9 key symptom histories and differentials

Question 1

Chest pain, dyspnoea and palpitations

Answer 1

Recent hospitalisations, GP contact, duration of illness, reason for presentation,

Dyspnoea severity and duration

Exercise tolerance

PND, orthopnoea, weight gain, lower limb oedema, abdominal girth

Cough w/ sputum, colour, blood

Runny nose, sore throat, ear pain, face pain

Fevers chills, sweats shakes/rigors

Myalgias/arthritic pain

Loss of weight or appetite

Chest pain- duration, location, intensity radiation, prior episodes

Current pain status

Palpitations, dizziness/lightheadedness

Nausea/vomiting

Occupational history - animals, dust, fumes, mining

Overseas travel

HTN, dyslipid, T2DM, prior AMI, stroke, PVD

Asthma/COPD/bronchiectasis

Smoking