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The primary symptom a new patient presents is indicative of an underlying condition that requires further evaluation. Difficulty breathing is often a critical sign in medical assessments and can signal a range of issues, from respiratory conditions like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) to cardiac problems affecting blood flow and oxygen delivery. This symptom often necessitates immediate attention, as it can point to serious health risks.

In contrast, while fatigue, severe headache, and nausea are also significant symptoms that warrant investigation, they typically do not indicate the same level of urgent concern as difficulty breathing. Fatigue can be a symptom of many unrelated illnesses and may not require immediate intervention. Severe headaches, although potentially serious, can often be managed with symptomatic treatments depending on the cause. Nausea can arise from a variety of causes as well, and while it may require identification of the underlying condition, it usually does not present the same immediate life-threatening connotations as difficulty breathing.

Thus, the prioritization of difficulty breathing aligns with common clinical practice, where urgent assessment is done when a patient exhibits respiratory distress.