MSN-FNP 570 Midterm Questions and
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated hypertension in a 45-year-old patient with no
comorbidities?
✔✔Lifestyle modifications, such as diet changes, increased physical activity, and weight loss,
along with initiating an ACE inhibitor or thiazide diuretic if necessary.
Describe the clinical presentation of a patient with acute pancreatitis.
✔✔Symptoms often include severe abdominal pain (usually in the upper abdomen), nausea,
vomiting, fever, and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels.
What are the common signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
✔✔Increased heart rate, weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, tremors, and increased sweating.
How do you differentiate between a bacterial and viral upper respiratory infection?
✔✔Bacterial infections typically cause high fever, purulent nasal discharge, and prolonged
symptoms, while viral infections generally present with milder symptoms such as a low-grade
fever, clear nasal discharge, and resolution within 7-10 days.
1
,What is the recommended management for a patient presenting with a first episode of acute
gout?
✔✔Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids, depending
on the severity.
How do you assess and manage a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
✔✔Start by evaluating blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and comorbid conditions. Initiate lifestyle
modifications including diet and exercise, and consider metformin or other oral agents. Close
monitoring is necessary to adjust treatment as needed.
What is the primary difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
✔✔Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and often presents with
transmural inflammation, while ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon and typically affects the
mucosal layer.
What are the clinical features of acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
✔✔Chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, and elevated cardiac
biomarkers such as troponin.
2
,What is the pharmacological treatment of a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
✔✔Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, along with cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) as a first-line treatment.
How would you manage a patient with a suspected UTI who is pregnant?
✔✔Obtain a urine culture, initiate antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy, such as
nitrofurantoin or amoxicillin, and monitor for potential complications like pyelonephritis.
What are the key considerations when prescribing antibiotics to a patient with a penicillin
allergy?
✔✔Assess the severity of the allergy (mild rash vs. anaphylaxis) and select an appropriate
alternative such as a cephalosporin (if mild allergy) or macrolide (if severe allergy).
How do you diagnose and manage depression in an adult patient?
✔✔A thorough history and physical exam, including screening tools like the PHQ-9, followed
by initiating SSRIs, SNRIs, or psychotherapy depending on severity.
What are the common causes of secondary hypertension?
3
, ✔✔Renal disease, endocrine disorders (like hyperaldosteronism or pheochromocytoma), and
certain medications (such as oral contraceptives or NSAIDs).
What is the recommended treatment for a patient with a recent diagnosis of asthma exacerbation?
✔✔Short-acting beta agonists (SABA) for immediate relief and corticosteroids for reducing
inflammation; long-term control includes inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and/or leukotriene
modifiers.
How do you evaluate and treat a patient with chronic low back pain?
✔✔Assess the duration and cause of pain, perform a physical exam, and consider imaging if red
flags are present. Non-pharmacological treatments like physical therapy and NSAIDs are first-
line, with opioids used cautiously.
What are the signs and symptoms of acute renal failure?
✔✔Oliguria or anuria, elevated serum creatinine and BUN, fluid retention, and possible
electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia.
How would you approach a patient with suspected COPD exacerbation?
4
Answers Latest Version Already Passed
What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated hypertension in a 45-year-old patient with no
comorbidities?
✔✔Lifestyle modifications, such as diet changes, increased physical activity, and weight loss,
along with initiating an ACE inhibitor or thiazide diuretic if necessary.
Describe the clinical presentation of a patient with acute pancreatitis.
✔✔Symptoms often include severe abdominal pain (usually in the upper abdomen), nausea,
vomiting, fever, and elevated serum amylase and lipase levels.
What are the common signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism?
✔✔Increased heart rate, weight loss, heat intolerance, anxiety, tremors, and increased sweating.
How do you differentiate between a bacterial and viral upper respiratory infection?
✔✔Bacterial infections typically cause high fever, purulent nasal discharge, and prolonged
symptoms, while viral infections generally present with milder symptoms such as a low-grade
fever, clear nasal discharge, and resolution within 7-10 days.
1
,What is the recommended management for a patient presenting with a first episode of acute
gout?
✔✔Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), colchicine, and corticosteroids, depending
on the severity.
How do you assess and manage a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus?
✔✔Start by evaluating blood glucose levels, HbA1c, and comorbid conditions. Initiate lifestyle
modifications including diet and exercise, and consider metformin or other oral agents. Close
monitoring is necessary to adjust treatment as needed.
What is the primary difference between Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis?
✔✔Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract and often presents with
transmural inflammation, while ulcerative colitis is confined to the colon and typically affects the
mucosal layer.
What are the clinical features of acute myocardial infarction (MI)?
✔✔Chest pain, shortness of breath, diaphoresis, nausea, vomiting, and elevated cardiac
biomarkers such as troponin.
2
,What is the pharmacological treatment of a patient with generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)?
✔✔Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) like sertraline, along with cognitive
behavioral therapy (CBT) as a first-line treatment.
How would you manage a patient with a suspected UTI who is pregnant?
✔✔Obtain a urine culture, initiate antibiotics that are safe during pregnancy, such as
nitrofurantoin or amoxicillin, and monitor for potential complications like pyelonephritis.
What are the key considerations when prescribing antibiotics to a patient with a penicillin
allergy?
✔✔Assess the severity of the allergy (mild rash vs. anaphylaxis) and select an appropriate
alternative such as a cephalosporin (if mild allergy) or macrolide (if severe allergy).
How do you diagnose and manage depression in an adult patient?
✔✔A thorough history and physical exam, including screening tools like the PHQ-9, followed
by initiating SSRIs, SNRIs, or psychotherapy depending on severity.
What are the common causes of secondary hypertension?
3
, ✔✔Renal disease, endocrine disorders (like hyperaldosteronism or pheochromocytoma), and
certain medications (such as oral contraceptives or NSAIDs).
What is the recommended treatment for a patient with a recent diagnosis of asthma exacerbation?
✔✔Short-acting beta agonists (SABA) for immediate relief and corticosteroids for reducing
inflammation; long-term control includes inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) and/or leukotriene
modifiers.
How do you evaluate and treat a patient with chronic low back pain?
✔✔Assess the duration and cause of pain, perform a physical exam, and consider imaging if red
flags are present. Non-pharmacological treatments like physical therapy and NSAIDs are first-
line, with opioids used cautiously.
What are the signs and symptoms of acute renal failure?
✔✔Oliguria or anuria, elevated serum creatinine and BUN, fluid retention, and possible
electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia.
How would you approach a patient with suspected COPD exacerbation?
4
