A 78-Year-Old Retired Professor Comes to the Physician Because of Occasional

question 486

Multiple Choice

A 78-year-old retired professor comes to the physician because of occasional headaches that have gradually worsened over the last six months.  The headaches are right-sided and involve the corner of the right eye.  He also gets pains in his jaw while chewing food.  He has hyperlipidemia and he takes atorvastatin daily.  He asks if the medication might be causing his symptoms.
His other medical problems include coronary artery disease for which he had a stent placed in his left anterior descending artery five years ago.  He has no history of strokes, vision problems, or peripheral artery disease.  He is a lifetime non-smoker.
Physical examination reveals a right-sided carotid bruit.  Heart sounds are normal.  The remainder of the physical examination is within normal limits.
Laboratory results are as follows:

Which of the following should be part of the long-term management for this patient?

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Definitions:

Systematic Desensitization

A behavior therapy used to reduce phobic reactions through gradual exposure to feared stimuli or situations combined with relaxation techniques or coping mechanisms.

Traumatic

Pertaining to or resulting from an event that causes severe emotional stress or physical injury.

Modeling

A learning method in which individuals learn by observing and imitating the behaviors of others.

Observation

The active acquisition of information from a primary source using the senses or specialized scientific equipment.