You are working in a community outpatient clinic where you perform the intake assessment on R.M., a

Question

38-year-old woman who is attending graduate school and is very sedentary. Her chief complaint is overwhelming fatigue that is not relieved by rest.

She is so exhausted that she has difficulty walking to classes
and trouble concentrating when studying. She reports a recent weight gain of 15 pounds over 2 months
without clear changes in her dietary habits. Her face looks puffy, she has experienced excessive hair loss,
and her skin is dry and pale. She complains of generalized body aches and pains with frequent muscle
cramps and constipation. You notice she is dressed inappropriately warmly for the weather.
Compare her VS with those of a healthy person her same age.

Answer 1

The pulse is bradycardic; bradycardia may be normal in athletes, but not in those who do not
exercise. Bradycardia can signal neurologic disease, endocrine disease, severe hypertension, or
coronary artery disease. Temperature is lower than expected, indicating decreased metabolism and
heat production.