Shortness of Breath

You need an organized, anatomical approach. Step 1: Consider Differential Diagnosis * Upper airway* Angioedema* Foreign body* Abscess* Lower airway* COPD* Asthma* Alveoli* Pneumonia* Pulmonary edema* Blood* Anemia* Acidosis* DKA* Sepsis (lactic acid)* Toxins (salicylic acid)* Blood vessels* Pulmonary embolism* Aortic dissection* Heart* Myocardial infarction* Acute heart failure* Cardiac tamponade Step 2: Examine Anatomically * Upper airway* Stridor* Voice changes* Lower airway* Wheezing* Alveoli* Crackles* Blood* Pallor* Heart* Dysrhythmia* Jugular vein distension (JVD)* Edema Step 3: Testing Plan * Common tests* Chest x-ray* EKG* CBC* Electrolytes* Less common tests* Blood gas* Troponin* BNP* D-Dimer Step 4: Calculate Wells Score and PERC * Wells Score (MDCalc)* PERC Rule (MDCalc) Additional Reading * Pulmonary Embolism (EM Clerkship)* Shortness of Breath (SAEM)