ABSTRACT
This chapter, written for undergraduate medical students and post-graduate doctors in training, presents information on how to manage cough — a case which they are likely to encounter in the future in a general practice setting. It presents the case of a 52 years old forthright woman who was complaining of an irritating cough for the last week or two. She works as a waitress and bartender and is married with three children. She admits to getting breathless on climbing stairs, but she is familiar with the symptom and is merely asking for a repeat prescription of her regular cough medicine. The chapter provides details of the patients' medical history and the key findings of clinical examination, together with initial investigation results data for evaluation, and helps them develop their skills of clinical reasoning. Key questions then prompt the student to evaluate the patient, and reach a decision regarding their condition and the possible treatment plan.
