Kathleen Parks iHuman Case Study: Chronic Headaches in a 26-Year-Old Female (Class 6512)

This iHuman case study focuses on Kathleen Parks, a 26-year-old female graphic designer presenting with a three-month history of chronic, severe headaches. Designed for Walden University’s NURS 6512 – Advanced Health Assessment and Diagnostic Reasoning course, this updated case study challenges students to assess, diagnose, and manage a complex chronic illness. Kathleen’s symptoms include daily headaches (rated 8/10) in the frontal and temporal regions, accompanied by nausea, photophobia, and occasional aura, exacerbated by stress, prolonged computer use, and sleep deprivation. The case includes a detailed history of present illness (HPI), physical examination, differential diagnosis, and a comprehensive management plan. Students will explore primary headache disorders like migraines, rule out secondary causes through diagnostic testing (e.g., MRI brain, labs), and develop patient-centered interventions, including lifestyle modifications, acute treatment with sumatriptan, and potential preventive therapy. Additional components include patient education, follow-up care, and clinical reasoning reflections, emphasizing a holistic approach to chronic illness management. This latest version incorporates expert feedback, assessment questions, and learning objectives to enhance diagnostic and therapeutic skills for advanced nursing students.