CEA EXAM / NR 575 CEA EXAM
ACTUAL EXAM LATEST 2025/2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
1. While assessing the 19 year old patient for a new onset cough, the nurse
practitioner may inspect, auscultate, palpate, and/or percuss. How does performing
percussion of the thorax assist the provider during the physical examination?
Answer:-To identify if underlying tissues are air-filled, fluid-filled or
consolidated.
2. Your 42 year old male patient has been referred to your clinic for establishing
care and on his intake survey, you note he has documented diagnosis of interstitial
lung disease. You have decided to perform a diaphragmatic excursion test on the
patient. Which one of the following results would you expect to see in this patient?
Answer:-Approximately equal level of change in the descent of the diaphragm
bilaterally during maximal inspiration and expiration, with a decreased
overall inspiratory capacity.
3. Your 50 year old Caucasian male patient has not seen a primary care giver in
20+ years and is here for a history and physical examination. While examining the
head and face, you see your patient has nonpitting periorbital edema, particularly
underneath their eyes and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third of
eyebrows. Which one of the following would you expect to cause this finding?
Answer:-Severe hypothyroidism.
4. A 40 year old, female, African American patient presents for history and
physical. Upon your initial assessment, you notice she has severe exophthalmos.
,Which one of the following diagnoses below would be the highest on your
differential diagnosis of this physical examination finding?
Answer:-Hyperthyroidism.
5. Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has been seen by
pulmonology and has undergone a pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry.
As the patient's primary healthcare provider, you have been asked to explain the
findings of the PFT to the patient. To describe the PFT to the patient in more useful
terms, you state that the large inspiration of air to the furthest extent they could
reasonably accomplish followed by a full exhalation is referred to as which of the
following measurements during the PFT?
Answer:-Forced Vital Capacity.
6. Your 32 year old female patient presented for a routine health exam states they
have a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism by another provider a year ago. In addition to
evaluation with TSH and T4 labwork, which of the following represent typical
signs of hyperthyroidism expected on your exam of this patient?
Answer:-Tachycardia.
7. The nurse practitioner's evaluation of a patient with Diabetes Mellitus type 2
should include which of the following while evaluating for end organ dysfunction
of the disease?
Answer:-All of these are appropriate options (Renal function panel,
Urinalysis, Non-dilated eye exam).
8. Your patient with a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is being seen in your
clinic for routine liver serology and follow-up examination. Which of the
following correctly identifies the normal liver span when percussing the liver of a
HEALTHY adult?
Answer:-6-12 cm in the midclavicular line.
,9. A 55 year old male presents with complaints of progressive shortness of breath
on exertion and a dry cough. On auscultation, you hear bilateral fine crackles that
are persistent and do not clear with coughing. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
Answer:-Interstitial lung disease.
10. During a cardiac examination, you note a harsh, holosystolic murmur best
heard at the apex with radiation to the axilla. This finding is most consistent with
which valvular lesion?
Answer:-Mitral regurgitation.
11. A 72 year old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain that
radiates to her back. Her blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 100/60 in
the left arm. Which diagnosis is highest on your differential?
Answer:-Aortic dissection.
12. On ophthalmoscopic examination of a patient with a long history of
hypertension, you notice arteriovenous nicking, copper wiring of arteries, and
cotton wool spots. This finding is consistent with which condition?
Answer:-Hypertensive retinopathy.
13. A 28 year old pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation presents with new onset
headache, blurred vision, and epigastric pain. Her blood pressure is 165/105.
Which condition is the most likely?
Answer:-Preeclampsia.
14. During a thyroid examination, you palpate a firm, non-tender, irregular nodule
that is fixed to surrounding tissues in a 60 year old patient. Which diagnosis should
be strongly considered?
, Answer:-Thyroid cancer.
15. A 45 year old male with history of alcohol use disorder presents with jaundice,
ascites, and asterixis. Which complication of liver disease is suggested by
asterixis?
Answer:-Hepatic encephalopathy.
