NSG 550 Exam 1: (Latest 2026/2027 Update) Diagnostic Testing Principles,
Imaging Modalities, Laboratory Studies, Thyroid & Renal Function,
Diabetes, Rheumatology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
– Nursing Program
Subject: Advanced Diagnostic Testing – Sensitivity/Specificity, Imaging (Ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray, Nuclear Medicine),
Laboratory Studies (Urinalysis, Blood Studies, Renal Function, Thyroid Function, Diabetes Diagnostics, Inflammatory
Markers), Procedural Guidelines (Cystoscopy, Endoscopy, Biopsy)
Source: NSG 550 Exam 1 Bank – Latest 2026/2027 Curriculum
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Total Questions: 175+ (All processed – no omissions, no truncation)
1. What does specificity measure in diagnostic testing?
Correct Answer: Looking for patients without disease. Low false positives.
1. Specificity = TN/(TN+FP). High specificity rules IN disease (SpIN).
2. A highly specific test has few false positives.
2. What does sensitivity measure in diagnostic testing?
Correct Answer: Looking for patients with disease. Low false negatives.
1. Sensitivity = TP/(TP+FN). High sensitivity rules OUT disease (SnOUT).
2. A highly sensitive test has few false negatives.
3. What is the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria?
Correct Answer: Guidelines for ordering tests. Compares contrast vs. non-contrast and radiation
exposure.
1. Evidence-based guidelines to optimize imaging selection.
2. Helps reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.
4. What are NP's obligations for patient safety in testing?
Correct Answer: Read Findings and Impression. Note inconsistencies and incidentals for follow-up.
Deliver results to patients.
1. NPs are legally responsible for following up on abnormal findings.
2. Incidental findings must be documented and managed.
5. What is ultrasound used for?
Correct Answer: Vessels, ovaries, testicles, soft tissue, abscess/cyst, thyroid, guide needle biopsy,
stage tumor.
1. Ultrasound uses sound waves, no radiation.
2. Benefits: less costly than CT/MRI, no radiation.
6. What imaging is used for vessels?
Correct Answer: Ultrasound & MRI.
1. Doppler ultrasound evaluates blood flow direction and velocity.
2. MRA (MR angiography) visualizes vessels without contrast.
, 7. What imaging is used for ovaries?
Correct Answer: Ultrasound.
1. Transvaginal ultrasound is preferred for ovarian evaluation.
2. No radiation, safe for reproductive-age women.
8. What is a Doppler ultrasound?
Correct Answer: Amplifies sound waves.
1. Color flow Doppler detects direction of blood flow.
2. Duplex scanning = real-time imaging + color flow Doppler.
9. What does MRI provide an in-depth look at?
Correct Answer: Bone, tissues, vessels.
1. MRI benefits: no radiation, better contrast than CT, no obscuring bone.
2. Expensive and labor intensive.
10. What are MRI contraindications?
Correct Answer: Extreme obesity, claustrophobia, agitation, metal in body.
1. Remove patches and metal before MRI.
2. Check renal function before gadolinium contrast, especially age ≥60.
11. What is a thyroid scan called?
Correct Answer: Scintigraphy (nuclear medicine).
1. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) measures thyroid function.
2. High RAIU = hyperthyroid; low RAIU = hypothyroid.
12. What is the gold standard for first-time kidney stone testing?
Correct Answer: CT Scan.
1. Non-contrast CT is rapid and highly sensitive for stones.
2. KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder x-ray) is second-line.
13. What is the best indicator for UTI on urinalysis?
Correct Answer: Bacteria of 5+, leukocyte esterase present, WBC in urine.
1. Positive nitrates also indicate UTI (gram-negative bacteria convert nitrates to nitrites).
2. Clean catch midstream specimen required for culture.
14. What is the best way to assess creatinine?
Correct Answer: Follow it over time. Also test GFR and CrCl.
1. Creatinine is removed entirely by kidneys.
2. Level >4 mg/dL indicates serious renal impairment.
15. What does microalbumin indicate?
Correct Answer: Done by UA. Caused by diabetic neuropathy. First indicator of renal disease –
screen annually.
1. Microalbuminuria is earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy.
2. Normal: <30 mg/g creatinine; microalbumin: 30-300.
16. What is the advantage of a 1st morning urine test?
Correct Answer: Best for protein and nitrates. Void before bed, then void in AM.
