A 35-year-old woman presents with a persistent cough lasting more than three weeks. She reports no fever or hemoptysis, but she does have a history of asthma. Her current medications include an inhaled corticosteroid and a short-acting beta agonist. MCQ: What is the most appropriate next step in the assessment? A) Initiate a course of antibiotics B) Order a chest X-ray C) Increase the dose of her inhaled corticosteroid D) Refer to a pulmonologist Answer: B) Order a chest X-ray Explanation: A chest X-ray is warranted to rule out any serious underlying conditions, such as pneumonia or lung pathology, particularly given the duration of the cough. Overview: Persistent cough requires thorough assessment to determine the underlying cause, which could range from infectious to obstructive or even neoplastic processes.
