“The first step in the evaluation of nonmassive hemoptysis is to obtain a chest radiograph. If this is normal and there is a high risk of malignancy (patient age 40 years or older with at least a 30-pack-year smoking history), chest CT should be ordered. Bronchoscopy should also be considered in the workup of high-risk patients. If a chest radiograph shows an infiltrate, treatment with antibiotics is warranted. If the chest radiograph is normal the patient is at low risk for malignancy, and if the history does not suggest lower respiratory infection and hemoptysis does not recur, observation can be considered.” ABFM
References
Am Fam Physician 2015;91(4):243-249.