Which factors warrant obtaining a chest X-ray in a patient with an acute cough?

In the context of an acute cough, obtaining a chest X-ray can be indicated by certain clinical signs and symptoms that suggest the presence of a more serious underlying condition, such as pneumonia or other respiratory complications.

A temperature greater than 100.4°F is significant because it is often associated with infections, including pneumonia. When a patient presents with an acute cough and a high fever, it raises the suspicion for a potential infectious process in the lungs, where imaging may help identify any consolidation, effusions, or pneumonia that would require further management.

While other factors such as age or specific lung findings like rales and consolidation could also suggest the need for a chest X-ray, the presence of a fever is a direct indicator of infection that warrants immediate evaluation to rule out significant pathology in the chest. Thus, a temperature above 100.4°F correlates strongly with the need to visualize the lung structures to ensure appropriate and timely intervention.