What is the most likely underlying cause?

A 64-year-old man complains of increasing dyspnea and cough for the past 18months. He coughs up a Table mucopurulent sputum with occasional specks of blood.

What is the most likely underlying cause?
A . Acute bronchitis
B . Bronchiectasis
C . Chronic bronchitis
D . Lung cancer
E . Pneumonia

View Answer

Answer: C

Explanation:

Chronic bronchitis. There may be specks of blood in sputum in both bronchiectasis, acute and chronic. Duration of disease is 18 months, so it is not acute bronchitis. Again only one tablespoonful sputum does not term copious sputum of bronchiectasis in which sputum will be much more in amount.