MORE FREQUENT AND SEVERE HEADACHES – WEEK #9 FOR
(CLASS 6512) WALDEN UNIVERSITY LATEST UPDATE WITH
CLEAR CLINICAL REASONING, DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS,
DIAGNOSTICS, MANAGEMENT, PATIENT EDUCATION AND A
SOAP NOTE
,i-Human Case Study – Week #9 (2026)
Class 6512 – Walden University
Outpatient Clinic With Laboratory Capabilities
Patient: 26-Year-Old Female
Reason for Encounter: More Frequent, Severe Headaches
Case Summary:
A 26-year-old female presents to an outpatient clinic with complaints of
progressively frequent and severe headaches. This case focuses on
distinguishing primary headache disorders from secondary and potentially life-
threatening causes, identifying red-flag symptoms, performing a focused
neurologic assessment, and developing an evidence-based management plan.
Patient Demographics:
Age: 26 years
Sex: Female
Height: 5’4” (163 cm)
Weight: 135 lb (61 kg)
Case Mode: Learning mode
Case Location: Outpatient clinic with lab capabilities
Attempts Allowed: Multiple
, 2. Chief Complaint (CC)
“I’ve been getting headaches more often, and they’re much worse than before.”
3. History of Present Illness (HPI)
The patient is a 26-year-old female who reports a 6-month history of headaches,
with significant worsening over the past 4 weeks. She now experiences
headaches 3–4 times per week, compared to once monthly previously.
The headaches are described as unilateral, throbbing pain, most commonly on
the right temporal region, rated 8/10 in severity. Episodes last 4–12 hours and
are associated with photophobia, phonophobia, nausea, and occasional
vomiting. She reports that headaches are worsened by physical activity and
relieved partially by resting in a dark, quiet room.
She notes seeing flashing lights and zigzag lines approximately 20 minutes before
headache onset on several occasions. Over-the-counter ibuprofen provides minimal
relief.
She denies fever, neck stiffness, confusion, weakness, numbness, speech changes,
syncope, head trauma, or recent illness. No headaches wake her from sleep.
Triggers Identified