Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) Basic Certification Practice Exam

What symptom is most often associated with a productive cough in bronchitis patients?

1. Fever

2. Pink complexion

3. Clubbing nails

4. Jugular venous distension

The correct answer is: Clubbing nails

A productive cough in bronchitis is typically characterized by the production of mucus or phlegm from the respiratory tract. The common symptoms that accompany bronchitis include inflammation of the bronchi, which can lead to various signs, including coughing, wheezing, and sometimes fever. Fever is a common symptom in many infections and inflammatory conditions, including bronchitis, but it is not specifically associated with the productive cough itself. A pink complexion is not generally indicative of bronchitis or a productive cough; it may suggest other conditions, such as certain circulatory or dermatologic issues. Jugular venous distension is usually related to heart failure or fluid overload and is not characteristic of bronchitis. Clubbing of the nails is a physical finding that may suggest chronic respiratory or cardiovascular conditions but is not typically associated with acute bronchitis. In cases of chronic bronchitis or other long-term lung diseases, clubbing may develop over time and indicate chronic hypoxia or other issues, but it is not a direct symptom of the productive cough seen in acute bronchitis. Therefore, the focus on the productive cough in bronchitis highlights inflammation and mucus buildup, marking clubbing nails as an associated finding in chronic cases rather than as a main symptom related to an acute productive