DAVAO DOCTORS COLLEGE

Gen. Malvar St., Davao City

Nursing Program

ARTICLE JOURNAL

Name of Student: Daryll M. Moreno Date: October 31,2023

Clinical Instructor: _________________
Cough is a common symptom in pediatric patients, and its characteristics can help healthcare
professionals diagnose the underlying condition. Cough can be productive (with secretion) or unproductive
(dry). It can also vary in duration and strength. Auscultation, or listening to lung sounds, is essential for
differentiation. Productive cough often indicates lower respiratory diseases like pneumonia. Typical
pneumonia has a sudden onset with fever and purulent cough, while atypical pneumonia starts gradually
with a dry cough. Diagnostic tests include chest X-rays, blood tests, and sputum analysis. Bronchiectasis
leads to chronic productive cough with muco-purulent sputum, while bronchial asthma can cause cough
with thick mucus. Cystic fibrosis results in chronic cough with changing sputum characteristics. Treatment
involves pharmacological options such as expectorants and secretolytic agents, along with non-
pharmacological measures like hydration and physiotherapy. Cough in children can provide valuable
diagnostic information, and proper evaluation and treatment are essential for managing the underlying
conditions.

I was assigned in two pediatric patients, Arthur Nuñez, a 2-year-old, and Xian Karl Baniel, a 10-
month-old, presented with productive coughs. Arthur's symptoms also included colds and chills. These
cases relate to the article's discussion about pediatric cough, where cough is often a symptom of various
diseases, especially respiratory infections. Arthur's productive cough indicates a potential respiratory
infection, emphasizing the need for proper evaluation and diagnostic tests mentioned in the article, such as
chest X-rays and blood tests. Xian Karl's cough also tells us there might be something going on in his
breathing system, like his lungs. This shows us how important it is to figure out what's causing coughs in
kids in order to provide appropriate care and treatment.

As student nurse, it's important to recognize the significance of cough as a common symptom in
pediatric patients. Understanding the different types of cough, such as productive and non-productive, and
their potential causes, as discussed in the article, is valuable for our nursing practice. I need to ensure that
I have enough knowledge and practiced skills to be able to assist and give a proper right care to my patient
that will help ease their concerns during the treatment, also I will be resourceful and accountable in providing
appropriate and sensitive treatment for the patient. This experience kind of motivates me as a future
healthcare professional to value every patient and take an active role in caring for those experiencing
productive cough. In addition to offering a proper support system, patients should also be educated about
proper self-care. Showing concern can mean a lot to the patient, and if you can effectively guide and comfort
them as a nurse during such moments, it can make a significant difference. This is done to help the patient
become aware of the possible physical and mental challenges they may face.

Reference:
Productive cough in children and adolescents – View from primary health care system.
(2017). PubMed Central (PMC). Retrieved from
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5364784/