WGU-Comprehensive Health
Assessment for Patients and
Populations UJC2
A 22-year-old advertising copywriter presents for evaluation of joint pain. The pain is
new, located in the wrists and fingers bilaterally, with some subjective fever. The patient
denies a rash; she also denies recent travel or camping activities. She has a family
history significant for rheumatoid arthritis. Based on this information, which of the
following pathologic processes would be the most correct?
A) Infectious
B) Inflammatory
C) Hematologic
D) Traumatic
A 35-year-old archaeologist comes to your office (located in Phoenix, Arizona) for a
regular skin check-up. She has just returned from her annual dig site in Greece. She
has fair skin and reddish-blonde hair. She has a family history of melanoma. She has
many freckles scattered across her skin. From this description, which of the following is
not a risk factor for melanoma in this patient?
A) Age
B) Hair color
C) Actinic lentigines
D) Heavy sun exposure
A 15-year-old high school sophomore and her mother come to your clinic because the
mother is concerned about her daughter's weight. You measure her daughter's height
and weight and obtain a BMI of 19.5 kg/m2. Based on this information, which of the
following is appropriate?
A) Refer the patient to a nutritionist and a psychologist because the patient is anorexic.
B) Reassure the mother that this is a normal body weight.
C) Give the patient information about exercise because the patient is obese.
D) Give the patient information concerning reduction of fat and cholesterol in her diet
because she is obese.
A 32-year-old attorney comes to your office for her second prenatal visit. She has had
two previous pregnancies with uneventful prenatal care and vaginal deliveries. Her only
problem was that with each pregnancy she gained 50 lbs (23 kg) and had difficulty
losing the weight afterward. She has no complaints today. Looking at her chart, you see
she is currently 10 weeks pregnant and that her prenatal weight was 130 lbs (59 kg).
Her weight today is 134 lbs (60.9 kg). Her height is 5'4", giving her a BMI of 22. Her
blood pressure, pulse, and urine tests are unremarkable. The fetal heart tone is difficult
to find but is located and is 150. While you give her first trimester education, you tell her
how much weight you expect her to gain.
,How much weight should this patient gain during pregnancy?
A) Less than 15 pounds (less than 7 kg)
B) 15 to 25 pounds (7 to 11.5 kg)
C) 25 to 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kg)
D) 30 to 40 pounds (12.5 to 18 kg)
You are beginning the examination of the skin on a 25-year-old teacher. You have
previously elicited that she came to the office for evaluation of fatigue, weight gain, and
hair loss. You strongly suspect that she has hypothyroidism. What is the expected
moisture and texture of the skin of a patient with hypothyroidism?
A) Moist and smooth
B) Moist and rough
C) Dry and smooth
D) Dry and rough
A middle-aged man comes in because he has noticed multiple small, blood-red, raised
lesions over his anterior chest and abdomen for the past several months. They are not
painful and he has not noted any bleeding or bruising. He is concerned this may be
consistent with a dangerous condition. What should you do?
A) Reassure him that there is nothing to worry about.
B) Do laboratory work to check for platelet problems.
C) Obtain an extensive history regarding blood problems and bleeding disorders.
D) Do a skin biopsy in the office.
A 23-year-old ticket agent is brought in by her husband because he is concerned about
her recent behavior. He states that for the last 2 weeks she has been completely out of
control. He says that she hasn't showered in days, stays awake most of the night
cleaning their apartment, and has run up over $1,000 on their credit cards. While he is
talking, the patient interrupts him frequently and declares this is all untrue and she has
never been so happy and fulfilled in her whole life. She speaks very quickly, changing
the subject often. After a longer than normal interview you find out she has had no
recent illnesses or injuries. Her past medical history is unremarkable. Both her parents
are healthy but the husband has heard rumors about an aunt with similar symptoms.
She and her husband have no children. She smokes one pack of cigarettes a day
(although she has been chain-smoking in the last 2 weeks), drinks four to six drinks a
week, and smokes marijuana occasionally. On examination she is very loud and
outspoken. Her physical examination is unremarkable. Which mood disorder does she
most likely have?
