FNP Board review questions with correct answers

A 24-year old, otherwise healthy college student presents with c/o cough x 6 weeks. She has tried several OTC cough meds with no improvement. What is the most important information to consider when building your differential diagnoses? A) Her age B) Family hx C) Ineffectiveness of OTC cough medicines D) Length of time she has been coughing CORRECT ANSWER D) Length of time she has been coughing Why? This information helps you build your ddx Acute cough < 3 weeks: bronchitis, sinusitis, PND, exacerbation of COPD/asthma, pneumonia, pulmonary embolism Chronic cough (>8 weeks) GERD and Asthma are most common causes, also consider infection (e.g. pertussis, atypical pneumonia), ACE inhibitors, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, lung ca) According to the CDC, what drug class is considered first-line treatment for pertussis? A) Sulfonamide B) Tetracycline C) Macrolide