Family Nurse Practitioner Exam

What is a significant symptom of Gerd related to cough specifically when the patient is supine?

1. Wheezing

2. Dry cough

3. Productive cough

4. Chronic cough

The correct answer is: Dry cough

A dry cough is a significant symptom of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), particularly when the patient is in a supine position. This occurs because, when lying down, the anatomical position can facilitate the backflow of stomach acid into the esophagus. The acid irritates the lining, leading to a reflexive cough as the body attempts to clear the irritation. A dry cough caused by GERD can often be mistaken for other respiratory conditions, but it is specifically linked to the acid irritation that intensifies when the patient is lying flat. In contrast, other types of coughs, such as wheezing or productive coughs, usually indicate different underlying issues, such as asthma or infections like bronchitis or pneumonia. A chronic cough may be persistent and could stem from various other sources beyond GERD. Thus, the specificity of a dry cough associated with positional changes highlights its connection to GERD, making it the most relevant symptom in this scenario.