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: A

Rationale: It is important to adjust your approach based on the clinical context and your suspicion for a certain condition. If you have never found a positive result with a particular maneuver and you are usually pressed for time during examinations, it may be more beneficial to reserve that maneuver for situations where you have a higher suspicion for a correlating condition. This allows you to use your time and resources more effectively, targeting specific tests based on the clinical scenario to increase the chances of identifying any relevant issues. By using the test selectively, you can improve the diagnostic yield without compromising the overall assessment.

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: B

Rationale: Asking Mr. Q. when his last drink was is an open-ended question that can provide valuable information regarding his alcohol consumption patterns. This question allows Mr. Q. to disclose whether he has been drinking recently and can help determine the frequency and quantity of his alcohol consumption. It avoids leading or judgmental language, which can help build rapport and facilitate a more honest conversation about his alcohol use. By knowing when his last drink was, you can better assess the potential impact of alcohol on his current symptoms of fatigue and further explore any potential issues related to alcohol abuse.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The description provided fits the criteria for tension-type headache. Tension-type headaches are typically described as a mild to moderate, dull, band-like pressure or tightness around the head. They can last from minutes to days and are often triggered by stress, anxiety, poor posture, or prolonged computer use. The absence of symptoms like photophobia and nausea, along with the response to over-the-counter medication, further support the diagnosis of tension-type headache in this case. Other headache types such as migraines or cluster headaches usually present with additional symptoms like nausea, photophobia, or tearing of the eye, which are not mentioned in this scenario. Analgesic rebound headaches typically occur in individuals who overuse pain medications, leading to worsening headaches when the medication wears off, but this patient's history does not suggest such misuse.

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.

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 scenario described suggests that Ray experiences pain only when actively lifting his arm over his head, which indicates the issue is likely originating from structures outside of the joint itself. When the shoulder is moved passively (moved by an external force), there is full range of motion without pain, suggesting that the limitation and pain occur due to muscles, tendons, or ligaments surrounding the joint rather than within the joint itself. In this case, the joint disease is likely to be extra-articular, involving structures such as muscles or tendons rather than being articular in nature.

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.