NURS 6512 WEEK 7 IHUMAN CASE STUDY-YEAR
2025/2026
- OLD MALE
28 WITH
COUGH AND FATIGUE COMPREHENSIVE RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT, BA
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FRAMEWORK, DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLIN
REASONING REVIEW 13TH EDITION
,1. Case Overview (What iHuman is testing)
This case evaluates your ability to:
• Perform a focused respiratory assessment
• Differentiate infectious vs inflammatory vs chronic pulmonary causes
• Identify red flags in cough + fatigue
• Apply Bates’ stepwise history and physical exam approach
• Formulate a differential diagnosis and initial management plan
2. Chief Complaint
Cough and fatigue
These symptoms are nonspecific, so your job is to narrow causes using:
• Duration of symptoms
• Sputum characteristics
• Associated symptoms (fever, weight loss, dyspnea)
• Exposure history
3. Focused History (Bates Approach)
History of Present Illness (HPI)
Key questions:
• When did the cough start?
• Is it acute (<3 weeks), subacute (3–8 weeks), or chronic (>8 weeks)?
• Is the cough dry or productive?
• Any sputum? Color? Blood?
• Any fever, chills, night sweats?
• Any fatigue severity or weight loss?
• Any chest pain or shortness of breath?
, Important Red Flags
• Hemoptysis (blood in sputum)
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fever
• Dyspnea at rest
These may suggest:
• Tuberculosis
• Pneumonia
• Malignancy (less likely in young adult but still considered)
Exposure History
• Smoking or vaping history
• Occupational exposure (dust, chemicals)
• Travel history (TB risk)
• Sick contacts (viral infection)
• HIV risk factors (immunosuppression)
Medication History
• ACE inhibitors (cause dry cough)
• Immunosuppressants
• Recent antibiotics
Medication History — Notes Form (Clinical Assessment)
Definition
• A systematic review of all medications a patient is currently taking or has recently
taken
• Includes:
2025/2026
- OLD MALE
28 WITH
COUGH AND FATIGUE COMPREHENSIVE RESPIRATORY ASSESSMENT, BA
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION FRAMEWORK, DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS & CLIN
REASONING REVIEW 13TH EDITION
,1. Case Overview (What iHuman is testing)
This case evaluates your ability to:
• Perform a focused respiratory assessment
• Differentiate infectious vs inflammatory vs chronic pulmonary causes
• Identify red flags in cough + fatigue
• Apply Bates’ stepwise history and physical exam approach
• Formulate a differential diagnosis and initial management plan
2. Chief Complaint
Cough and fatigue
These symptoms are nonspecific, so your job is to narrow causes using:
• Duration of symptoms
• Sputum characteristics
• Associated symptoms (fever, weight loss, dyspnea)
• Exposure history
3. Focused History (Bates Approach)
History of Present Illness (HPI)
Key questions:
• When did the cough start?
• Is it acute (<3 weeks), subacute (3–8 weeks), or chronic (>8 weeks)?
• Is the cough dry or productive?
• Any sputum? Color? Blood?
• Any fever, chills, night sweats?
• Any fatigue severity or weight loss?
• Any chest pain or shortness of breath?
, Important Red Flags
• Hemoptysis (blood in sputum)
• Night sweats
• Unexplained weight loss
• Persistent fever
• Dyspnea at rest
These may suggest:
• Tuberculosis
• Pneumonia
• Malignancy (less likely in young adult but still considered)
Exposure History
• Smoking or vaping history
• Occupational exposure (dust, chemicals)
• Travel history (TB risk)
• Sick contacts (viral infection)
• HIV risk factors (immunosuppression)
Medication History
• ACE inhibitors (cause dry cough)
• Immunosuppressants
• Recent antibiotics
Medication History — Notes Form (Clinical Assessment)
Definition
• A systematic review of all medications a patient is currently taking or has recently
taken
• Includes:
