DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND PRIMARY
CARE 2026 EXAMPREP PRACTICE SET
SOLUTION QUESTIONS WITH FULL
ANSWERS
◉ The clinician is caring for Diane, a 22-year-old woman who
presents with an injured ankle. Diane asks the clinician if she will
need an x-ray. The clinician explains to Diane that an x-ray is not
always necessary for an injured ankle, and that the decision to
obtain radiographs is dependent on the exam and Diane's
description of her injury. Which of the following clues in Diane's
exam or history would alert the clinician to the need for obtaining
radiographs? Answer: If she was not able to bear weight
immediately after the injury. If the ankle developed swelling and
discoloration after the injury. If crepitation occurs with palpation or
movement of the ankle.
◉ Mr. Jackson is a 65-year-old man recently diagnosed with
osteoarthritis. The clinician has explained to Mr. Jackson that the
goals for managing osteoarthritis include controlling pain,
maximizing functional independence and mobility, minimizing
disability, and preserving quality of life. Mr. Jackson explains to the
clinician that his first choice would be to use complementary
therapies to control his condition and asks what therapies are most
effective in treating osteoarthritis. What would be the most
, appropriate response of the clinician? Answer: "I would be happy to
discuss all the treatment options available to you. Complementary
therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, and tai-chi are being
studied for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis and have shown
promise when used with standard medical therapy."
◉ Normal estrogen function is important for preventing
osteoporosis in both men and women. Estrogen works to prevent
osteoporosis in which of the following ways? Answer: By decreasing
the erosive activity of osteoclasts
◉ Which of the following tests is considered the "gold standard" for
definitively diagnosing osteoporosis? Answer: Bone mass density
measurement by densitometry
◉ What is the recommended daily calcium intake for adults over the
age of 50 with low bone mass? Answer: 1,500 mg/day
◉ Mrs. Allen is a 60-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with
osteoporosis. She is very concerned about the risk of breast cancer
associated with hormone replacement therapy and is wondering
what else is available to her. The clinician explains that
biphosphonates are another class of drugs used in the prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis. What teaching should the clinician
give Mrs. Allen in regard to taking biphosphonates? Answer: There is
potential for upper gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, so these
CARE 2026 EXAMPREP PRACTICE SET
SOLUTION QUESTIONS WITH FULL
ANSWERS
◉ The clinician is caring for Diane, a 22-year-old woman who
presents with an injured ankle. Diane asks the clinician if she will
need an x-ray. The clinician explains to Diane that an x-ray is not
always necessary for an injured ankle, and that the decision to
obtain radiographs is dependent on the exam and Diane's
description of her injury. Which of the following clues in Diane's
exam or history would alert the clinician to the need for obtaining
radiographs? Answer: If she was not able to bear weight
immediately after the injury. If the ankle developed swelling and
discoloration after the injury. If crepitation occurs with palpation or
movement of the ankle.
◉ Mr. Jackson is a 65-year-old man recently diagnosed with
osteoarthritis. The clinician has explained to Mr. Jackson that the
goals for managing osteoarthritis include controlling pain,
maximizing functional independence and mobility, minimizing
disability, and preserving quality of life. Mr. Jackson explains to the
clinician that his first choice would be to use complementary
therapies to control his condition and asks what therapies are most
effective in treating osteoarthritis. What would be the most
, appropriate response of the clinician? Answer: "I would be happy to
discuss all the treatment options available to you. Complementary
therapies such as acupuncture, acupressure, and tai-chi are being
studied for use in the treatment of osteoarthritis and have shown
promise when used with standard medical therapy."
◉ Normal estrogen function is important for preventing
osteoporosis in both men and women. Estrogen works to prevent
osteoporosis in which of the following ways? Answer: By decreasing
the erosive activity of osteoclasts
◉ Which of the following tests is considered the "gold standard" for
definitively diagnosing osteoporosis? Answer: Bone mass density
measurement by densitometry
◉ What is the recommended daily calcium intake for adults over the
age of 50 with low bone mass? Answer: 1,500 mg/day
◉ Mrs. Allen is a 60-year-old woman who has been diagnosed with
osteoporosis. She is very concerned about the risk of breast cancer
associated with hormone replacement therapy and is wondering
what else is available to her. The clinician explains that
biphosphonates are another class of drugs used in the prevention
and treatment of osteoporosis. What teaching should the clinician
give Mrs. Allen in regard to taking biphosphonates? Answer: There is
potential for upper gastrointestinal (GI) irritation, so these
