A patient comes to the emergency room for evaluation of shortness of breath. To which anatomic region would you assign the symptom?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Shortness of breath is commonly associated with issues related to the heart and cardiovascular system. Conditions such as heart failure, coronary artery disease, or arrhythmias can lead to symptoms like shortness of breath. Therefore, the symptom of shortness of breath would be assigned to the cardiac anatomic region.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: In this scenario, with a blood pressure of 168/94 on both arms, it indicates poorly controlled hypertension. Hypertension can have various causes, including kidney-related issues. Referring the patient to nephrology would be the appropriate next step to evaluate and manage any potential underlying kidney conditions contributing to the uncontrolled blood pressure. The nephrologist can conduct further tests and assessments to determine the root cause and provide specialized care for the patient's condition. This approach ensures a comprehensive evaluation and targeted management plan for the patient's hypertension.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Relief of the pain with bending at the waist is a key hallmark of spinal stenosis. This position helps relieve the pressure on the nerves in the spinal canal, which is often the root cause of the leg symptoms experienced by the patient. The symptoms described by Mr. Edwards, such as cramps in the calves after walking a certain distance, followed by relief with rest and recurrence upon walking again, are highly suggestive of spinal stenosis. This condition involves narrowing of the spinal canal, leading to compression of the nerves and resulting in symptoms like leg cramps, weakness, and difficulty walking, especially with prolonged activity. The relief of symptoms when bending forward (e.g., leaning on a shopping cart while walking) is a characteristic feature of neurogenic claudication associated with spinal stenosis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: A varicocele is a common cause of a "bag of worms" feeling in the scrotum. It occurs due to the dilation of the veins within the spermatic cord, leading to a palpable mass above the testicle. Varicoceles are more commonly found on the left side due to the anatomy of the left testicular vein, which drains into the left renal vein at a right angle, making it more susceptible to increased pressure and dilation.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: Following a severe rotator cuff tear, it typically takes around 2-3 months for muscular atrophy to develop with increased prominence of the scapular spine. This is due to disuse of the affected shoulder muscles leading to muscle wasting and changes in the bony structures around the shoulder blade. Over time, the lack of muscle activity causes the shoulder blade to become more prominent and noticeable, which can result in altered sensations during activities like hugging. The gradual onset of these changes aligns with the timeline provided in the question, where the wife started to feel discomfort in her husband's left shoulder blade after the recent severe rotator cuff tear.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The clinical presentation described involves a patient with pericarditis. Pericarditis is inflammation of the pericardium, the sac surrounding the heart, which can lead to characteristic findings such as a scratching noise heard on auscultation, leaning forward relieving pain, and normal lung examination findings. The presence of pericarditis can also lead to a pericardial friction rub, which is often described as a scratching or grating sound heard best at the lower left sternal border.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: This categorization is based on the blood pressure readings. Stage 1 hypertension is defined as having a systolic blood pressure between 130-139 mmHg or a diastolic blood pressure between 80-89 mmHg. The blood pressure falls within this range, indicating mild hypertension. It is important to monitor and manage blood pressure to prevent complications associated with hypertension.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: For a new patient with the chief complaint of "I am here to establish care," a comprehensive health history would be appropriate. In this scenario, since the patient is new to the healthcare provider, it is important to gather detailed information about the patient's past medical history, family history, social history, medications, allergies, and specific health concerns. This comprehensive health history will help the healthcare provider establish a baseline of the patient's overall health and identify any potential risk factors or underlying conditions that may impact future care and treatment decisions. Additionally, obtaining a thorough health history is essential in building a strong patient-provider relationship and providing patient-centered care.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Tympany is the percussion note you would obtain over the gastric bubble. Tympany is a drum-like sound and is typically heard over air-filled structures in the body, such as the stomach, intestines, and lungs. When percussing over the gastric bubble (air-filled stomach), you would expect to hear a tympanic note due to the presence of air in the stomach creating resonance. Resonance (choice A) is a low-pitched, hollow sound heard over normal lung tissue. Hyperresonance (choice C) is an abnormally loud, booming sound heard over hyperinflated lungs, as in conditions like emphysema. Flatness (choice D) is a dull sound heard over solid organs or areas of tissue consolidation, such as over the liver or a pleural effusion.