iHUMAN ADVANCED DDx CASE STUDY
Frank Russo – 39-Year-Old Male With Shortness of Breath
Complete Case Study, HPI, Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, SOAP Note &
Clinical Reasoning Guide
, 2026–2027
PAGE 1 — CASE OVERVIEW
Patient Information
Name: Frank Russo
Age: 39 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 140 lb (63.6 kg)
Reason for Encounter: Shortness of breath
Case Type: Advanced DDx
Mode: Test Mode
Chief Complaint
"I've been feeling short of breath."
Purpose of the Case
Frank Russo presents with dyspnea requiring systematic evaluation. The major clinical objective
is to determine whether the shortness of breath is caused by an airway, infectious, cardiac,
vascular, pleural, hematologic, metabolic, or psychological process.
The clinician should first determine whether the patient is stable and whether there are signs of
an immediately life-threatening condition.
Primary Clinical Questions
1. When did the shortness of breath begin?
2. Was the onset sudden or gradual?
3. Is the dyspnea occurring at rest or with activity?
4. Are there associated chest symptoms?
5. Is there cough or wheezing?
6. Are there symptoms suggesting infection?
7. Are there risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
8. Is there evidence of cardiac disease?
9. What does the physical examination demonstrate?
10. Which diagnostic test will best distinguish the leading diagnoses?
Frank Russo – 39-Year-Old Male With Shortness of Breath
Complete Case Study, HPI, Assessment, Differential Diagnosis, SOAP Note &
Clinical Reasoning Guide
, 2026–2027
PAGE 1 — CASE OVERVIEW
Patient Information
Name: Frank Russo
Age: 39 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5'8" (173 cm)
Weight: 140 lb (63.6 kg)
Reason for Encounter: Shortness of breath
Case Type: Advanced DDx
Mode: Test Mode
Chief Complaint
"I've been feeling short of breath."
Purpose of the Case
Frank Russo presents with dyspnea requiring systematic evaluation. The major clinical objective
is to determine whether the shortness of breath is caused by an airway, infectious, cardiac,
vascular, pleural, hematologic, metabolic, or psychological process.
The clinician should first determine whether the patient is stable and whether there are signs of
an immediately life-threatening condition.
Primary Clinical Questions
1. When did the shortness of breath begin?
2. Was the onset sudden or gradual?
3. Is the dyspnea occurring at rest or with activity?
4. Are there associated chest symptoms?
5. Is there cough or wheezing?
6. Are there symptoms suggesting infection?
7. Are there risk factors for pulmonary embolism?
8. Is there evidence of cardiac disease?
9. What does the physical examination demonstrate?
10. Which diagnostic test will best distinguish the leading diagnoses?
