Study of Headache Complaint 2025
Advanced Physical Assessment (Chamberlain University)
, I- Human Week #6: Kathleen Parks -headache complaint
What happened?
I had really bad headaches for a few months associated with nausea and vomiting. I do not have
a headache; it's been a week since the last one. It negatively affects her school and work
responsibilities when she has a bad headache and sleeping it off helps.
HPI: denies contact with sick people; mother had headaches like hers for years
Headaches for about ten years,
• Onset: “When did this start?” I started ten years ago getting headaches every
1-2 months, but in the last few months, they have been happening more
frequently, like every 1-2 weeks. Also, the intensity is increased. It has gotten
worse over the last few months.
• Location: “Where did the problem start; does it move anywhere?” left side
behind the eye and does not radiate
• Duration: “How long does the problem last or is it constant?” they can last up to
15 hours, so the whole day. Increased in frequency lately
• Characteristics: “Can you describe what the problem feels like?” Intense,
throbbing headache. Not constant, it comes and goes. Before a headache
occurs, her vision often gets spotty; it is zig-zaggy with flashing lights.
• Aggravating Factors: “Does anything make it worse?”
Light and noise, stress
• Relieving Factors: “Does anything make it better?” It helps lying down in a
dark room and sleeping it off. Sleeping it off in a dark room helps