Final answer:
Shortness of breath is a common symptom of congestive heart failure (CHF) and should be expected by a medical assistant preparing a patient with CHF for examination.
Step-by-step explanation:
A medical assistant preparing a patient with congestive heart failure (CHF) should expect several possible manifestations. Among the symptoms listed, shortness of breath is a common and significant finding in patients with CHF. Symptoms such as chest pain and palpitations (irregular heartbeat) can also occur with this condition, and are associated with the heart not receiving enough blood. While headaches might be present in various conditions, they are not a hallmark sign of CHF. Therefore, shortness of breath is the symptom that the assistant should most expect when preparing the patient for an examination.