NR 603 CEA EXAM 400+ QUESTIONS & CORRECT
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
You have the pleasure of working at the health clinic at a summer resort as a nurse
practitioner. Benny, a 19 year old male presents with first degree
burns over their anterior torso after being out in the sun too long without any
protection while taking a medication prone to photosensitivity
reactions. To accurately document his burn surface area, you use
the rule of palms. In evaluation of a patient's body surface area (BSA) using the
rule of palms, which portion of the patient's body surface area is covered by the
patient's palm?
A -3%.
B -2%.
C -1%.
D -4%. - ANSWER-C -1%.
You are evaluating a 63 year old male patient with symptoms of chest pressure,
arm numbness and tingling, as well as shortness of breath with excursion. Their
health history includes diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and
rheumatoid arthritis. This
relieves with rest and is not becoming more frequent in the episodes. Based on
these findings, you diagnose and plan for the patient includes which of the
following?
A -Stable angina, and initiate a long-acting oral nitrate
B -Acute myocardial infarction, and transfer to the hospital via EMS
C -Heart failure, and initiate carvedilol and a loop diuretic
,D -Unstable angina, and treat with sublingual nitroglycerin and order a cardiac
stress test - ANSWER-A -Stable angina, and initiate a long-acting oral nitrate
An adult female presents with a chief complaint of fatigue and weight gain. She
states that she doesn't feel like herself. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism is suspected.
Which of the following physical findings would support this diagnosis? -
ANSWER-Dry skin, bradycardia, and hypoactive deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: Dry skin, bradycardia, and hypoactive deep tendon reflexes are all fairly
classic signs of hypothyroidism. To further substantiate these concerns, the patient
should have their TSH and T3 and Free T4 checked, and it is likely their TSH
would be elevated, T3/T4 low.
An older adult patient with new onset GERD, cough, heartburn. Initial tx -
ANSWER-Antacid and lifestyle modification/weight loss
Rationale: Before initiating a PPI or H2RA, it would always be wise to initiate
diet/exercise and symptom management when present with an antacid. Loss of
weight/dieting is most likely to deal with obesity as the most common underlying
cause of GERD.
A 59-year-old male presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, jaundice, and
weight loss which he has not been trying to lose weight. What would be a
malignancy associated with these symptoms? - ANSWER-Pancreatic cancer
Raionale: Pancreatic cancer, the most typically presentation includes abdominal
pain, jaundice, and weight loss. Although weight loss and abdominal pain may be
present with adenocarcinoma it is unlikely to present with jaundice, and you're
unlikely to have abdominal pain or jaundice with any esophageal malignancy.
A 63-year-old male presents with a suspected lower GI bleed. He reports passing
frank small amounts of blood several times today. He denies any use of NSAID's
,or blood thinners. What must be taken into consideration before performing a
colonoscopy on this patient? - ANSWER-All are reasonable options
Rationale: This patient has had blood loss and should first be hemodynamically
stable, and fluid/blood product resuscitated. In all cases of GI bleed risk factors for
an upper GI bleed must be taken into consideration first, we must always discuss
with the patient all risks and benefits associated with the procedure to provide an
informed consent.
A 39-year-old female is being seen by your service for diarrhea. Patient reports 3-4
loose stools a day. She also reports mild cramping. Which labs would be helpful in
further workup of a diagnosis? - ANSWER-ESR, fecal occult, Stool culture
Rationale: ESR, Fecal occult, and stool culture would be the biggest benefit to
determine the potential cause of her symptoms.
An adult female presents with a 1-week history of left lower quadrant abdominal
pain. T=101.2 degrees F. (38.4 degrees C) and an elevated WBC count. This is the
patient's first episode of severe abdominal pain. The nurse practitioner suspects
diverticulitis. Which of the following diagnostic tests would confirm the diagnosis?
- ANSWER-CT scan of the abdomen
Rationale: For patients with acute diverticulitis, CT of the abdomen will provide
evidence of the pathophysiology. Evidence of diverticula will be present on a flat
plate KUB x-ray, but there is not enough specificity to show that it is inflamed as
with a CT scan.
A 70-year-old patient presents to the clinic with dyspnea, palpitations, and fatigue.