1. Most concentrated specimen of the day.
2. Ideal for orthostatic proteinuria evaluation.
Imaging Modalities, Laboratory Studies, Thyroid & Renal Function,
Diabetes, Rheumatology | Q&A | Grade A | 100% Correct (Verified Answers)
– Nursing Program
Subject: Advanced Diagnostic Testing – Sensitivity/Specificity, Imaging (Ultrasound, MRI, CT, X-ray, Nuclear Medicine),
Laboratory Studies (Urinalysis, Blood Studies, Renal Function, Thyroid Function, Diabetes Diagnostics, Inflammatory
Markers), Procedural Guidelines (Cystoscopy, Endoscopy, Biopsy)
Source: NSG 550 Exam 1 Bank – Latest 2026/2027 Curriculum
Format: Q&A Guide with Clinical Rationale
Total Questions: 175+ (All processed – no omissions, no truncation)
1. What does specificity measure in diagnostic testing?
Correct Answer: Looking for patients without disease. Low false positives.
1. Specificity = TN/(TN+FP). High specificity rules IN disease (SpIN).
2. A highly specific test has few false positives.
2. What does sensitivity measure in diagnostic testing?
Correct Answer: Looking for patients with disease. Low false negatives.
1. Sensitivity = TP/(TP+FN). High sensitivity rules OUT disease (SnOUT).
2. A highly sensitive test has few false negatives.
3. What is the American College of Radiology Appropriateness Criteria?
Correct Answer: Guidelines for ordering tests. Compares contrast vs. non-contrast and radiation
exposure.
1. Evidence-based guidelines to optimize imaging selection.
2. Helps reduce unnecessary radiation exposure.
4. What are NP's obligations for patient safety in testing?
Correct Answer: Read Findings and Impression. Note inconsistencies and incidentals for follow-up.
Deliver results to patients.
1. NPs are legally responsible for following up on abnormal findings.
2. Incidental findings must be documented and managed.
5. What is ultrasound used for?
Correct Answer: Vessels, ovaries, testicles, soft tissue, abscess/cyst, thyroid, guide needle biopsy,
stage tumor.
1. Ultrasound uses sound waves, no radiation.
2. Benefits: less costly than CT/MRI, no radiation.
6. What imaging is used for vessels?
Correct Answer: Ultrasound & MRI.
1. Doppler ultrasound evaluates blood flow direction and velocity.
2. MRA (MR angiography) visualizes vessels without contrast.
, 7. What imaging is used for ovaries?
Correct Answer: Ultrasound.
1. Transvaginal ultrasound is preferred for ovarian evaluation.
2. No radiation, safe for reproductive-age women.
8. What is a Doppler ultrasound?
Correct Answer: Amplifies sound waves.
1. Color flow Doppler detects direction of blood flow.
2. Duplex scanning = real-time imaging + color flow Doppler.
9. What does MRI provide an in-depth look at?
Correct Answer: Bone, tissues, vessels.
1. MRI benefits: no radiation, better contrast than CT, no obscuring bone.
2. Expensive and labor intensive.
10. What are MRI contraindications?
Correct Answer: Extreme obesity, claustrophobia, agitation, metal in body.
1. Remove patches and metal before MRI.
2. Check renal function before gadolinium contrast, especially age ≥60.
11. What is a thyroid scan called?
Correct Answer: Scintigraphy (nuclear medicine).
1. Radioactive iodine uptake (RAIU) measures thyroid function.
2. High RAIU = hyperthyroid; low RAIU = hypothyroid.
12. What is the gold standard for first-time kidney stone testing?
Correct Answer: CT Scan.
1. Non-contrast CT is rapid and highly sensitive for stones.
2. KUB (kidney, ureter, bladder x-ray) is second-line.
13. What is the best indicator for UTI on urinalysis?
Correct Answer: Bacteria of 5+, leukocyte esterase present, WBC in urine.
1. Positive nitrates also indicate UTI (gram-negative bacteria convert nitrates to nitrites).
2. Clean catch midstream specimen required for culture.
14. What is the best way to assess creatinine?
Correct Answer: Follow it over time. Also test GFR and CrCl.
1. Creatinine is removed entirely by kidneys.
2. Level >4 mg/dL indicates serious renal impairment.
15. What does microalbumin indicate?
Correct Answer: Done by UA. Caused by diabetic neuropathy. First indicator of renal disease –
screen annually.
1. Microalbuminuria is earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy.
2. Normal: <30 mg/g creatinine; microalbumin: 30-300.
16. What is the advantage of a 1st morning urine test?
Correct Answer: Best for protein and nitrates. Void before bed, then void in AM.
1. Most concentrated specimen of the day.
2. Ideal for orthostatic proteinuria evaluation.
