A 62 y/o male presents to the ER with chief c/o of increase…
A 62 y/o male presents to the ER with chief c/o of increased sputum production, consisting of thick, pale to dark yellow sputum, increased SOB and chest tightness over the course of 3 days. Pt exam: Vital signs HR 92, RR 28, Temp 99F, SpO2 90% on Room Air; Breath Sounds: Course crackles and occasional expiratory wheezes bilaterally. Patient Hx includes smoking 1.5 packs of cigarettes per day for 30 plus years, 2 previous similar episodes to the current one the within the last year which required 7 day course of antibiotics. What most likely is the cause of this patient’s symptoms?