A) Major depressive episode
B) Manic episode
C) Dysthymic disorder
Jacob, a 33-year-old construction worker, complains of a "lump on his back" over his
scapula. It has been there for about a year and is getting larger. He says his wife has
been able to squeeze out a cheesy-textured substance on occasion. He worries this
,may be cancer. When gently pinched from the side, a prominent dimple forms in the
middle of the mass. What is most likely?
A) An enlarged lymph node
B) A sebaceous cyst
C) An actinic keratosis
D) A malignant lesion
A patient comes to you for the appearance of red patches on his forearms that have
been present for several months. They remain for several weeks. He denies a history of
trauma. Which of the following is likely?
A) Actinic keratoses
B) Pseudoscars
C) Actinic purpura
D) Cherry angiomas
A patient is describing a very personal part of her history very quickly and in great detail.
How should you react to this?
A) Write down as much as you can, as quickly as possible.
B) Ask her to repeat key phrases or to pause at regular intervals, so you can get almost
every word.
C) Tell her that she can go over the notes later to make sure they are accurate.
D) Push away from the keyboard or put down your pen and listen.
Mrs. Glynn is 90 years old and lives alone. She is able to bathe, dress, prepare her
food, and transfer from bed to chair independently. She has children in the area who
help her with her medications and transportation needs. Which of the following is
considered an instrumental activity of daily living?
A) Bathing
B) Dressing
C) Preparing food
D) Transferring from bed to chair
A young mother presents with a pregnancy confirmed by urine HCG. Her LMP was June
20. Using Naegele's rule, you estimate what day of delivery?
A) March 27
B) April 13
C) February 20
D) February 13
When using an interpreter to facilitate an interview, where should the interpreter be
positioned?
A) Behind you, the examiner, so that the lips of the patient and the patient's nonverbal
cues can be seen
B) Next to the patient, so the examiner can maintain eye contact and observe the
nonverbal cues of the patient
C) Between you and the patient so all parties can make the necessary observations
, D) In a corner of the room so as to provide minimal distraction to the interview
Which of the following represents age-related changes in the lungs?
A) Decrease in chest wall compliance
B) Speed of expiration increases
C) Increase in respiratory muscle strength
D) Increased elastic recoil of lung tissue
A 67-year-old retired janitor comes to the clinic with his wife. She brought him in
because she is concerned about his weight loss. He has a history of smoking 3 packs of
cigarettes a day for 30 years, for a total of 90 pack-years. He has noticed a daily cough
for the past several years, which he states is productive of sputum. He came into the
clinic approximately 1 year ago, and at that time his weight was 140 pounds. Today, his
weight is 110 pounds. Which one of the following questions would be the most
important to ask if you suspect that he has lung cancer?
A) Have you tried to force yourself to vomit after eating a meal?
B) Do you have heartburn/indigestion and diarrhea?
C) Do you have enough food to eat?
D) Have you tried to lose weight?
A 19-year old-college student presents to the emergency room with fever, headache,
and neck pain/stiffness. She is concerned about the possibility of meningococcal
meningitis. Several of her dorm mates have been vaccinated, but she hasn't been.
Which of the following physical examination descriptions is most consistent with
meningitis?
A) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with sharp discs, neck supple with full
range of motion
B) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with sharp discs, neck with paraspinous
muscle spasm and limited range of motion to the right
C) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with blurred disc margins, neck tender
to palpation, unable to perform range of motion
D) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with blurred disc margins, neck supple
with full range of motion
A young woman comes in for a routine wellness examination. You notice that her
vaginal walls have deep rugae and are slightly bluish in color. She also has a thicker
white discharge. What should you suspect?
A) Hypoxia
B) Varicosities
C) Pregnancy
D) Sexually transmitted infection
Adam is a very successful 15-year-old student and athlete. His mother brings him in
today because he no longer studies, works out, or sees his friends. This has gone on for
a month and a half. When you speak with him alone in the room, he states it "would be
better if he were not here." What would you do next?
