You are seeing Mrs. Clark, a 30 year old woman, in the Emergency Department today shortness of breath. Take a focused history of his complaint.
History
- Onset and duration of shortness of breath
- Alleviating factors, including any use of puffers
- Aggravating factors, including exercise, second hand smoke, allergens
- Progression or worsening of symptoms
- Presence of nighttime symptoms
- Frequency
- Sputum production, presence of blood in sputum
- Recent cough, sore throat, myalgias and other symptoms of URTI
- Chest tightness
- Presence of fever or chills
- Recent respiratory illness
- Smoking history (quantity in pack-years)
- alcohol/drug history
- Exposure to infectious contacts
- Vaccination history – especially seasonal flu
- Exposure to environmental allergens/irritants
- Recent travel
- Effect on daily activities, including work and home life
- Exercise intolerance
- Past occurrence of such symptoms
- Personal history of asthma
- Family history of atopy (asthma, eczema, etc.)
Case 2 – Shortness of Breath