Shadow Health Cardiovascular Health Assessment Rochelle
Joseph (DCE) | 2026 Update with complete solutions.
SECTION 1: CHIEF COMPLAINT & HISTORY OF PRESENT
ILLNESS
Question 1
Tina Jones presents to the clinic with which chief complaint?
A) Chest pain and shortness of breath
B) Recent episodes of palpitations
C) Leg swelling and fatigue
D) Dizziness and syncope
Correct Answer: B) Recent episodes of palpitations
Rationale: Tina Jones states, "I've been noticing my heart seems to be beating too fast
every once in a while lately, and it started to worry me." This is the primary reason for
her visit. While she may experience other symptoms, palpitations are her chief
complaint .
Question 2
How long has Tina Jones been experiencing her palpitations?
A) 2 weeks
B) 1 month
C) 3 months
D) 6 months
Correct Answer: B) 1 month
,Rationale: Tina reports she has been noticing her heart beating fast for about a month,
with episodes occurring approximately once per week during that time .
Question 3
How frequently does Tina Jones experience her palpitations?
A) Daily
B) Several times per day
C) About once per week
D) Monthly
Correct Answer: C) About once per week
Rationale: Tina reports the episodes have been happening around once a week for the
past month, totaling approximately 3-4 episodes .
Question 4
When does Tina Jones typically experience her palpitations?
A) At night while sleeping
B) During exercise
C) In the mornings
D) After eating
Correct Answer: C) In the mornings
Rationale: Tina reports that the palpitations usually occur in the mornings, typically as
she is getting ready or driving to school .
Question 5
,How long do Tina Jones's palpitation episodes typically last?
A) Less than 1 minute
B) 1-2 minutes
C) 5-10 minutes
D) 30-60 minutes
Correct Answer: C) 5-10 minutes
Rationale: Tina describes the episodes as lasting "not very long, maybe five to ten
minutes max" .
Question 6
Tina Jones describes the sensation of her palpitations as:
A) Sharp chest pain
B) Fluttering or skipping beats
C) Thumping in her chest
D) Pressure or tightness
Correct Answer: C) Thumping in her chest
Rationale: Tina describes her palpitations as a feeling of "thumping in my chest" with a
heart rate that is "way faster than usual." She finds the sensation uncomfortable and
anxiety-provoking .
Question 7
Which of the following does Tina Jones report may be contributing to her palpitations?
A) Caffeine and energy drinks
B) Tobacco use
C) Decreased physical activity
D) High-sodium diet
, Correct Answer: A) Caffeine and energy drinks
Rationale: Tina reports drinking energy drinks (1-2 per day) and increased consumption
of Diet Coke to help stay focused during busy periods of school and work. She
volunteers that "maybe the caffeine or whatever else is in those things has something to
do with it" .
Question 8
What associated symptom does Tina Jones report during her palpitation episodes?
A) Chest pain
B) Anxiety
C) Shortness of breath
D) Nausea
Correct Answer: B) Anxiety
Rationale: Tina reports feeling anxious when her heart races, describing the sensation
as uncomfortable. However, she denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea during
the episodes .
Question 9
What does Tina Jones do to help stop her palpitations?
A) Takes medication
B) Exercises
C) Slows down, relaxes, and breathes
D) Drinks water
Correct Answer: C) Slows down, relaxes, and breathes
Rationale: Tina reports that when she experiences palpitations, she "try[ies] to slow
down and breathe, and just relax. The feeling usually goes away after awhile" .
Joseph (DCE) | 2026 Update with complete solutions.
SECTION 1: CHIEF COMPLAINT & HISTORY OF PRESENT
ILLNESS
Question 1
Tina Jones presents to the clinic with which chief complaint?
A) Chest pain and shortness of breath
B) Recent episodes of palpitations
C) Leg swelling and fatigue
D) Dizziness and syncope
Correct Answer: B) Recent episodes of palpitations
Rationale: Tina Jones states, "I've been noticing my heart seems to be beating too fast
every once in a while lately, and it started to worry me." This is the primary reason for
her visit. While she may experience other symptoms, palpitations are her chief
complaint .
Question 2
How long has Tina Jones been experiencing her palpitations?
A) 2 weeks
B) 1 month
C) 3 months
D) 6 months
Correct Answer: B) 1 month
,Rationale: Tina reports she has been noticing her heart beating fast for about a month,
with episodes occurring approximately once per week during that time .
Question 3
How frequently does Tina Jones experience her palpitations?
A) Daily
B) Several times per day
C) About once per week
D) Monthly
Correct Answer: C) About once per week
Rationale: Tina reports the episodes have been happening around once a week for the
past month, totaling approximately 3-4 episodes .
Question 4
When does Tina Jones typically experience her palpitations?
A) At night while sleeping
B) During exercise
C) In the mornings
D) After eating
Correct Answer: C) In the mornings
Rationale: Tina reports that the palpitations usually occur in the mornings, typically as
she is getting ready or driving to school .
Question 5
,How long do Tina Jones's palpitation episodes typically last?
A) Less than 1 minute
B) 1-2 minutes
C) 5-10 minutes
D) 30-60 minutes
Correct Answer: C) 5-10 minutes
Rationale: Tina describes the episodes as lasting "not very long, maybe five to ten
minutes max" .
Question 6
Tina Jones describes the sensation of her palpitations as:
A) Sharp chest pain
B) Fluttering or skipping beats
C) Thumping in her chest
D) Pressure or tightness
Correct Answer: C) Thumping in her chest
Rationale: Tina describes her palpitations as a feeling of "thumping in my chest" with a
heart rate that is "way faster than usual." She finds the sensation uncomfortable and
anxiety-provoking .
Question 7
Which of the following does Tina Jones report may be contributing to her palpitations?
A) Caffeine and energy drinks
B) Tobacco use
C) Decreased physical activity
D) High-sodium diet
, Correct Answer: A) Caffeine and energy drinks
Rationale: Tina reports drinking energy drinks (1-2 per day) and increased consumption
of Diet Coke to help stay focused during busy periods of school and work. She
volunteers that "maybe the caffeine or whatever else is in those things has something to
do with it" .
Question 8
What associated symptom does Tina Jones report during her palpitation episodes?
A) Chest pain
B) Anxiety
C) Shortness of breath
D) Nausea
Correct Answer: B) Anxiety
Rationale: Tina reports feeling anxious when her heart races, describing the sensation
as uncomfortable. However, she denies chest pain, shortness of breath, or nausea during
the episodes .
Question 9
What does Tina Jones do to help stop her palpitations?
A) Takes medication
B) Exercises
C) Slows down, relaxes, and breathes
D) Drinks water
Correct Answer: C) Slows down, relaxes, and breathes
Rationale: Tina reports that when she experiences palpitations, she "try[ies] to slow
down and breathe, and just relax. The feeling usually goes away after awhile" .