Copious amounts of foul-smelling sputum are generally associated with which of the following conditions?

• A. Asthma
• B. Pulmonary embolism
• C. Lung abscess
• D. Viral pneumonia

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the clinical symptom: 'copious amounts of foul-smelling sputum' refers to a large volume of sputum that has a bad odor, which usually indicates the presence of anaerobic bacterial infection or tissue necrosis in the lungs.
2. Review the conditions listed: Asthma typically involves wheezing and airway inflammation but does not usually produce foul-smelling sputum.
3. Pulmonary embolism is a blockage in the lung arteries and generally does not cause sputum production, especially not foul-smelling sputum.
4. Viral pneumonia often causes a dry or non-purulent cough, and sputum, if present, is not characteristically foul-smelling because viruses do not produce the necrotic tissue or anaerobic environment that leads to foul odor.
5. Lung abscess is a localized collection of pus in the lung caused by bacterial infection, often anaerobic bacteria, which leads to tissue destruction and the production of copious, foul-smelling sputum. This matches the symptom described.