Suggestions for a variable lumen AA/AAA for a nurse.

Low frequency PWM rules that one out. Also, the light beam must have a narrow radius.

I think medical applications demand rejecting the budget constraint.

WK02?

This would be a winner for me. I carry my Ultratac A3 with 219 which is basically the same thing except half the price. Works extremely well for pupils, nares, etc.

You don’t need monstrous amounts of lumens (too much is probably bad for the eyes), but color rendition is important for checking for bleeding, throat swelling, etc. A 2aaa light with a high cri led at 100 lumens or lower sounds about right. I wouldn’t want anyone shining a 1000 lumen light in my eyes.