What are common symptoms of COPD?

• A. Nausea, vomiting, constipation
• B. Dyspnea, chronic cough, sputum production, weight loss, anxiety, and dizziness
• C. Severe chest pain radiating to the jaw
• D. High fever and night sweats

Answer: (B)

COPD presents with symptoms that reflect chronic airflow limitation and its systemic impact. The hallmark signs are breathlessness with activity, a long-standing productive cough, and sputum production. As the disease advances, weight loss can occur due to the increased work of breathing and metabolic effects, and many patients experience anxiety related to shortness of breath; some may feel dizzy from hypoxemia or carbon dioxide retention. This combination—dyspnea, chronic cough with sputum production, weight loss, anxiety, and dizziness—best matches the typical COPD presentation.

Nausea, vomiting, and constipation are not characteristic COPD features; severe chest pain radiating to the jaw points more to cardiac issues; and high fever with night sweats suggests infection or other inflammatory conditions.