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DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS:
Shortness of Breath
QUESTIONS TO ASK:
PULMONARY EMBOLISM
- Any recent surgery, prolonged bed rest, road trip?
- Any history of cancer?
- Any history of DVT?
- Any leg pain?
- Any chest pain?
- Any syncopal events?
- Any coughing?
PNEUMONIA
- Any fevers or chills?
- Do you smoke?
- Any wheezing or coughing?
- Have you been around anyone who has been sick?
- Have you had recent coughing after eating?
- Have you had a recent upper respiratory illness (started with cold)?
- Do you have body aches?
- Any productive sputum?
- If yes: What color?
- Any upper/mid back pain?
COPD
- How long has this shortness of breath going on?
- Do you or did you smoke?
- Do you wheeze and cough consistently throughout the week?
- Do you get winded when you exert yourself?
HEART FAILURE
- Any leg swelling?
- Any frothy pink colored sputum?
- Any recent increase in weight?
- Do you have dyspnea with exertion?
- Do you have a history of Atrial fibrillation?
- Have you had an echo before?
- Have you noticed any neck vein dissension?
- Are you more short of breath when you lay down?
- Do you urinate frequently throughout the night?
- Have you had ongoing fatigue? Feeling winded with even mild acitivty?
BRONCHITIS
- Any wheezing?
- When did this start?
- Do you smoke?
- Do you have chest tightness?
- Any recent upper respiratory illness?
ASTHMA
- Do allergies seem to worsen the shortness of breath
- Does the shortness of breath come on after exercising
- Does smoke exposure make your shortness of breath increase?
- Do animals make your shortness of breath increase?
- Were you diagnosed with asthma as a child?
MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION
- Any chest pain?
- Is the chest pain left sided?
- Does it radiate to your jaw or down your left arm?
- Have you felt clammy?
- Any nausea or vomiting?
- Do you feel distressed? Impending doom?
- Does it occur with rest or when active?
- Does it last for at least 20 minutes?
- Do you have acid reflux?
COVID-19
- Any recent contact with someone who has had COVID?
- Any recent travel?
- Any fevers or chills?
- Any rashes?
- Any GI symptoms like diarrhea? Nausea?
- In changes in taste or smell?
- Any sore throat?
- Any muscle aches? Any headaches?
DECONDITIONING
- Do you exercise regularly?
- Is the patient overweight?
- What is your diet like?
PLEURISY
- Do you have chest pain?
- Is chest discomfort worse with breathing?
- Did you have a recent upper respiratory illness (usually weeks ago)?
- Any cough or fever?
TUBERCULOSIS
- Are you coughing up any blood?
- Any recent travel outside of the United States?
- Any malaise?
- Any pleuritic chest pain?
- Any night sweats? Any fever?
- Any weight loss?