The patient reports a 2-week history of blackened stools, which the patient
attributes to drinking berry juice. Assessment reveals vital signs of BP = 110/60, P
= 100, R = 24; Hgb = 4.5 g/dL; Hct = 16%. What is the most appropriate
immediate intervention? - ANSWER-Send to the emergency room.
Rationale: This patient is experiencing a GI bleed and is in need of emergency
treatment due to their considerably low hemoglobin.
, An older adult has a follow-up fasting lipid panel 6 months after making
therapeutic lifestyle changes. LDL=205mg/dL (Normal=<100mg/dL),
HDL=44mg/dL, and triglycerides=180mg/dL (Normal-<150mg/dL). The patient is
placed on statin therapy. Two months later, the patient presents for follow-up and
complains of body aches. In addition to creatine phosphokinase (CPK), which of
the following tests should the nurse practitioner order? - ANSWER-Liver
transaminase (AST and ALT) levels
Rationale: Due to the potential liver function test elevation found with statin use,
LFTs of AST/ALT should be checked routinely after initiation of therapy
A 56-year-old male on your service has been diagnosed with colon cancer which is
localized. What is the primary management that you should expect to prepare your
patient for? - ANSWER-Surgery
Rationale: Surgery is the only curative modality for localized colon cancers.
Patients with progressive/metastatic disease may require chemotherapy/radiation.
A 28-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. She
also reports occasional bloody stools. Colonoscopy reveals continuous
inflammation from the rectum extending proximally. What is the most likely
diagnosis? - ANSWER-Ulcerative colitis
Rationale: The presence of inflammatory bowel disease which is present in the
patient with bloody stool suggests ulcerative colitis. This patient should be acutely
managed with steroids and chronically with auto-immune therapy such as biologics
and/or DMARDs.
A 63-year-old male presents with a suspected lower GI bleed. He reports passing
frank small amounts of blood several times today. He denies use of NSAID's or
blood thinners. What questions would be important to ask to further differentiate
your diagnosis? - ANSWER-All these questions would help determine if this bleed
was associated with a potential diverticular bleed (typically painless), painful
bowel movement associated with IBD (UC/Crohn's), and changes in bowel
habit/colonoscopy risk for malignancy.
ANSWERS LATEST 2026/2027
You have the pleasure of working at the health clinic at a summer resort as a nurse
practitioner. Benny, a 19 year old male presents with first degree
burns over their anterior torso after being out in the sun too long without any
protection while taking a medication prone to photosensitivity
reactions. To accurately document his burn surface area, you use
the rule of palms. In evaluation of a patient's body surface area (BSA) using the
rule of palms, which portion of the patient's body surface area is covered by the
patient's palm?
A -3%.
B -2%.
C -1%.
D -4%. - ANSWER-C -1%.
You are evaluating a 63 year old male patient with symptoms of chest pressure,
arm numbness and tingling, as well as shortness of breath with excursion. Their
health history includes diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, and
rheumatoid arthritis. This
relieves with rest and is not becoming more frequent in the episodes. Based on
these findings, you diagnose and plan for the patient includes which of the
following?
A -Stable angina, and initiate a long-acting oral nitrate
B -Acute myocardial infarction, and transfer to the hospital via EMS
C -Heart failure, and initiate carvedilol and a loop diuretic
,D -Unstable angina, and treat with sublingual nitroglycerin and order a cardiac
stress test - ANSWER-A -Stable angina, and initiate a long-acting oral nitrate
An adult female presents with a chief complaint of fatigue and weight gain. She
states that she doesn't feel like herself. A diagnosis of hypothyroidism is suspected.
Which of the following physical findings would support this diagnosis? -
ANSWER-Dry skin, bradycardia, and hypoactive deep tendon reflexes
Rationale: Dry skin, bradycardia, and hypoactive deep tendon reflexes are all fairly
classic signs of hypothyroidism. To further substantiate these concerns, the patient
should have their TSH and T3 and Free T4 checked, and it is likely their TSH
would be elevated, T3/T4 low.
An older adult patient with new onset GERD, cough, heartburn. Initial tx -
ANSWER-Antacid and lifestyle modification/weight loss
Rationale: Before initiating a PPI or H2RA, it would always be wise to initiate
diet/exercise and symptom management when present with an antacid. Loss of
weight/dieting is most likely to deal with obesity as the most common underlying
cause of GERD.
