COMSAE Retake Readiness Assessment
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
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1.
A 67-year-old man presents with exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and
bilateral lower extremity edema. On exam, there are crackles at the
lung bases and an S3 heart sound. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: B
This patient has classic signs of systolic heart failure (HFrEF), including
S3 gallop, pulmonary congestion (crackles), orthopnea, and peripheral
edema due to fluid overload and decreased cardiac output.
,2.
Which medication class has been shown to reduce mortality in patients
with HFrEF?
A. Loop diuretics
B. Nitrates
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: C
ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and inhibit maladaptive remodeling of
the heart, leading to improved survival in HFrEF patients.
3.
A patient presents with wheezing, cough, and dyspnea that improves
with bronchodilator use. Which condition is most likely?
A. COPD
B. Asthma
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Pneumonia
Answer: B
,Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and
bronchial hyperresponsiveness, often improving with bronchodilators.
4.
Which acid-base disorder is most consistent with vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), resulting in a net increase
in serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
5.
A 55-year-old man with a history of smoking presents with chronic
productive cough for 3 months over 2 consecutive years. Diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis
, C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis
Answer: B
Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically by productive cough for at least
3 months in 2 consecutive years and is strongly associated with
smoking.
6.
Which organism is most commonly responsible for community-acquired
pneumonia in adults?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Mycoplasma hominis
Answer: B
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-
acquired pneumonia in adults.
7.
Questions With Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationales 2026 Q&A | Instant
Download Pdf
1.
A 67-year-old man presents with exertional dyspnea, orthopnea, and
bilateral lower extremity edema. On exam, there are crackles at the
lung bases and an S3 heart sound. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Chronic bronchitis
B. Heart failure with reduced ejection fraction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Pneumothorax
Answer: B
This patient has classic signs of systolic heart failure (HFrEF), including
S3 gallop, pulmonary congestion (crackles), orthopnea, and peripheral
edema due to fluid overload and decreased cardiac output.
,2.
Which medication class has been shown to reduce mortality in patients
with HFrEF?
A. Loop diuretics
B. Nitrates
C. ACE inhibitors
D. Calcium channel blockers
Answer: C
ACE inhibitors reduce afterload and inhibit maladaptive remodeling of
the heart, leading to improved survival in HFrEF patients.
3.
A patient presents with wheezing, cough, and dyspnea that improves
with bronchodilator use. Which condition is most likely?
A. COPD
B. Asthma
C. Pulmonary fibrosis
D. Pneumonia
Answer: B
,Asthma is characterized by reversible airway obstruction and
bronchial hyperresponsiveness, often improving with bronchodilators.
4.
Which acid-base disorder is most consistent with vomiting?
A. Metabolic acidosis
B. Metabolic alkalosis
C. Respiratory acidosis
D. Respiratory alkalosis
Answer: B
Vomiting leads to loss of gastric acid (HCl), resulting in a net increase
in serum bicarbonate and metabolic alkalosis.
5.
A 55-year-old man with a history of smoking presents with chronic
productive cough for 3 months over 2 consecutive years. Diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis
, C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis
Answer: B
Chronic bronchitis is defined clinically by productive cough for at least
3 months in 2 consecutive years and is strongly associated with
smoking.
6.
Which organism is most commonly responsible for community-acquired
pneumonia in adults?
A. Klebsiella pneumoniae
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Mycoplasma hominis
Answer: B
Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common cause of community-
acquired pneumonia in adults.
7.
