NR 511 MIDTERM REVIEW
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS EXAM
QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE NOTES
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY LATEST
2025
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NR 511 Week 1 practice exam questions & correct answers
1. Which of the following initiatives does not fall under the National Prevention Strategy?
• Diabetes Management. Reference Page 29
• Tobacco Free Living
• Healthy Eating
• Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
2. All of the following statements about the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are true except?
• All of the recommendations made by the USPSTF are strong recommendations. (The recommendations made
by this organization are based on a grading scale. Some of the guidelines state that they don’t have enough
scientific data to support an informed recommendation.) Reference Page 31-32
• This is a private sector group without government ties.
• This group makes recommendations about preventive medicine.
• All of the USPSTF recommendations are considered mandatory in primary care.
3. What type of reaction following an immunization is considered serious and requires reevaluation?
• Temperature greater than 103˚F. (High fever is a reason to reevaluate a patient following a vaccine. Reference
Page 33
• Fatigue
• Temperature of 100.2˚F.
• Erythema and soreness at the injection site.
4. Herbert, a 69-year-old man, comes to your office complaining of nocturia. On questioning Herbert, you find that for
the past 3 months he has been getting up at least 5 times a night to void. He came in to seek help today because of his
wife’s insistence that he be checked out. When you perform the digital rectal exam, you find that his prostate protrudes
3 to 4 cm into the rectum. What grade would you assign to Herbert’s prostate enlargement?
• Grade 1 (Grade 1 enlargement is a protrusion of 1 to 2 cm.)
• Grade 2 (Grade 2 enlargement is a protrusion of 2 to 3 cm)
• Grade 3 (The degree of prostate enlargement is based on the amount of projection of the prostate into the
rectum. The normal prostate protrudes less than 1 cm into the rectum. A grade 3 enlargement is 3 to 4 cm. into
the rectum) Reference Page 748
• Grade 4 (Grade 4 enlargement is a protrusion of greater than 4 cm)
5. Which of the following individuals should get the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine?
• Jerry, who has a mild upper respiratory tract infection and is allergic to neomycin (Allergy to neomycin is a
contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
• Tim, who has been on prolonged use of high-dose steroids for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). (Prolonged use of high-dose steroids is a contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
• Joan, whose husband recently had shingles and who is trying to get pregnant (Women should not get pregnant
until 4 weeks after receiving the vaccination)
• Joe, who has a stressful job (Joe, who has a stressful job, is a candidate for the shingles (herpes zoster)
vaccine) Reference page 134
6. As a primary care provider, which of the following topics is not typically important for adults aged 20 to 40?
• Focusing on increasing lifespan. (This is typically important to patients greater than 65 years old)
• Career development.
• Self-image.
• Family relationships.
7. Which of the following statements defines health literacy?
• The level to which a patient can understand, gain access to, and make proper medical decisions.
• The ability of a patient to read health pamphlets.
• The extent to which a patient can travel to see a medical provider.
,• The ability of a patient to write in the language of the health practitioner.
, 8. Between ages 7 and 18, both boys and girls are immunized against the following diseases:
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, and human papillomavirus.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and rotavirus. (The rotavirus vaccine is given prior to age 7)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A. (The hepatitis A vaccine is
given prior to age 7)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis C. (There is no known vaccine
for Hep C yet)
9. The OLD CARTS (onset, location, duration, character, aggravating/alleviating factors, radiation, timing, severity)
mnemonic is best used in which part of your chart note?
• History of present illness (The OLD CARTS mnemonic is best used to describe the patient’s symptoms in the
history of present illness)
• Plan.
• Diagnosis.
• Physical exam.
10. Eileen, a 42-year-old woman, comes to your office with a chief complaint of fatigue, weight loss, and blurred
vision. Eileen has a past medical history that is negative for any chronic medical problems. You obtain a fasting
chemistry panel, lipid profile, complete blood count (CBC), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA 1c). The results of the blood
work show Eileen’s blood sugar elevated at 356 mg/dL, total cholesterol elevated at 255, high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol low at 28, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol elevated at 167, triglycerides 333, and
HbA1c 12. On questioning Eileen further, you discover that both her grandmothers had adult-onset diabetes mellitus.
You diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus. Your treatment plan should include a cholesterol-lowering agent, an agent that
lowers blood sugar, and which other class of medication?
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (
Studies have shown the use of ACE inhibitors in clients with diabetes, with or without hypertension, has
slowed the progression of nephropathy. You must monitor the client’s creatinine and potassium levels
routinely. If the client’s renal function does decrease, elevated potassium levels may occur. Some clinicians
disagree on this approach and recommend waiting until microalbuminuria is present before initiating an ACE
inhibitor. Other clinicians feel that her A1C indicates that she has been a diabetic for probably 10 years and
would benefit from this approach)
• Diuretic.
• Weight loss medication (Diet and weight loss are fundamental components of diabetes management)
• Beta blocker.
11. Margaret, age 29, is of medium build and 5 ft 4 in tall. You estimate that she should weigh about:
• 105 lb.
• 110 lb.
• 120 lb (To estimate a client’s ideal weight, use the following formula: For women older than age 25, allow
100 lb for the first 5 ft, then add 5 lb for each inch thereafter. For men, allow 106 lb for the first 5 ft, then add
6 lb for each inch thereafter. Multiply the number by 110% for a client with a large frame and 90% for a client
with a small frame)
• 130 lb.
12. Susie, age 5, comes to the clinic for a well-child visit. She has not been in since she was 2. Her immunizations are
up to date. What immunizations would you give her today?
• None; wait until she is 6 years old to give her her booster shots (Susie is due for diphtheria, tetanus, and
pertussis (DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) between the ages
of 4 and 6. There is no need to wait until she is 6 years old)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib); and measles, mumps, and
rubella (MMR) (
Susie is due for inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), in addition to DTaP and MMR. She is not due for Hib)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) (Susie is due for measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR), in addition to DTaP and IPV)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (Because Susie
has not been in for several years, one cannot assume she will come in next year to get
DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS EXAM
QUESTIONS & STUDY GUIDE NOTES
CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY LATEST
2025
, o
NR 511 Week 1 practice exam questions & correct answers
1. Which of the following initiatives does not fall under the National Prevention Strategy?
• Diabetes Management. Reference Page 29
• Tobacco Free Living
• Healthy Eating
• Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
2. All of the following statements about the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are true except?
• All of the recommendations made by the USPSTF are strong recommendations. (The recommendations made
by this organization are based on a grading scale. Some of the guidelines state that they don’t have enough
scientific data to support an informed recommendation.) Reference Page 31-32
• This is a private sector group without government ties.
• This group makes recommendations about preventive medicine.
• All of the USPSTF recommendations are considered mandatory in primary care.
3. What type of reaction following an immunization is considered serious and requires reevaluation?
• Temperature greater than 103˚F. (High fever is a reason to reevaluate a patient following a vaccine. Reference
Page 33
• Fatigue
• Temperature of 100.2˚F.
• Erythema and soreness at the injection site.
4. Herbert, a 69-year-old man, comes to your office complaining of nocturia. On questioning Herbert, you find that for
the past 3 months he has been getting up at least 5 times a night to void. He came in to seek help today because of his
wife’s insistence that he be checked out. When you perform the digital rectal exam, you find that his prostate protrudes
3 to 4 cm into the rectum. What grade would you assign to Herbert’s prostate enlargement?
• Grade 1 (Grade 1 enlargement is a protrusion of 1 to 2 cm.)
