AHA Case Studies for Exam 3 Preparation Material
AHA CASE STUDIES FOR EXAM 3 PREPARATION MATERIAL
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
|ALREADY GRADED A+
Ms. Harris is a 33-year-old woman who presents to the urgent care center. Listed
below are data
collected by the examiner during the interview and examination.
Interview Data
Ms. Harris tells the examiner, "I have a really bad pain in front of my butt. It hurts
so much that I
can't even wipe with a tissue after I go to the bathroom." She indicates that the
pain started 2 days
ago and is much worse now. When asked about her sexual activity, Ms. Harris
says, "I have a guy
that I'm with, but it's not exclusive or anything. We see other people and try not
to be real serious."
Examination Data
External: Typical hair distribution; urethral meatus intact; no redness or discharge.
Perineum intact.
Extreme pain response to palpation of vaginal opening. Swelling, redness, and
mass detected on
right side. Foul-smelling discharge noted.
Internal: Examination deferred because of extreme pain associated with
inflammation.
Case Study (female genitalia)
What data deviate from normal findings, suggesting a need for further
investigation? (female genitalia)
Data deviating from normal: History suggests some type of acute inflammation.
History is also suggestive of multiple sex contacts; primary partner has multiple
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, AHA Case Studies for Exam 3 Preparation Material
sex contacts. Mass with inflammation, discharge, and extreme pain to palpation
needs further evaluation.
What additional questions could the examiner ask to clarify symptoms? (female
genitalia)
Ask patient about sexual history and associated medical problems, if any.
Identification of protection (or lack of) would also be helpful.
What additional physical examination, if any, should the examiner complete?
(female genitalia)
A culture of discharge should be obtained for evaluation. If patient is too
uncomfortable for internal examination, this may need to be delayed until the
inflammation has resolved.
What primary problems does the patient have? (female genitalia)
Based on symptoms and findings, the patient most
likely has an acute abscess of the Bartholin gland. This is frequently associated
with gonococcal or staphylococcal infection.
Lillian is a 42-year-old blind patient who requests a routine examination. How
should the examiner approach this patient to best meet her needs?
The key concept when performing an examination on a patient with a visual
impairment is to explain everything that is to occur, as well as what you want the
patient to do. Before the examination, the patient should be given an opportunity
to explore the instruments used during the examination. Other general concepts
to keep in mind include introducing yourself, remembering to identify others who
enter the room, and letting the patient know when others are leaving the room.
Also, orient the patient to the surroundings. This patient may need assistance in
getting into the proper position for examination.
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, AHA Case Studies for Exam 3 Preparation Material
Judy is a 16-year-old girl who is in the clinic for a school sports physical. How
should her health history and an
examination of her genitalia differ from that of an adult?
The history is vital to obtain. At this age, it is necessary to talk with her while her
parents are out of the room. Questions should be simple, gentle, and
nonjudgmental. These will greatly improve the accuracy of the information she is
willing to share. There is no one set rule to determine the age when a full
examination of the genitalia is necessary. However, a good rule of thumb is that if
the patient is sexually active, then an examination should be done. The
examination should be carried out similarly to that of an adult.
Julie is a 46-year-old woman who comes to the clinic because she has discovered a
lump in her left
breast. Listed below are data collected during an interview and examination.
Interview Data
Julie tells the examiner that she first noticed the lump about 9 months ago.
Because the lump
seemed small and did not hurt, she did not think it was much to worry about.
Recently, Julie began
noticing that the lump felt bigger and decided she better have someone look at it.
Julie tells the
examiner, "I just know it is not cancer because I am much too young and healthy.
And if it is, I am
not about to let some doctor mutilate me with a knife. I'd rather die than have my
breast cut off."
The examiner asks Julie whether she has noticed any redness or dimpling of the
breast. Julie
replies, "No, not really, but I don't pay attention to those sorts of things." She tells
the examiner that
she started having regular menstrual cycles at the age of 11 years and has not
reached menopause.
