1. What are the four main components of a comprehensive health history? How do they differ from a focused health history? - The four main components of a comprehensive health history are: biographical data, reason for seeking care, present health or history of present illness, and past health. A comprehensive health history is a detailed and thorough assessment of the patient's health status, while a focused health history is a brief and specific assessment of a particular problem or concern. 2. What are some common risk factors for cardiovascular disease? How would you assess them in a physical examination? - Some common risk factors for cardiovascular disease are: hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, family history, and age. To assess them in a physical examination, you would measure the blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate; auscultate the heart sounds and check for murmurs, gallops, or rubs; palpate the carotid, radial, femoral, popliteal, dorsalis pedis, and posterior tibial pulses; inspect the skin for color, temperature, texture, and edema; and ask about the patient's medical history, medications, diet, exercise, smoking habits, and family history. 3. What are the three types of abdominal pain? How can you differentiate them based on their location, quality, intensity, duration, and associated symptoms? - The three types of abdominal pain are: visceral pain, parietal pain, and referred pain. Visceral pain is caused by the stimulation of nerve endings in the abdominal organs. It is usually diffuse, dull, or cramping, and may vary in intensity depending on the cause. It may be associated with nausea, vomiting, diaphoresis, or changes in bowel habits. Parietal pain is caused by the inflammation or irritation of the peritoneum. It is usually localized, sharp, or stabbing, and constant in intensity. It may be aggravated by movement or coughing. It may be associated with fever, rigidity, or rebound tenderness. Referred pain is caused by the transmission of pain impulses from one organ to another that share the same nerve pathways. It is usually felt at a distant site from the source of pain. It may have the same characteristics as the original pain or may be different. 4. What are some common causes of altered mental status in older adults? How would you assess them using the Confusion Assessment Method (CAM)? - Some common causes of altered mental status in older adults are: delirium, dementia, depression, infection, dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, medication side effects or interactions, hypoxia, hypoglycemia, or stroke. To assess them using the CAM, you would first determine if the patient has an acute onset of confusion or fluctuating course of mental status. Then you would check for the presence of inattention (difficulty focusing or following commands), disorganized thinking (illogical or irrelevant speech), or altered level of consciousness (hyperactive or hypoactive). If the patient has both an acute onset or fluctuating course and either inattention or disorganized thinking, they have delirium. If they have only one or none of these features, they do not have delirium. 5. What are some common skin lesions that may indicate malignancy? How would you describe them using the ABCDE rule? - Some common skin lesions that may indicate malignancy are: basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma. To describe them using the ABCDE rule, you would look for: Asymmetry (one half does not match the other), Border irregularity (edges are notched or scalloped), Color variation (multiple shades of brown, black, red,