• Grade 2 (Grade 2 enlargement is a protrusion of 2 to 3 cm)
• Grade 3 (The degree of prostate enlargement is based on the amount of projection of the prostate into the
rectum. The normal prostate protrudes less than 1 cm into the rectum. A grade 3 enlargement is 3 to 4 cm. into
the rectum) Reference Page 748
• Grade 4 (Grade 4 enlargement is a protrusion of greater than 4 cm)
5. Which of the following individuals should get the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine?
• Jerry, who has a mild upper respiratory tract infection and is allergic to neomycin (Allergy to neomycin is a
contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
• Tim, who has been on prolonged use of high-dose steroids for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
(COPD). (Prolonged use of high-dose steroids is a contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
• Joan, whose husband recently had shingles and who is trying to get pregnant (Women should not get pregnant
until 4 weeks after receiving the vaccination)
• Joe, who has a stressful job (Joe, who has a stressful job, is a candidate for the shingles (herpes zoster)
vaccine) Reference page 134
6. As a primary care provider, which of the following topics is not typically important for adults aged 20 to 40?
• Focusing on increasing lifespan. (This is typically important to patients greater than 65 years old)
• Career development.
• Self-image.
• Family relationships.
7. Which of the following statements defines health literacy?
• The level to which a patient can understand, gain access to, and make proper medical decisions.
• The ability of a patient to read health pamphlets.
• The extent to which a patient can travel to see a medical provider.
,• The ability of a patient to write in the language of the health practitioner.
, 8. Between ages 7 and 18, both boys and girls are immunized against the following diseases:
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, and human papillomavirus.
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and rotavirus. (The rotavirus vaccine is given prior to age 7)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A. (The hepatitis A vaccine is
given prior to age 7)
• Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis C. (There is no known vaccine
for Hep C yet)
9. The OLD CARTS (onset, location, duration, character, aggravating/alleviating factors, radiation, timing, severity)
mnemonic is best used in which part of your chart note?
• History of present illness (The OLD CARTS mnemonic is best used to describe the patient’s symptoms in the
history of present illness)
• Plan.
• Diagnosis.
• Physical exam.
10. Eileen, a 42-year-old woman, comes to your office with a chief complaint of fatigue, weight loss, and blurred
vision. Eileen has a past medical history that is negative for any chronic medical problems. You obtain a fasting
chemistry panel, lipid profile, complete blood count (CBC), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA 1c). The results of the blood
work show Eileen’s blood sugar elevated at 356 mg/dL, total cholesterol elevated at 255, high-density lipoprotein
(HDL) cholesterol low at 28, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol elevated at 167, triglycerides 333, and
HbA1c 12. On questioning Eileen further, you discover that both her grandmothers had adult-onset diabetes mellitus.
You diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus. Your treatment plan should include a cholesterol-lowering agent, an agent that
lowers blood sugar, and which other class of medication?
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (
Studies have shown the use of ACE inhibitors in clients with diabetes, with or without hypertension, has
slowed the progression of nephropathy. You must monitor the client’s creatinine and potassium levels
routinely. If the client’s renal function does decrease, elevated potassium levels may occur. Some clinicians
disagree on this approach and recommend waiting until microalbuminuria is present before initiating an ACE
inhibitor. Other clinicians feel that her A1C indicates that she has been a diabetic for probably 10 years and
would benefit from this approach)
• Diuretic.
• Weight loss medication (Diet and weight loss are fundamental components of diabetes management)
• Beta blocker.
11. Margaret, age 29, is of medium build and 5 ft 4 in tall. You estimate that she should weigh about:
• 105 lb.
• 110 lb.
• 120 lb (To estimate a client’s ideal weight, use the following formula: For women older than age 25, allow
100 lb for the first 5 ft, then add 5 lb for each inch thereafter. For men, allow 106 lb for the first 5 ft, then add
6 lb for each inch thereafter. Multiply the number by 110% for a client with a large frame and 90% for a client
with a small frame)
• 130 lb.
12. Susie, age 5, comes to the clinic for a well-child visit. She has not been in since she was 2. Her immunizations are
up to date. What immunizations would you give her today?
• None; wait until she is 6 years old to give her her booster shots (Susie is due for diphtheria, tetanus, and
pertussis (DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) between the ages
of 4 and 6. There is no need to wait until she is 6 years old)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib); and measles, mumps, and
rubella (MMR) (
Susie is due for inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), in addition to DTaP and MMR. She is not due for Hib)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) (Susie is due for measles,
mumps, and rubella (MMR), in addition to DTaP and IPV)
• Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) (Because Susie
has not been in for several years, one cannot assume she will come in next year to get
