Examkin

Question

Difficulty: MediumPreventive Care and Screening

A 66-year-old biological male presents to a community clinic to review his preventive health needs. He recently moved to the area and wants to ensure he is up to date with his required medical care. His past medical history includes well-controlled essential hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and mild osteoarthritis. His daily medications are amlodipine, rosuvastatin, and as-needed acetaminophen. Review of his social history reveals that he smoked half a pack of cigarettes daily from age 20 to 50 but successfully quit 16 years ago. He is a retired teacher and consumes one glass of wine weekly. Medical records indicate he had a normal screening colonoscopy four years ago, a negative hepatitis C virus antibody test, and completed the two-dose recombinant zoster series. Last year, he received the 20-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine and his annual high-dose influenza vaccine. Today, his blood pressure is 124/76124/76 mmHg and his body mass index is 2626 kg/m2kg/m^2. Physical examination is unremarkable. Which of the following is the most appropriate health maintenance intervention for this patient at this time?

  1. Abdominal ultrasonographyAnswer
  2. B
    Low-dose computed tomography of the chest
  3. C
    Fecal immunochemical testing
  4. D
    Initiation of daily low-dose aspirin
  5. E
    Dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry

Answer

The most appropriate health maintenance intervention is a one-time abdominal ultrasonography to screen for an abdominal aortic aneurysm.
The correct intervention is abdominal ultrasonography. According to the United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF), a one-time screening for an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) with an abdominal ultrasound is recommended (Grade B) for men aged 65 to 75 years who have ever smoked. 'Ever smoked' is clinically defined as having consumed at least 100 cigarettes over a lifetime. This patient's 30-year smoking history easily meets this threshold, making him eligible for this crucial one-time screening to prevent AAA rupture.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Analyze the patient's demographic and social risk factors.
The patient is a 66-year-old male with a 30-year history of smoking half a pack per day (15 pack-years), having quit 16 years ago.
Age, sex, and precise smoking history dictate eligibility for specific high-yield USPSTF screenings.
2
Evaluate eligibility for lung cancer screening.
The patient does not qualify for low-dose computed tomography (LDCT).
USPSTF guidelines for LDCT require a minimum 20 pack-year history AND current smoking or having quit within the last 15 years. He fails both criteria.
3
Evaluate eligibility for abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) screening.
The patient meets all criteria for AAA screening.
The USPSTF recommends a one-time abdominal ultrasound for men aged 65 to 75 who have 'ever smoked' (defined as ≥100\ge 100 cigarettes in a lifetime).
4
Rule out overlapping or contraindicated preventive measures.
Colorectal screening is up to date, DEXA is not routinely indicated for men, and initiating aspirin for primary prevention is contraindicated at age ≥60\ge 60.
Ensures no other option supersedes the indication for AAA screening based on current evidence-based guidelines.

Key Concept

USPSTF guidelines mandate a one-time screening for abdominal aortic aneurysm with ultrasonography in men aged 65 to 75 years who have a lifetime history of smoking at least 100 cigarettes.
Rate this question

Topics

Preventive Care and Screening

More questions from this topic