The answer to this is the first option – “My cough has changed from a dry cough to one with lots of sputum production.” The other choices available can be contributed to other diseases. For example, having a low-grade fever can also be a sign of infection. This statement is a sign that can be connected to lung cancer.
Take note that not all people who experience this change are already suffering from lung cancer. There are still a lot of other possible reasons that should always be checked and considered. This is just a statement that can be categorized as a possible sign or symptom of lung cancer.
My cough has changed from a dry cough to one with lots of sputum production."
-rationale: a cough that changes in character is one of the hallmark signs of lung cancer. low-grade fever, hoarseness, and weight loss may be attributed to other disease processes and dont necessarily indicate lung cancer.
client needs category: physiological integrity
client needs subcategory: physiological adaptation
cognitive level: analysis
reference: smeltzer, s.c., et al. brunner & suddarths textbook of medical-surgical nursing,11th ed. philadelphia: lippincott williams & wilkins, 2008, p. 671.