Assessment for Patients and
Populations UJC2
A 22-year-old advertising copywriter presents for evaluation of joint pain. The pain is
new, located in the wrists and fingers bilaterally, with some subjective fever. The patient
denies a rash; she also denies recent travel or camping activities. She has a family
history significant for rheumatoid arthritis. Based on this information, which of the
following pathologic processes would be the most correct?
A) Infectious
B) Inflammatory
C) Hematologic
D) Traumatic
A 35-year-old archaeologist comes to your office (located in Phoenix, Arizona) for a
regular skin check-up. She has just returned from her annual dig site in Greece. She
has fair skin and reddish-blonde hair. She has a family history of melanoma. She has
many freckles scattered across her skin. From this description, which of the following is
not a risk factor for melanoma in this patient?
A) Age
B) Hair color
C) Actinic lentigines
D) Heavy sun exposure
A 15-year-old high school sophomore and her mother come to your clinic because the
mother is concerned about her daughter's weight. You measure her daughter's height
and weight and obtain a BMI of 19.5 kg/m2. Based on this information, which of the
following is appropriate?
A) Refer the patient to a nutritionist and a psychologist because the patient is anorexic.
B) Reassure the mother that this is a normal body weight.
C) Give the patient information about exercise because the patient is obese.
D) Give the patient information concerning reduction of fat and cholesterol in her diet
because she is obese.
A 32-year-old attorney comes to your office for her second prenatal visit. She has had
two previous pregnancies with uneventful prenatal care and vaginal deliveries. Her only
problem was that with each pregnancy she gained 50 lbs (23 kg) and had difficulty
losing the weight afterward. She has no complaints today. Looking at her chart, you see
she is currently 10 weeks pregnant and that her prenatal weight was 130 lbs (59 kg).
Her weight today is 134 lbs (60.9 kg). Her height is 5'4", giving her a BMI of 22. Her
blood pressure, pulse, and urine tests are unremarkable. The fetal heart tone is difficult
to find but is located and is 150. While you give her first trimester education, you tell her
how much weight you expect her to gain.
,How much weight should this patient gain during pregnancy?
A) Less than 15 pounds (less than 7 kg)
B) 15 to 25 pounds (7 to 11.5 kg)
C) 25 to 35 pounds (11.5 to 16 kg)
D) 30 to 40 pounds (12.5 to 18 kg)
You are beginning the examination of the skin on a 25-year-old teacher. You have
previously elicited that she came to the office for evaluation of fatigue, weight gain, and
hair loss. You strongly suspect that she has hypothyroidism. What is the expected
moisture and texture of the skin of a patient with hypothyroidism?
A) Moist and smooth
B) Moist and rough
C) Dry and smooth
D) Dry and rough
A middle-aged man comes in because he has noticed multiple small, blood-red, raised
lesions over his anterior chest and abdomen for the past several months. They are not
painful and he has not noted any bleeding or bruising. He is concerned this may be
consistent with a dangerous condition. What should you do?
A) Reassure him that there is nothing to worry about.
B) Do laboratory work to check for platelet problems.
C) Obtain an extensive history regarding blood problems and bleeding disorders.
D) Do a skin biopsy in the office.
A 23-year-old ticket agent is brought in by her husband because he is concerned about
her recent behavior. He states that for the last 2 weeks she has been completely out of
control. He says that she hasn't showered in days, stays awake most of the night
cleaning their apartment, and has run up over $1,000 on their credit cards. While he is
talking, the patient interrupts him frequently and declares this is all untrue and she has
never been so happy and fulfilled in her whole life. She speaks very quickly, changing
the subject often. After a longer than normal interview you find out she has had no
recent illnesses or injuries. Her past medical history is unremarkable. Both her parents
are healthy but the husband has heard rumors about an aunt with similar symptoms.
She and her husband have no children. She smokes one pack of cigarettes a day
(although she has been chain-smoking in the last 2 weeks), drinks four to six drinks a
week, and smokes marijuana occasionally. On examination she is very loud and
outspoken. Her physical examination is unremarkable. Which mood disorder does she
most likely have?
