james taylor – 39-year old male with shortness of
breath real case (chamberlain university) |
advanced ddx case play setup & full case
analysis 2026 November
Patient Information
Name: James Taylor
Age: 39 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5’8” (173 cm)
Weight: 140 lb (63.6 kg)
Occupation: Auto mechanic
Reason for Encounter: Shortness of breath
,HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS
James is a 39-year-old man who presents with progressive
shortness of breath for the past 5 days.
• Symptoms began gradually after he had what he describes
as a “bad cold” about 1 week ago.
• He reports dry cough, now worsening, but denies coughing
up blood.
• Shortness of breath is worse with exertion and when lying
flat.
• He notes intermittent chest tightness, non-radiating, rated
3/10.
• No chest pain at rest.
• Reports fever (subjective), chills, and fatigue.
He denies:
• Recent travel
• History of asthma
• History of DVT/PE
• Known heart disease
• Toxic exposures at work
He has also noticed increasing wheezing over the past 48 hours
and states he “can’t catch his breath” at night.
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
• Seasonal allergies
, • No chronic lung disease
• No cardiac history
• No hypertension or diabetes
Medications:
• Occasional loratadine during allergy season
• OTC ibuprofen
Allergies:
• NKDA
FAMILY HISTORY
• Father: heart failure (onset age 58)
• Mother: asthma
• No family history of early cardiac death or thromboembolic
disease
SOCIAL HISTORY
• Smokes ½ pack/day × 15 years
• Drinks socially
• No illicit drug use
• Works in an auto shop with occasional exposure to dust and
fumes
REVIEW OF SYSTEMS
Positive:
• Fever
• Night sweats
breath real case (chamberlain university) |
advanced ddx case play setup & full case
analysis 2026 November
Patient Information
Name: James Taylor
Age: 39 years
Sex: Male
Height: 5’8” (173 cm)
Weight: 140 lb (63.6 kg)
Occupation: Auto mechanic
Reason for Encounter: Shortness of breath
,HISTORY OF PRESENT ILLNESS
James is a 39-year-old man who presents with progressive
shortness of breath for the past 5 days.
• Symptoms began gradually after he had what he describes
as a “bad cold” about 1 week ago.
• He reports dry cough, now worsening, but denies coughing
up blood.
• Shortness of breath is worse with exertion and when lying
flat.
• He notes intermittent chest tightness, non-radiating, rated
3/10.
• No chest pain at rest.
• Reports fever (subjective), chills, and fatigue.
He denies:
• Recent travel
• History of asthma
• History of DVT/PE
• Known heart disease
• Toxic exposures at work
He has also noticed increasing wheezing over the past 48 hours
and states he “can’t catch his breath” at night.
PAST MEDICAL HISTORY
• Seasonal allergies
, • No chronic lung disease
• No cardiac history
• No hypertension or diabetes
Medications:
• Occasional loratadine during allergy season
• OTC ibuprofen
Allergies:
• NKDA
FAMILY HISTORY
• Father: heart failure (onset age 58)
• Mother: asthma
• No family history of early cardiac death or thromboembolic
disease
SOCIAL HISTORY
• Smokes ½ pack/day × 15 years
• Drinks socially
• No illicit drug use
• Works in an auto shop with occasional exposure to dust and
fumes
REVIEW OF SYSTEMS
Positive:
• Fever
• Night sweats
