NCLEX RN Practice Question

The nurse should ask detailed questions about the client's fatigue and shortness of breath, including their onset, duration, frequency, quality, and any aggravating or relieving factors. Gathering this subjective information clarifies the history of the present illness and guides the subsequent physical examination and diagnostic work-up. Assessing vital signs or auscultating heart and lung sounds are also important but are typically performed after or alongside the history to interpret findings in context. Immediate referral to a specialist bypasses essential baseline assessment steps.