
Calcium-channel blockers
Diuretics
5. What is the first-line management of a self-limiting acute cough?
*
Antibiotics
Cough suppressants
Steroids
Reassurance and self-care advice
6. What symptom may suggest whooping cough in an adolescent or adult?
*
Fever and chills
Persistent barking cough
Purulent sputum
Paroxysmal cough with post-cough vomiting
7. Which condition is typically associated with a nocturnal cough?
*
Pneumonia
Bronchiectasis
Pulmonary embolism
Asthma
8. What is the usual cause of a productive cough with yellow or green sputum?
*
Bacterial infection always
Viral or bacterial infection
Asthma
Smoking
9. In chronic cough lasting >8 weeks, which investigation is often considered first?
*
MRI chest
CT chest
Bronchoscopy
CXR
10. What lifestyle advice may help reduce cough in a smoker?
*
Increase physical activity
Take lozenges
Stop smoking
Avoid coffee
11. What type of cough is most commonly associated with postnasal drip?
*
Dry, persistent cough
Haemoptysis
Productive cough with fever
Barking cough
12. Which of the following symptoms would suggest pneumonia in a patient with cough?
*
Sore throat
Apyrexia
Chest pain and high fever
Dry eyes
13. How is an acute cough typically managed when caused by a viral infection?
*
Antibiotics
Bronchodilators
Self-care and symptomatic relief
Oral Steroids
14. Which patient with cough should be referred for a chest X-ray?
*
Persistent cough >3 weeks with no other symptoms
Cough with wheeze
Any smoker aged >40 with haemoptysis
Cough in child under 5
15. Which of the following conditions commonly causes a barking cough in children?
*
Croup
Bronchiolitis
Asthma
Pneumonia
16. What is a common cause of chronic cough in non-smokers with normal chest X-ray?
*
Acid reflux
Pneumonia
Heart failure
Pulmonary embolism
17. Which symptom combination suggests an upper respiratory tract cause for cough?
*
Sneezing, sore throat, and nasal congestion
Wheeze, dyspnoea, and chest tightness
Clubbing, weight loss, cough
Palpitations and cough
18. How is cough variant asthma usually confirmed?
*
CXR
Spirometry or peak flow variability
CT chest
Blood eosinophils
19. What should be avoided in managing viral cough in children under 6 years?
*
Cough syrups
Fluids and rest
Paracetamol
Reassurance
20. What key factor differentiates chronic from acute cough?
*
Cough that resolves within 2 weeks
Cough duration over 8 weeks
Presence of sputum
Presence of haemoptysis