Certified Respiratory Therapist Practice Exam

Which aspect of a patient's social history is most significant in diagnosing lung disease?

1. Smoking history

2. Occupational history

3. Family history

4. Travel history

The correct answer is: Occupational history

In diagnosing lung disease, smoking history holds particular significance because it is one of the most common risk factors associated with various respiratory conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), lung cancer, and interstitial lung diseases. Understanding a patient’s smoking habits—such as whether they are current smokers, former smokers, or have never smoked—provides valuable information about their overall lung health and risk factors for disease. While occupational history can also be important, especially in identifying exposure to harmful substances like asbestos or toxins, smoking history often provides a more direct link to many prevalent lung diseases. Family history may highlight genetic predispositions to certain conditions but does not typically change the immediate assessment of lung disease in a patient. Travel history can aid in identifying infectious diseases but is less relevant to chronic lung diseases compared to smoking. Each aspect of social history can contribute important context, but smoking history is particularly influential due to its strong association with lung disease.