A 72-year-old teacher comes to your clinic for an annual examination. She is concerned about her risk for peripheral vascular disease and states that there is a place in town that does tests to let her know her if she has this or not. Which of the following disease processes is a risk factor for peripheral vascular disease?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Coronary artery disease. Peripheral vascular disease shares similar risk factors with coronary artery disease, such as atherosclerosis. Atherosclerosis is a major contributing factor to both conditions, leading to narrowing and blockage of blood vessels. This increases the risk of reduced blood flow to various organs and tissues, causing symptoms of peripheral vascular disease. The other choices, A: Gastroesophageal reflux disease, C: Migraine headaches, and D: Osteoarthritis, do not have direct associations with peripheral vascular disease or share common risk factors with it. For example, GERD is related to the gastrointestinal system, migraines are neurological, and osteoarthritis affects the joints, making them unrelated to the pathophysiology of peripheral vascular disease.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because right-sided hemiparesis involves weakness on the right side of the body, including the face and tongue. This condition is not characterized by complete bilateral paralysis (A), the ability to walk independently (C, D), or the loss of movement in just the right arm (C, D). In right-sided hemiparesis, the weakness affects more than just the arm and may impact various parts of the body on the right side.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D because a symmetrical stride length indicates a normal gait. When both legs move in a coordinated manner and cover equal distances, it suggests proper balance and coordination. Absent arm swing (A) can indicate a gait abnormality. A narrow base of support (B) can lead to instability. Unequal step lengths (C) can also point to an abnormal gait pattern. In summary, a symmetrical stride length is crucial for an individual to maintain balance and walk efficiently.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B because asking the patient what they had for breakfast this morning evaluates their recent memory. This question assesses the patient's ability to recall a specific event from the same day, testing their short-term memory. Choices A, C, and D do not focus on recent memory. Choice A tests long-term memory, choice C assesses immediate memory, and choice D evaluates remote memory. Therefore, B is the best question to evaluate recent memory.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The Romberg test is primarily performed to evaluate balance and coordination by assessing the proprioceptive function of the lower extremities. This test helps identify sensory ataxia, a condition where there is a loss of proprioception leading to impaired balance. Testing cranial nerve function (Choice B) involves different assessments, such as cranial nerve examination. Muscle strength (Choice C) is evaluated through manual muscle testing, not the Romberg test. Reflexes (Choice D) are typically assessed using tests like deep tendon reflexes, not the Romberg test. Thus, the correct answer is A as it aligns with the purpose and methodology of the Romberg test.