Discussion:
Respiratory tract disease
A 49-year-old white female presents with a cough (producing yellow-green sputum) that has been going on for 3 days. She has labored breathing even under slight exertion.
History:
The patient is hypertensive and is being treated with metoprolol tartrate (a beta-blocker). She had a urinary tract infection a month previously and was treated with ciprofloxacin (200 mg, three times daily for 5 days). The patient has a 35-year history of smoking a pack per day, but has no evidence of obstructive respiratory disease.
Vitals: BP 100/50
HR 108bpm
temp: 39oC
labored breathing during rest (32 breaths/min)
rales (abnormal sounds) from left lung
chest X-ray indicates infiltration of upper and lower lobes of the left lung
1. What cells produce mucus in the lungs?
2. What does the color of sputum signify for this case?
3. Considering all the symptoms of this case, the chest X-ray means what diagnosis is most probable?
4. What drugs can be given to treat this condition (the answer to the previous question)?