Final answer:
The most essential information for determining a diagnosis comes from the patient's symptoms, their medical history, and results from preliminary tests.
Step-by-step explanation:
The most essential information in determining a working diagnosis during a patient assessment comes from the patient's symptoms, their medical history, and preliminary tests. A patient's symptoms provide the initial direction for possible diagnoses. For instance, Angela's shortness of breath, constriction, and swelling of the airway could point to an asthma attack. Medical history, such as past issues of asthma or allergies, can help confirm this suspicion. Further preliminary tests refine the diagnosis by providing concrete physiological evidence of the condition.
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