NURS 6501 FINAL EXAM QUESTION AND ANSWERS [COMPLETE FINAL EXAM
2023\2024
1. Health History and Physical Examination
Question 1: A 65-year-old patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
are the critical components of the health history and physical examination?
Answer:
Health History:
o Chief Complaint: Onset, duration, and nature of chest pain.
o Associated Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, sweating.
o Past Medical History: History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes.
o Family History: Cardiovascular diseases, sudden deaths.
o Social History: Smoking history, alcohol use, exercise habits.
o Medications: Current medications, adherence, and any recent changes.
Physical Examination:
o Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature.
o Cardiovascular Exam: Inspection, palpation, and auscultation for heart sounds,
murmurs.
o Respiratory Exam: Breath sounds, inspection for respiratory distress.
o Diagnostic Tests: ECG, chest X-ray, and possibly troponin levels if myocardial
infarction is suspected.
Question 2: A 40-year-old female presents with chronic fatigue and weight gain. What should be
included in the physical examination and health history?
Answer:
Health History:
o Chief Complaint: Duration and severity of fatigue, any recent weight gain.
o Associated Symptoms: Sleep patterns, appetite changes, mood changes.
o Past Medical History: Thyroid disorders, diabetes, depression.
o Family History: Thyroid disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome.
o Social History: Stress levels, exercise habits, dietary intake.
o Medications: Current medications and any recent changes.
Physical Examination:
o Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, BMI.
o Thyroid Exam: Inspection and palpation for thyroid enlargement or nodules.
o General Exam: Assess for signs of metabolic syndrome or other systemic
conditions.
o Laboratory Tests: Thyroid function tests, glucose levels, and possibly lipid
profile.
2. Diagnostic Reasoning
2023\2024
1. Health History and Physical Examination
Question 1: A 65-year-old patient presents with sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What
are the critical components of the health history and physical examination?
Answer:
Health History:
o Chief Complaint: Onset, duration, and nature of chest pain.
o Associated Symptoms: Shortness of breath, dizziness, nausea, sweating.
o Past Medical History: History of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes.
o Family History: Cardiovascular diseases, sudden deaths.
o Social History: Smoking history, alcohol use, exercise habits.
o Medications: Current medications, adherence, and any recent changes.
Physical Examination:
o Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, respiratory rate, temperature.
o Cardiovascular Exam: Inspection, palpation, and auscultation for heart sounds,
murmurs.
o Respiratory Exam: Breath sounds, inspection for respiratory distress.
o Diagnostic Tests: ECG, chest X-ray, and possibly troponin levels if myocardial
infarction is suspected.
Question 2: A 40-year-old female presents with chronic fatigue and weight gain. What should be
included in the physical examination and health history?
Answer:
Health History:
o Chief Complaint: Duration and severity of fatigue, any recent weight gain.
o Associated Symptoms: Sleep patterns, appetite changes, mood changes.
o Past Medical History: Thyroid disorders, diabetes, depression.
o Family History: Thyroid disease, obesity, metabolic syndrome.
o Social History: Stress levels, exercise habits, dietary intake.
o Medications: Current medications and any recent changes.
Physical Examination:
o Vital Signs: Blood pressure, heart rate, weight, BMI.
o Thyroid Exam: Inspection and palpation for thyroid enlargement or nodules.
o General Exam: Assess for signs of metabolic syndrome or other systemic
conditions.
o Laboratory Tests: Thyroid function tests, glucose levels, and possibly lipid
profile.
2. Diagnostic Reasoning
