Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

Given a patient presenting with a hacking cough and low-grade fever, what is the most likely diagnosis?

1. Streptococcal pneumonia

2. Mycoplasma pneumonia

3. Acute bronchitis

4. Legionnaires disease

The correct answer is: Mycoplasma pneumonia

In considering a patient who presents with a hacking cough and low-grade fever, the symptoms align well with Mycoplasma pneumonia. This type of pneumonia is often characterized by a dry cough, fatigue, and a gradual onset of symptoms rather than an acute presentation. The presence of low-grade fever further supports this diagnosis, as Mycoplasma pneumonia generally does not produce high fevers. Mycoplasma pneumonia is particularly common in younger populations, such as school-aged children and young adults. The cough associated with Mycoplasma pneumonia is typically persistent and may be dry or hacking, which fits the description of the cough in this scenario. In contrast, other conditions presented may include features that do not match as closely with the symptoms. For example, acute bronchitis often presents with a productive cough and is usually associated with more significant systemic symptoms, such as higher fever or malaise. Streptococcal pneumonia generally leads to a higher fever and more pronounced symptoms of acute illness, while Legionnaires' disease typically presents with a more severe cough, high fever, and additional symptoms such as gastrointestinal issues. Therefore, the combination of hacking cough and low-grade fever is most suggestive of Mycoplasma pneumonia in this case.