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AHA CASE STUDIES FOR EXAM 3 PREPARATION MATERIAL
2025/2026 COMPLETE QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
|ALREADY GRADED A+
Ms. Harris is a 33-year-old woman who presents to the urgent care center. Listed
below are data
collected by the examiner during the interview and examination.
Interview Data
Ms. Harris tells the examiner, "I have a really bad pain in front of my butt. It hurts
so much that I
can't even wipe with a tissue after I go to the bathroom." She indicates that the
pain started 2 days
ago and is much worse now. When asked about her sexual activity, Ms. Harris
says, "I have a guy
that I'm with, but it's not exclusive or anything. We see other people and try not
to be real serious."
Examination Data
External: Typical hair distribution; urethral meatus intact; no redness or discharge.
Perineum intact.
Extreme pain response to palpation of vaginal opening. Swelling, redness, and
mass detected on
right side. Foul-smelling discharge noted.
Internal: Examination deferred because of extreme pain associated with
inflammation.
Case Study (female genitalia)
What data deviate from normal findings, suggesting a need for further
investigation? (female genitalia)
Data deviating from normal: History suggests some type of acute inflammation.
History is also suggestive of multiple sex contacts; primary partner has multiple
1|Page
, AHA Case Studies for Exam 3 Preparation Material
sex contacts. Mass with inflammation, discharge, and extreme pain to palpation
needs further evaluation.
What additional questions could the examiner ask to clarify symptoms? (female
genitalia)
Ask patient about sexual history and associated medical problems, if any.
Identification of protection (or lack of) would also be helpful.
What additional physical examination, if any, should the examiner complete?
(female genitalia)
A culture of discharge should be obtained for evaluation. If patient is too
uncomfortable for internal examination, this may need to be delayed until the
inflammation has resolved.
What primary problems does the patient have? (female genitalia)
Based on symptoms and findings, the patient most
likely has an acute abscess of the Bartholin gland. This is frequently associated
with gonococcal or staphylococcal infection.
Lillian is a 42-year-old blind patient who requests a routine examination. How
should the examiner approach this patient to best meet her needs?
The key concept when performing an examination on a patient with a visual
impairment is to explain everything that is to occur, as well as what you want the
patient to do. Before the examination, the patient should be given an opportunity
to explore the instruments used during the examination. Other general concepts
to keep in mind include introducing yourself, remembering to identify others who
enter the room, and letting the patient know when others are leaving the room.
Also, orient the patient to the surroundings. This patient may need assistance in
getting into the proper position for examination.
2|Page
, AHA Case Studies for Exam 3 Preparation Material
Judy is a 16-year-old girl who is in the clinic for a school sports physical. How
should her health history and an
examination of her genitalia differ from that of an adult?
The history is vital to obtain. At this age, it is necessary to talk with her while her
parents are out of the room. Questions should be simple, gentle, and
nonjudgmental. These will greatly improve the accuracy of the information she is
willing to share. There is no one set rule to determine the age when a full
examination of the genitalia is necessary. However, a good rule of thumb is that if
the patient is sexually active, then an examination should be done. The
examination should be carried out similarly to that of an adult.
Julie is a 46-year-old woman who comes to the clinic because she has discovered a
lump in her left
breast. Listed below are data collected during an interview and examination.
Interview Data
Julie tells the examiner that she first noticed the lump about 9 months ago.
Because the lump
seemed small and did not hurt, she did not think it was much to worry about.
Recently, Julie began
noticing that the lump felt bigger and decided she better have someone look at it.
Julie tells the
examiner, "I just know it is not cancer because I am much too young and healthy.
And if it is, I am
not about to let some doctor mutilate me with a knife. I'd rather die than have my
breast cut off."
The examiner asks Julie whether she has noticed any redness or dimpling of the
breast. Julie
replies, "No, not really, but I don't pay attention to those sorts of things." She tells
the examiner that
she started having regular menstrual cycles at the age of 11 years and has not
reached menopause.
3|Page
