Abstract

The chart said the chief complaint was cough. I entered the examination room to find an obese 19-year-old girl named Danielle who looked mildly uncomfortable and coughed intermittently. I introduced myself as a medical student and began taking the history. Two weeks ago, Danielle had resolved to lose weight and started exercising after work; however, every time she went for a brisk walk or did an exercise video at home, her asthma flared up. Two days ago, she ran out of her albuterol and now she had a persistent cough. She had some wheezing on examination, so we gave her a treatment in clinic.