A) Major depressive episode
B) Manic episode
C) Dysthymic disorder
Jacob, a 33-year-old construction worker, complains of a "lump on his back" over his
scapula. It has been there for about a year and is getting larger. He says his wife has
been able to squeeze out a cheesy-textured substance on occasion. He worries this
,may be cancer. When gently pinched from the side, a prominent dimple forms in the
middle of the mass. What is most likely?
A) An enlarged lymph node
B) A sebaceous cyst
C) An actinic keratosis
D) A malignant lesion
A patient comes to you for the appearance of red patches on his forearms that have
been present for several months. They remain for several weeks. He denies a history of
trauma. Which of the following is likely?
A) Actinic keratoses
B) Pseudoscars
C) Actinic purpura
D) Cherry angiomas
A patient is describing a very personal part of her history very quickly and in great detail.
How should you react to this?
A) Write down as much as you can, as quickly as possible.
B) Ask her to repeat key phrases or to pause at regular intervals, so you can get almost
every word.
C) Tell her that she can go over the notes later to make sure they are accurate.
D) Push away from the keyboard or put down your pen and listen.
Mrs. Glynn is 90 years old and lives alone. She is able to bathe, dress, prepare her
food, and transfer from bed to chair independently. She has children in the area who
help her with her medications and transportation needs. Which of the following is
considered an instrumental activity of daily living?
A) Bathing
B) Dressing
C) Preparing food
D) Transferring from bed to chair
A young mother presents with a pregnancy confirmed by urine HCG. Her LMP was June
20. Using Naegele's rule, you estimate what day of delivery?
A) March 27
B) April 13
C) February 20
D) February 13
When using an interpreter to facilitate an interview, where should the interpreter be
positioned?
A) Behind you, the examiner, so that the lips of the patient and the patient's nonverbal
cues can be seen
B) Next to the patient, so the examiner can maintain eye contact and observe the
nonverbal cues of the patient
C) Between you and the patient so all parties can make the necessary observations
, D) In a corner of the room so as to provide minimal distraction to the interview
Which of the following represents age-related changes in the lungs?
A) Decrease in chest wall compliance
B) Speed of expiration increases
C) Increase in respiratory muscle strength
D) Increased elastic recoil of lung tissue
A 67-year-old retired janitor comes to the clinic with his wife. She brought him in
because she is concerned about his weight loss. He has a history of smoking 3 packs of
cigarettes a day for 30 years, for a total of 90 pack-years. He has noticed a daily cough
for the past several years, which he states is productive of sputum. He came into the
clinic approximately 1 year ago, and at that time his weight was 140 pounds. Today, his
weight is 110 pounds. Which one of the following questions would be the most
important to ask if you suspect that he has lung cancer?
A) Have you tried to force yourself to vomit after eating a meal?
B) Do you have heartburn/indigestion and diarrhea?
C) Do you have enough food to eat?
D) Have you tried to lose weight?
A 19-year old-college student presents to the emergency room with fever, headache,
and neck pain/stiffness. She is concerned about the possibility of meningococcal
meningitis. Several of her dorm mates have been vaccinated, but she hasn't been.
Which of the following physical examination descriptions is most consistent with
meningitis?
A) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with sharp discs, neck supple with full
range of motion
B) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with sharp discs, neck with paraspinous
muscle spasm and limited range of motion to the right
C) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with blurred disc margins, neck tender
to palpation, unable to perform range of motion
D) Head is normocephalic and atraumatic, fundi with blurred disc margins, neck supple
with full range of motion
A young woman comes in for a routine wellness examination. You notice that her
vaginal walls have deep rugae and are slightly bluish in color. She also has a thicker
white discharge. What should you suspect?
A) Hypoxia
B) Varicosities
C) Pregnancy
D) Sexually transmitted infection
Adam is a very successful 15-year-old student and athlete. His mother brings him in
today because he no longer studies, works out, or sees his friends. This has gone on for
a month and a half. When you speak with him alone in the room, he states it "would be
better if he were not here." What would you do next?
