A 54-Year-Old Man Comes to the Physician Because of Headaches

question 756

Multiple Choice

A 54-year-old man comes to the physician because of headaches, fatigue, and joint pains involving both his wrists and knees.  His wife has noticed that he has been snoring excessively at night.  He has been healthy all his life and takes no medications.  He has not seen a physician for more than 5 years.  He denies tobacco or alcohol use.  Family history is not significant.
His blood pressure is 146/70 mm Hg and pulse is 70/min.  Body mass index (BMI) is 28 kg/m².  Physical examination shows numerous skin tags, widened interdental spaces, and large hands.  Visual fields are normal on confrontation.
Laboratory results are as follows:

The patient is at the highest risk of developing which of the following conditions if left untreated?

• A)Ascending aortic aneurysm
• B)Colonic neoplasia
• C)Hypophosphatemic osteomalacia
• D)Liver cirrhosis
• E)Panacinar emphysema

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Definitions:

Eating Disorders

Mental disorders characterized by abnormal or disturbed eating habits, which can negatively impact an individual's health and emotional well-being.

Causality

Causality is the relation between causes and effects, where one event (the cause) directly leads to another event (the effect).

Thrive

describes a state of flourishing or prospering, often characterized by success, development, or healthy growth in personal, professional, or biological contexts.

Profound Adversity

Severe and extreme difficulties or misfortunes, often leading to significant emotional, physical, or psychological stress.