Which term describes a nonproductive cough?

Which term describes a nonproductive cough?

• A. A cough without mucus
• B. A cough with mucus
• C. A dry cough
• D. A cough with wheeze

Answer: (A)

Nonproductive cough means no mucus or sputum is expelled. The phrase that best matches this is “cough without mucus” because it directly states the absence of secretions. A cough with mucus is productive, since secretions are being expelled. A dry cough is another common way to describe a nonproductive cough, but the most explicit description of nonproduction here is the cough without mucus. A cough with wheeze points to airway narrowing or irritation and doesn’t specify mucus production.

Nonproductive cough means no mucus or sputum is expelled. The phrase that best matches this is “cough without mucus” because it directly states the absence of secretions. A cough with mucus is productive, since secretions are being expelled. A dry cough is another common way to describe a nonproductive cough, but the most explicit description of nonproduction here is the cough without mucus. A cough with wheeze points to airway narrowing or irritation and doesn’t specify mucus production.