Hypertension: Questions and Answers (A Graded), Case
Study of a 52 year Old Male
Dr. Paul asks you, "Which elements of an initial focused history are most important to gather in a
patient with a possible new diagnosis of hypertension?" Select all that apply.
A. Family history of cardiovascular disease
B. Family history of colon cancer
C. History of cancer
D. History of diabetes
E. History of glaucoma
F. History of high cholesterol
G. History or symptoms of cardiovascular disease
H. History or symptoms of congestive heart failure
I. Medications, including over-the-counter and complementary medications
J. Smoking, alcohol, and/or drug use - A, D, F, G, H, I, J.
Dr. Paul asks you, "Which of the following accurately describes the best way to measure blood
pressure?" Select all that apply.
A. An adult-sized cuff should be used for most adults.
B. The length of the bladder of the cuff must be at least 80% of the arm circumference.
C. The patient should be seated quietly for 30 minutes before a blood pressure measurement is taken.
D. The patient should be seated on an examination table when a blood pressure is taken.
E. The patient's arm should be supported at heart level. - The correct answers are B, E.
Based on what you know about the patient so far, write a one- to three- sentence summary statement
to communicate your understanding of the patient to other providers. - Mr. Samuel is a 52-year-old
male who presents for a routine physical exam after not engaging in regular health care for over a
decade. He has no concerns, but his blood pressure is elevated today. Other than being overweight,
the remainder of his physical exam is unremarkable. In terms of his cardiac risk factors, due to his
work as a taxi driver, he often eats fast food; he does not smoke tobacco. His father also had a
myocardial infarction at age 62, though this is not considered "premature" cardiac disease (which is
officially defined as <55 in males). He has some financial stressors, and does not have health
insurance.
Study of a 52 year Old Male
Dr. Paul asks you, "Which elements of an initial focused history are most important to gather in a
patient with a possible new diagnosis of hypertension?" Select all that apply.
A. Family history of cardiovascular disease
B. Family history of colon cancer
C. History of cancer
D. History of diabetes
E. History of glaucoma
F. History of high cholesterol
G. History or symptoms of cardiovascular disease
H. History or symptoms of congestive heart failure
I. Medications, including over-the-counter and complementary medications
J. Smoking, alcohol, and/or drug use - A, D, F, G, H, I, J.
Dr. Paul asks you, "Which of the following accurately describes the best way to measure blood
pressure?" Select all that apply.
A. An adult-sized cuff should be used for most adults.
B. The length of the bladder of the cuff must be at least 80% of the arm circumference.
C. The patient should be seated quietly for 30 minutes before a blood pressure measurement is taken.
D. The patient should be seated on an examination table when a blood pressure is taken.
E. The patient's arm should be supported at heart level. - The correct answers are B, E.
Based on what you know about the patient so far, write a one- to three- sentence summary statement
to communicate your understanding of the patient to other providers. - Mr. Samuel is a 52-year-old
male who presents for a routine physical exam after not engaging in regular health care for over a
decade. He has no concerns, but his blood pressure is elevated today. Other than being overweight,
the remainder of his physical exam is unremarkable. In terms of his cardiac risk factors, due to his
work as a taxi driver, he often eats fast food; he does not smoke tobacco. His father also had a
myocardial infarction at age 62, though this is not considered "premature" cardiac disease (which is
officially defined as <55 in males). He has some financial stressors, and does not have health
insurance.
