Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

A teacher with a dry cough that worsens when supine might be experiencing symptoms from which condition?

1. Asthma

2. Gastroesophageal reflux

3. Pneumonia

4. Chronic postnasal drip

The correct answer is: Gastroesophageal reflux

A teacher experiencing a dry cough that worsens when in a supine position is likely experiencing symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). When a person lies down, stomach acid can more easily travel up the esophagus, leading to irritation of the throat and potentially causing a cough. This positional aspect is critical in linking the symptom to GERD, as it is a well-known characteristic of this condition. In contrast, asthma is typically characterized by wheezing and may not necessarily worsen with specific positions. Pneumonia usually presents with productive cough, fever, and shortness of breath, which does not align with the "dry cough" symptom described. Chronic postnasal drip can also cause a cough, but it typically occurs regardless of position and may involve mucus production, which is not noted here. Thus, given the combination of a dry cough that intensifies when lying down, gastroesophageal reflux is the most fitting diagnosis in this scenario.