Nurses play a key role in recognising the clinical signs of diseases. Learning to be proficient in one’s ability to define the problem accurately, through both subjective and objective assessment, will provide both the competence and confidence to refer a patient onward for appropriate investigations and/or care. Part one of this series focused on respiratory assessment, including historytaking and physical assessment (Pearce, 2022a). Although there are many non-respiratory causes of respiratory symptoms, part two in this series focuses on respiratory conditions. Two case studies are discussed followed by potential differential diagnoses. The reader can make an assessment using part one and two of this series and the papers referenced, to help consider the potential/working diagnoses.