Question 1
A patient with anterior epistaxis has been treated with 20 minutes of direct pressure to the
cartilaginous portion of the nose. Following pressure the patient is instructed to gently blow
the nose. Expected findings in the patient who has been successfully treated include all of
the following except a:
Response “C” is the correct answer. If bleeding is successfully stopped with 20
Feedback: minutes of directed pressure, there will be residual blood and clot
formation. This is evacuated either by gentle suction or having the patient
gently blow. Residual blood and formed clot may present as a sudden gush
of dark blood or discharge with or without a clot—these are all typical
expected findings. However, if bleeding is not stopped, it will continue as a
bright red steady trickle. When this occurs, more invasive measures are
indicated.
Question 2
Kevin is a 14-year-old male who presents for evaluation of a fever of 102.5° F and
significant right ear pain. He appears quite ill and says he feels nauseous. Otoscopic
evaluation reveals pain to palpation, a very erythematous and bulging tympanic membrane
with bullous myringitis. The AGACNP knows that antibiotic therapy must be selected to
cover:
Response “D” is the correct answer. Streptococcus pneumoniae is the most common
Feedback: bacteria that infects the head and neck in immunocompetent persons, and is
the primary treatment target when treating otitis media, bacterial sinusitis,
, and bacterial pharyngitis. “A” is not correct—while likely on broken skin
and soft tissue, it is not common in the ear, nose, or throat unless specific
risk factors exist. “B” is not correct—this is much more likely in an
immunocompromised patient or a patient on mechanical ventilation. “C” is
not correct—it is the second most common organism, but strep is the
primary treatment target.
Question 3
P.M. is a 71-year-old gay male patient who presents as an outpatient for evaluation of
increasing shortness of breath. The diagnostic evaluation ultimately supports a diagnosis of
community acquired pneumonia. The AGACNP appreciates right middle lobe consolidation
on chest radiography. Pending sputum cultures, empiric antibiotic therapy must be initiated
to cover which organism?
Response “D” is the correct answer. This patient presents from the outpatient
Feedback: population where the most common cause of pneumonia is Streptococcus
pneumoniae, and is the primary treatment target for any patient being
treated empirically. “A” is not correct—while the patient’s sexual
orientation is offered in the provided history, there is no indication that he
has HIV/AIDS or any other condition characterized by immunosuppression
that would increase his risk for this organism. “B” is not correct, as this
organism is not typically seen in the outpatient population without specific
risk, e.g. immunosuppression or chronic ventilator therapy. “C” is not the
correct answer as this organism is not likely absent specific risk such as
instrumentation or known colonization.
Question 4
The AGACNP is caring for a patient who is quite ill and has developed, among other things,
a large right sided pleural effusion. Thoracentesis is sent for pleural fluid analysis. While
evaluating the fluid analysis, the AGACNP knows that a fluid identified as a(n) __________