dyspnea

DC Inst – Shortness of Breath

DC

You were evaluated in the Emergency Department today for shortness of breath. Your symptoms improved with Albuterol and steroids, and your evaluation did not show evidence of medical conditions requiring emergent intervention at this time. ***You have been given a prescription for steroids, please take them as directed.

Please follow up with your primary care physician within two days.

Return to the Emergency Department if you experience worsening shortness of breath, chest pain, headache, light headedness, or any other concerning symptoms.

Thank you for choosing us for your care.

DYSPNEA – General

MDM

This patient presents with dyspnea, most likely secondary to ***. Differential diagnosis includes ***. Presentation not consistent with acute cardiac etiologies to include ACS (HEART score ***), CHF, pericardial effusion / tamponade . Presentation not consistent with acute respiratory etiologies to include acute PE (Wells low risk ***), pneumothorax , asthma, COPD exacerbation, allergic etiologies, or infectious etiologies such as PNA. Presentation also not consistent with non-cardiopulmonary causes to include toxidromes, metabolic etiologies such as acidemia or electrolyte derangements, sepsis, neurologic causes (i.e. demyelinating diseases).

Plan: supplemental O2, NIPPV ***, CXR, labs, troponin, close hemodynamic monitoring, serial reassessment