Question

A client presents to the clinic with a cough. What should the nurse include in the assessment? Select all that apply.

A. If it is dry, productive, or hacking
B. When it occurs
C. How long the client has had cough
D. What makes it worse or better
E. If there is a fever
F. If here has been any irritant exposure

Answer 1

When assessing a cough, a nurse should consider the cough's characteristics (dry, productive, hacking), timing, duration, exacerbating and alleviating factors, presence of fever, and exposure to irritants.

Step-by-step explanation:

When assessing a client with a cough, it is crucial for the nurse to include the following aspects in their evaluation:

• A. If the cough is dry, productive, or hacking: Characterizing the type of cough can help identify potential underlying conditions.
• B. When the cough occurs: Determining the time of day or activities associated with coughing can reveal triggers and patterns.
• C. How long the client has had the cough: Duration can differentiate between acute and chronic cough, pointing towards different etiologies.
• D. What makes the cough worse or better: Identifying factors that alleviate or exacerbate the cough can assist in diagnosis and management.
• E. If there is a fever: Fever often accompanies infections and systemic inflammation, providing a clue to infectious causes.
• F. If there has been any irritant exposure: Exposure to irritants can cause or worsen a cough, and may indicate environmental or occupational factors.

These elements are vital to obtain a comprehensive health history, which helps in forming a differential diagnosis and guiding subsequent interventions and tests.