A 45-year-old gay man who lives with a partner of 19 years recently has developed a persistent cough and night sweats from which he wakes up soaked.The nurse who is caring for the man should be most concerned about which of the following conditions?

A) Lung cancer
B) Tuberculosis
C) Orthopnea
D) Cardiopulmonary disease

Persistent cough and night sweats are symptoms of tuberculosis (TB).Review risk factors for TB and/or HIV infection and assess for symptoms,including persistent cough,hemoptysis,unexplained weight loss,fatigue,anorexia,night sweats,and fever.Ask the patient about persistent cough (productive or nonproductive),blood-streaked sputum,voice change,chest pain,shortness of breath,orthopnea (must be in upright position to breathe),dyspnea (breathlessness)during exertion or at rest,poor activity tolerance,or recurrent pneumonia or bronchitis.This may reveal cardiopulmonary problems or warning signs for lung cancer (symptoms in italics).