John Hay
John Hay Biomedical
Student Hub · Go Hornets 🐝
My ClassGlossaryAboutFeedback
Principles of Biomedical Technology (Principles of Biomedical Science)
Unit 2: Unit 2.1 Clinical DataPBS 2.1Biotechnology Research and Experiments

Identify Risk Factors

Use patient evidence to identify risk factors without overclaiming.

Builds on (2 levels back)inferred · high confidence
  • Sign vs. symptom: Clinical data mixes measured findings with patient-reported history.
  • Normal range comparison: Students need a reference range or baseline to tell whether a value is concerning.

Prerequisites are inferred: pending teacher review.

Re-learn the skill with worked practice and clear examples.

Sort risk factors into modifiable (can be changed) and non-modifiable (cannot be changed).

Step 1: Read the table
The table labels factors as modifiable or non-modifiable.
FactorType
SmokingModifiable
Family history of heart diseaseNon-modifiable
Lack of exerciseModifiable
AgeNon-modifiable
Table of risk factors labeled modifiable or non-modifiable
Step 2: Apply the labels
Habits can often be changed; age and family history cannot.
Practice

Using the table, which risk factor is NON-MODIFIABLE (cannot be changed)?

Reviewed
FactorType
SmokingModifiable
Family history of heart diseaseNon-modifiable
Lack of exerciseModifiable
AgeNon-modifiable
Table of risk factors labeled modifiable or non-modifiable
  1. A.Family history of heart disease
  2. B.Smoking
  3. C.Lack of exercise
  4. D.Eating high-salt food
Show the worked solution ▾

Answer: A. Family history of heart disease

  1. Step 1: Find the non-modifiable rows: The table marks family history and age as non-modifiable.
  2. Step 2: Match the choice: Family history is listed as non-modifiable.

Why it's right: The table labels family history of heart disease as non-modifiable because a person cannot change their genes.

Why the others miss:
  • B: The table labels smoking as modifiable because it is a habit.
  • C: The table labels lack of exercise as modifiable.
  • D: Diet is a habit that can be changed, so it is modifiable.

Aligned to Biotechnology Research and Experiments · reading level ~grade 9

Where you'd see this
  • A clinician sorts a patient's risk factors to see which ones the patient can act on.
Careers that use this
Epidemiologist: Identifies which factors raise disease risk and sorts those that can be changed from those that cannot.
Video library
Watch: Identify Risk Factors
Definition of Modifiable and Non-Modifiable Risk Factors
Adi's Med Videos · 7:19
Guided notes

Fill these in as you work through the lesson.

Big idea: Risk factors raise the chance of disease; some can be changed and some cannot, and they differ from symptoms.
Key terms: write the meaning
  • Risk factor (something that raises the chance of disease):  
  • Modifiable (can be changed):  
  • Non-modifiable (cannot be changed):  
  • Symptom (what the patient feels now):  
The rule

A risk factor raises the   of disease; it can be   or non-modifiable, and it is not the same as a symptom.

Check yourself
  1. Which item raises the chance of disease? 
  2. Can this risk factor be changed? 
  3. Is this a risk factor or a symptom? 
Work one example

Read the risk-factor table and sort each factor into modifiable or non-modifiable.