Visual Anatomy SOAP NOTE Sherry, a 43-year-old mother of two, has been experiencing some slightly troublesome physical and mental problems that, as best as she could recall, began about eight months ago. She had been a physically fit 130-lb person with a bright, happy and cheerful disposition all her adult life. Within the past few months, however, she has been restless, anxious, and quite irritable. She has also lost a considerable amount of weight, even though her diet and exercise levels had not changed. Because Sherry just wasn’t feeling “right,” she decided to make an appointment with her family physician. Sherry tells her physician that she has been restless, anxious, and irritable. She is having a hard time sleeping, complains of diarrhea and weight loss, and has an increased appetite without weight gain. Visual examination of her neck reveals an enlargement of the right anterior neck. During the examination, her physician notices a higher-than-normal heart rate and a fine tremor in her outstretched fingers. Her physician suspects hyperthyroidism and the diagnosis was confirmed with a blood test. (modified from: Martini F. 2011. Visual Anatomy