A 59-year-old male presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, jaundice, and
weight loss which he has not been trying to lose weight. What would be a
malignancy associated with these symptoms? - ANSWER-Pancreatic cancer
Raionale: Pancreatic cancer, the most typically presentation includes abdominal
pain, jaundice, and weight loss. Although weight loss and abdominal pain may be
present with adenocarcinoma it is unlikely to present with jaundice, and you're
unlikely to have abdominal pain or jaundice with any esophageal malignancy.
A 63-year-old male presents with a suspected lower GI bleed. He reports passing
frank small amounts of blood several times today. He denies any use of NSAID's
,or blood thinners. What must be taken into consideration before performing a
colonoscopy on this patient? - ANSWER-All are reasonable options
Rationale: This patient has had blood loss and should first be hemodynamically
stable, and fluid/blood product resuscitated. In all cases of GI bleed risk factors for
an upper GI bleed must be taken into consideration first, we must always discuss
with the patient all risks and benefits associated with the procedure to provide an
informed consent.
A 39-year-old female is being seen by your service for diarrhea. Patient reports 3-4
loose stools a day. She also reports mild cramping. Which labs would be helpful in
further workup of a diagnosis? - ANSWER-ESR, fecal occult, Stool culture
Rationale: ESR, Fecal occult, and stool culture would be the biggest benefit to
determine the potential cause of her symptoms.
An adult female presents with a 1-week history of left lower quadrant abdominal
pain. T=101.2 degrees F. (38.4 degrees C) and an elevated WBC count. This is the
patient's first episode of severe abdominal pain. The nurse practitioner suspects
diverticulitis. Which of the following diagnostic tests would confirm the diagnosis?
- ANSWER-CT scan of the abdomen
Rationale: For patients with acute diverticulitis, CT of the abdomen will provide
evidence of the pathophysiology. Evidence of diverticula will be present on a flat
plate KUB x-ray, but there is not enough specificity to show that it is inflamed as
with a CT scan.
A 70-year-old patient presents to the clinic with dyspnea, palpitations, and fatigue.
The patient reports a 2-week history of blackened stools, which the patient
attributes to drinking berry juice. Assessment reveals vital signs of BP = 110/60, P
= 100, R = 24; Hgb = 4.5 g/dL; Hct = 16%. What is the most appropriate
immediate intervention? - ANSWER-Send to the emergency room.
Rationale: This patient is experiencing a GI bleed and is in need of emergency
treatment due to their considerably low hemoglobin.
, An older adult has a follow-up fasting lipid panel 6 months after making
therapeutic lifestyle changes. LDL=205mg/dL (Normal=<100mg/dL),
HDL=44mg/dL, and triglycerides=180mg/dL (Normal-<150mg/dL). The patient is
placed on statin therapy. Two months later, the patient presents for follow-up and
complains of body aches. In addition to creatine phosphokinase (CPK), which of
the following tests should the nurse practitioner order? - ANSWER-Liver
transaminase (AST and ALT) levels
Rationale: Due to the potential liver function test elevation found with statin use,
LFTs of AST/ALT should be checked routinely after initiation of therapy
A 56-year-old male on your service has been diagnosed with colon cancer which is
localized. What is the primary management that you should expect to prepare your
patient for? - ANSWER-Surgery
Rationale: Surgery is the only curative modality for localized colon cancers.
Patients with progressive/metastatic disease may require chemotherapy/radiation.
A 28-year-old woman presents with abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss. She
also reports occasional bloody stools. Colonoscopy reveals continuous
inflammation from the rectum extending proximally. What is the most likely
diagnosis? - ANSWER-Ulcerative colitis
Rationale: The presence of inflammatory bowel disease which is present in the
patient with bloody stool suggests ulcerative colitis. This patient should be acutely
managed with steroids and chronically with auto-immune therapy such as biologics
and/or DMARDs.
A 63-year-old male presents with a suspected lower GI bleed. He reports passing
frank small amounts of blood several times today. He denies use of NSAID's or
blood thinners. What questions would be important to ask to further differentiate
your diagnosis? - ANSWER-All these questions would help determine if this bleed
was associated with a potential diverticular bleed (typically painless), painful
bowel movement associated with IBD (UC/Crohn's), and changes in bowel
habit/colonoscopy risk for malignancy.
