I HUMAN WEEK 3 NURS 2026 74 YEAR OLD MALE
PRESENTING WITH PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE AND
SHORTNESS OF BREATH AT OUTPATIENT CLINIC UTILIZING
SYSTEMATIC HISTORY, PHYSICAL EXAMINATION,
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT
,PATIENT INFORMATION
Age: 74 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5′8″ (173 cm)
Weight: 164.0 lb (74.5 kg)
Location: Outpatient clinic with laboratory and imaging services
Reason for Encounter: Fatigue and shortness of breath
Explanation: The patient is a 74-year-old male presenting with a several-month history of progressive
fatigue and exertional shortness of breath. He has also noticed a dry cough when lying down and
worsening lower extremity swelling that does not resolve overnight. The goals of this visit are to identify
underlying cardiopulmonary pathology, evaluate symptom severity, and initiate appropriate diagnostics
and management.
, REASON FOR ENCOUNTER
Category Details
Encounter Type Outpatient clinic visit
Chief Complaint Fatigue and shortness of breath
Duration Approximately 2–3 months
Frequency Progressive, present daily
Associated Symptoms Exertional dyspnea, dry cough when supine, lower extremity swelling
Aggravating Factors Walking even short distances, climbing stairs, lying flat
Relieving Factors Rest, elevating legs
Systemic Symptoms No fever, no chills, no significant chest pain
Patient Goals Determine cause, improve energy levels, reduce dyspnea and swelling
Explanation: The patient reports a gradual worsening of fatigue and breathlessness over the past 2–3
months, particularly with physical activity and when lying down. He also describes intermittent dry
cough when supine and persistent lower extremity swelling that no longer fully resolves overnight.
These progressive symptoms have limited functional capacity and prompted clinical evaluation.
PRESENTING WITH PROGRESSIVE FATIGUE AND
SHORTNESS OF BREATH AT OUTPATIENT CLINIC UTILIZING
SYSTEMATIC HISTORY, PHYSICAL EXAMINATION,
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS, AND MANAGEMENT
,PATIENT INFORMATION
Age: 74 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5′8″ (173 cm)
Weight: 164.0 lb (74.5 kg)
Location: Outpatient clinic with laboratory and imaging services
Reason for Encounter: Fatigue and shortness of breath
Explanation: The patient is a 74-year-old male presenting with a several-month history of progressive
fatigue and exertional shortness of breath. He has also noticed a dry cough when lying down and
worsening lower extremity swelling that does not resolve overnight. The goals of this visit are to identify
underlying cardiopulmonary pathology, evaluate symptom severity, and initiate appropriate diagnostics
and management.
, REASON FOR ENCOUNTER
Category Details
Encounter Type Outpatient clinic visit
Chief Complaint Fatigue and shortness of breath
Duration Approximately 2–3 months
Frequency Progressive, present daily
Associated Symptoms Exertional dyspnea, dry cough when supine, lower extremity swelling
Aggravating Factors Walking even short distances, climbing stairs, lying flat
Relieving Factors Rest, elevating legs
Systemic Symptoms No fever, no chills, no significant chest pain
Patient Goals Determine cause, improve energy levels, reduce dyspnea and swelling
Explanation: The patient reports a gradual worsening of fatigue and breathlessness over the past 2–3
months, particularly with physical activity and when lying down. He also describes intermittent dry
cough when supine and persistent lower extremity swelling that no longer fully resolves overnight.
These progressive symptoms have limited functional capacity and prompted clinical evaluation.
