Despite having high BP readings in the office, Mr. Kelly tells you that his readings at home are much lower. He checks them twice a day at the same time of day and has kept a log. How do you respond?

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Mr. Kelly's scenario is consistent with the phenomenon called "white coat hypertension," where an individual's blood pressure readings are elevated in a medical setting due to anxiety or stress, but are normal when measured at home. This discrepancy between office and home readings is a key indicator of white coat hypertension. Additionally, the fact that Mr. Kelly has been consistently monitoring his blood pressure at home and has kept a log supports the likelihood that his elevated readings in the office are primarily due to the stress of being in that environment. It is important to acknowledge white coat hypertension as a common occurrence and not necessarily a reflection of true high blood pressure that requires immediate medical intervention.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The vertebral bodies of the spine involve cartilaginous joints. Cartilaginous joints are connected by cartilage, which allows for slight movement and flexibility. In the spine, the cartilaginous joints between vertebral bodies are called intervertebral discs. These discs act as shock absorbers and provide cushioning between each vertebra, helping to prevent bone-on-bone contact. In Mark's case, the presence of a bulging disc suggests that there is an issue with the cartilaginous joint between his vertebral bodies, leading to the compression of a spinal nerve and causing the burning pain down his right leg and slight foot drop.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Scotomas refer to areas of partial alteration in the field of vision. These blind spots can be caused by various eye conditions such as glaucoma, retinal detachment, or optic nerve damage. Symptoms involving the eye like scotomas are important to recognize and address promptly to prevent potential vision loss or other complications. Tinnitus (choice B) refers to ringing in the ears, dysphagia (choice C) refers to difficulty swallowing, and rhinorrhea (choice D) refers to a runny nose, none of which are symptoms involving the eye.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: When conducting a health history assessment, the components typically include the review of systems, present illness, and personal and social items. The review of systems involves asking specific questions related to each system of the body to gather comprehensive information about the patient's overall health. Present illness focuses on the current chief complaint and symptoms the patient is experiencing. Personal and social items encompass details such as lifestyle habits, family history, medical history, and social support systems. The thorax and lungs are typically assessed as part of the physical examination, not specifically in the health history documentation.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The pectoral lymph node group, also known as the Level III lymph nodes, is the most commonly involved in breast cancer metastasis. These lymph nodes are located along the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle and are an important regional drainage site for breast tissue. Therefore, in cases of breast cancer, the pectoral lymph nodes are frequently affected due to their proximity to the breast tissue.