You are about to see Mr. Singal in your outpatient clinic. He tells your nurse that he has recently noticed blood in his sputum. Take a focused history concerning his complaint.
History
- Onset, duration, frequency of hemoptysis
- Quality of hemoptysis
- Volume of hemoptysis
- Sputum production and volume
- Distinguishes from hematemesis
- Associated shortness of breath
- Fever
- Chest pain
- Associated B-Symptoms – weight loss, night sweats, chills
- Smoking history (quantity in pack-years)
- Drug use (prescription and other)
- Personal history of lung disease
- Infectious contacts
- Exposure to environmental airborne irritants
- Family history of cancer, especially lung
- TB exposure, including place of birth
- Addresses patient’s concerns as to what caused the bloody sputum
Case 3 – Hemoptysis