Questions and Answers
Which medical condition is commonly associated with chronic fatigue lasting more than 6 months?
Which lifestyle factor is least likely to contribute to feelings of fatigue?
What is the primary purpose of the Fatigue Severity Scale?
Which of the following is a psychological factor that can contribute to fatigue?
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Which measurement tool is mainly used among cancer patients to assess fatigue?
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What duration of fatigue is categorized as chronic?
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Which assessment method does NOT typically involve a physical examination?
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Which type of medication is commonly linked to causing fatigue as a side effect?
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Study Notes
Understanding Fatigue
- Fatigue is characterized by exhaustion during or after normal activities, or a lack of energy to initiate activities.
- It is a significant and often neglected symptom influenced by various medical, psychological, and lifestyle factors.
Causes of Fatigue
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Medical Conditions:
- Heart failure, insomnia, cancer, multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome can all lead to fatigue.
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Treatments and Medications:
- Chemotherapy, NSAIDs, antidepressants, and sedatives may contribute to feelings of fatigue.
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Psychological Factors:
- Depression, anxiety, stress, and cognitive overload can exacerbate fatigue.
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Lifestyle Factors:
- Poor sleep hygiene, inadequate nutrition, lack of social interactions, and sedentary behavior increase fatigue risk.
Measurement of Fatigue
- Brief Fatigue Inventory: Primarily used for cancer patients.
- Fatigue Severity Scale: Comprises 9 questions to evaluate fatigue.
- Fatigue Symptom Inventory: Assesses symptoms related to fatigue.
- Multidimensional Assessment of Fatigue Scale: Useful for rheumatoid arthritis patients.
Categories of Fatigue
- Recent Fatigue: Defined as lasting up to one month.
- Chronic Fatigue: Defined as persisting for more than six months.
Assessing Fatigue in Patients
- Conduct a full history to characterize fatigue.
- Evaluate if there are organic illness symptoms associated with fatigue.
- Review medications and potential substance misuse.
- Perform psychiatric screening to rule out mental health issues.
- Inquire about sleep quality and quantity.
- Conduct a physical examination as needed.
- Undertake further investigations to determine underlying causes.
Multiple Choice Question Context
- The Fatigue Severity Scale involves 9 questions used to assess fatigue in cancer and multiple sclerosis patients.
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Description
This quiz explores fatigue as a clinical symptom, its definition, and its various causes. Learn how different medical conditions, psychological factors, and lifestyle choices contribute to feelings of exhaustion. Understanding fatigue can help in recognizing its importance as a symptom in various health contexts.
