Which term describes a nonproductive cough?

• A. A cough without mucus
• B. A cough with mucus
• C. A dry cough
• D. A cough with wheeze

Answer: (A)

Nonproductive cough means no mucus or sputum is expelled. The phrase that best matches this is “cough without mucus” because it directly states the absence of secretions. A cough with mucus is productive, since secretions are being expelled. A dry cough is another common way to describe a nonproductive cough, but the most explicit description of nonproduction here is the cough without mucus. A cough with wheeze points to airway narrowing or irritation and doesn’t specify mucus production.