NR 511 Midterm & Final Exam Study Guide (Weeks 1-8) 2026
Chamberlain
1. Which coding system is used specifically to report diagnoses and reasons for a
patient visit in the outpatient setting?
A. ICD-10 codes
B. CPT codes
C. HCPCS codes
D. E/M codes
Answer: A
Rationale: ICD-10-CM codes are used to identify diagnoses and the reason for the visit,
whereas CPT codes describe the services and procedures performed.
2. An established patient is seen for a common cold and a level 3 visit (99213) is
billed. Which of the following is a requirement for this level?
A. Low complexity medical decision making
B. Comprehensive history
C. High complexity medical decision making
D. Comprehensive physical exam
Answer: A
Rationale: For an established patient, a 99213 typically requires low complexity medical
decision making or expanded problem-focused history and exam.
,3. Which of the following physical exam findings is most suggestive of Bacterial
Conjunctivitis?
A. Stringy, mucoid discharge
B. Watery, clear discharge
C. Preauricular lymphadenopathy
D. Purulent discharge with crusting of the lids
Answer: D
Rationale: Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by purulent discharge and matting of
the eyelids, whereas viral is usually watery and allergic is stringy.
4. A 5-year-old presents with ear pain. On exam, the tympanic membrane is
bulging, opaque, and has decreased mobility. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Otitis Media
B. Otitis Media with Effusion
C. Otitis Externa
D. Tympanic Membrane Perforation
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is defined by signs of inflammation and middle ear
effusion, such as a bulging TM and decreased mobility.
5. What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for a healthy adult with Acute
Bacterial Sinusitis?
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Cephalexin
Answer: B
Rationale: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin) is the first-line choice for bacterial
sinusitis according to IDSA guidelines to cover H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae.
, 6. According to the Centor Criteria, which of the following patients is most likely
to have Group A Strep pharyngitis?
A. Absence of cough, presence of exudates, fever, and tender anterior cervical nodes
B. Presence of cough, exudates, and fever
C. Sore throat, runny nose, and conjunctivitis
D. Presence of cough, no fever, and posterior cervical nodes
Answer: A
Rationale: The Centor Criteria includes: Fever, Exudates, Tender Anterior Cervical
Adenopathy, and Absence of Cough.
7. Which hearing test involves placing a tuning fork on the midline of the head
to assess for lateralization?
A. Rinne Test
B. Snellen Test
C. Weber Test
D. Cover-Uncover Test
Answer: C
Rationale: The Weber test checks for lateralization; sound lateralizes to the affected ear in
conductive loss and the unaffected ear in sensorineural loss.
8. A patient presents with a painful, red, localized swelling of the eyelid margin.
This is most likely a:
A. Chalazion
B. Dacryocystitis
C. Blepharitis
D. Hordeolum
Answer: D
Rationale: A hordeolum (stye) is an acute, painful infection of the eyelid gland, whereas a
chalazion is a chronic, non-tender granulomatous lesion.
Chamberlain
1. Which coding system is used specifically to report diagnoses and reasons for a
patient visit in the outpatient setting?
A. ICD-10 codes
B. CPT codes
C. HCPCS codes
D. E/M codes
Answer: A
Rationale: ICD-10-CM codes are used to identify diagnoses and the reason for the visit,
whereas CPT codes describe the services and procedures performed.
2. An established patient is seen for a common cold and a level 3 visit (99213) is
billed. Which of the following is a requirement for this level?
A. Low complexity medical decision making
B. Comprehensive history
C. High complexity medical decision making
D. Comprehensive physical exam
Answer: A
Rationale: For an established patient, a 99213 typically requires low complexity medical
decision making or expanded problem-focused history and exam.
,3. Which of the following physical exam findings is most suggestive of Bacterial
Conjunctivitis?
A. Stringy, mucoid discharge
B. Watery, clear discharge
C. Preauricular lymphadenopathy
D. Purulent discharge with crusting of the lids
Answer: D
Rationale: Bacterial conjunctivitis is characterized by purulent discharge and matting of
the eyelids, whereas viral is usually watery and allergic is stringy.
4. A 5-year-old presents with ear pain. On exam, the tympanic membrane is
bulging, opaque, and has decreased mobility. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Acute Otitis Media
B. Otitis Media with Effusion
C. Otitis Externa
D. Tympanic Membrane Perforation
Answer: A
Rationale: Acute Otitis Media (AOM) is defined by signs of inflammation and middle ear
effusion, such as a bulging TM and decreased mobility.
5. What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for a healthy adult with Acute
Bacterial Sinusitis?
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin-Clavulanate
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Cephalexin
Answer: B
Rationale: Amoxicillin-Clavulanate (Augmentin) is the first-line choice for bacterial
sinusitis according to IDSA guidelines to cover H. influenzae and S. pneumoniae.
, 6. According to the Centor Criteria, which of the following patients is most likely
to have Group A Strep pharyngitis?
A. Absence of cough, presence of exudates, fever, and tender anterior cervical nodes
B. Presence of cough, exudates, and fever
C. Sore throat, runny nose, and conjunctivitis
D. Presence of cough, no fever, and posterior cervical nodes
Answer: A
Rationale: The Centor Criteria includes: Fever, Exudates, Tender Anterior Cervical
Adenopathy, and Absence of Cough.
7. Which hearing test involves placing a tuning fork on the midline of the head
to assess for lateralization?
A. Rinne Test
B. Snellen Test
C. Weber Test
D. Cover-Uncover Test
Answer: C
Rationale: The Weber test checks for lateralization; sound lateralizes to the affected ear in
conductive loss and the unaffected ear in sensorineural loss.
8. A patient presents with a painful, red, localized swelling of the eyelid margin.
This is most likely a:
A. Chalazion
B. Dacryocystitis
C. Blepharitis
D. Hordeolum
Answer: D
Rationale: A hordeolum (stye) is an acute, painful infection of the eyelid gland, whereas a
chalazion is a chronic, non-tender granulomatous lesion.
