1. A 45-year-old male patient presents with a history of chronic low back

pain that radiates to his right leg. He has tried over-the-counter analgesics

and physical therapy, but they have not helped. He also reports difficulty

sleeping and feeling depressed. What is the most likely diagnosis for this

patient?

a) Lumbar disc herniation

b) Lumbar spinal stenosis

c) Lumbar spondylolisthesis

d) Lumbar radiculopathy*

Rationale: Lumbar radiculopathy is a condition where the nerve roots in the

lower spine are compressed or irritated, causing pain, numbness, tingling,

or weakness in the lower back and leg. The pain may be worse with certain

movements or positions, such as bending, twisting, or sitting. Lumbar disc

herniation, spinal stenosis, and spondylolisthesis are possible causes of

lumbar radiculopathy, but they are not the diagnosis itself.

2. A 60-year-old female patient comes to the clinic for a routine check-up.

She has a history of hypertension, diabetes, and hyperlipidemia. She takes

metformin, lisinopril, and atorvastatin. Her blood pressure is 150/90

mmHg, her fasting blood glucose is 180 mg/dL, and her LDL cholesterol is

160 mg/dL. What is the best course of action for this patient?