16. On auscultation of the lungs, you hear a continuous, machinery-like murmur in
a 2 week old infant. Which congenital heart defect is most likely?
Answer:-Patent ductus arteriosus.
17. A 35 year old female presents with fatigue, joint pain, malar rash, and oral
ulcers. Laboratory testing reveals positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies.
Which diagnosis is most consistent?
Answer:-Systemic lupus erythematosus.
18. During a neurological examination, a patient is unable to identify a number
traced on their palm with eyes closed. This deficit is known as?
Answer:-Agraphesthesia.
19. A 68 year old male with a 50 pack-year smoking history presents with new
onset hoarseness and a neck mass. Laryngoscopy reveals a vocal cord lesion.
Which cancer is most likely?
Answer:-Laryngeal cancer.
20. On abdominal examination, a palpable, pulsatile mass is felt just left of the
midline in a 70 year old male with back pain. Which condition must be ruled out
immediately?
Answer:-Abdominal aortic aneurysm.
ACTUAL EXAM LATEST 2025/2026
COMPLETE QUESTIONS WITH
ANSWERS
1. While assessing the 19 year old patient for a new onset cough, the nurse
practitioner may inspect, auscultate, palpate, and/or percuss. How does performing
percussion of the thorax assist the provider during the physical examination?
Answer:-To identify if underlying tissues are air-filled, fluid-filled or
consolidated.
2. Your 42 year old male patient has been referred to your clinic for establishing
care and on his intake survey, you note he has documented diagnosis of interstitial
lung disease. You have decided to perform a diaphragmatic excursion test on the
patient. Which one of the following results would you expect to see in this patient?
Answer:-Approximately equal level of change in the descent of the diaphragm
bilaterally during maximal inspiration and expiration, with a decreased
overall inspiratory capacity.
3. Your 50 year old Caucasian male patient has not seen a primary care giver in
20+ years and is here for a history and physical examination. While examining the
head and face, you see your patient has nonpitting periorbital edema, particularly
underneath their eyes and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third of
eyebrows. Which one of the following would you expect to cause this finding?
Answer:-Severe hypothyroidism.
4. A 40 year old, female, African American patient presents for history and
physical. Upon your initial assessment, you notice she has severe exophthalmos.
,Which one of the following diagnoses below would be the highest on your
differential diagnosis of this physical examination finding?
Answer:-Hyperthyroidism.
5. Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has been seen by
pulmonology and has undergone a pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry.
As the patient's primary healthcare provider, you have been asked to explain the
findings of the PFT to the patient. To describe the PFT to the patient in more useful
terms, you state that the large inspiration of air to the furthest extent they could
reasonably accomplish followed by a full exhalation is referred to as which of the
following measurements during the PFT?
Answer:-Forced Vital Capacity.
6. Your 32 year old female patient presented for a routine health exam states they
have a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism by another provider a year ago. In addition to
evaluation with TSH and T4 labwork, which of the following represent typical
signs of hyperthyroidism expected on your exam of this patient?
Answer:-Tachycardia.
7. The nurse practitioner's evaluation of a patient with Diabetes Mellitus type 2
should include which of the following while evaluating for end organ dysfunction
of the disease?
Answer:-All of these are appropriate options (Renal function panel,
Urinalysis, Non-dilated eye exam).
8. Your patient with a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is being seen in your
clinic for routine liver serology and follow-up examination. Which of the
following correctly identifies the normal liver span when percussing the liver of a
HEALTHY adult?
Answer:-6-12 cm in the midclavicular line.
,9. A 55 year old male presents with complaints of progressive shortness of breath
on exertion and a dry cough. On auscultation, you hear bilateral fine crackles that
are persistent and do not clear with coughing. Which condition is most consistent
with these findings?
Answer:-Interstitial lung disease.
10. During a cardiac examination, you note a harsh, holosystolic murmur best
heard at the apex with radiation to the axilla. This finding is most consistent with
which valvular lesion?
Answer:-Mitral regurgitation.
11. A 72 year old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain that
radiates to her back. Her blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 100/60 in
the left arm. Which diagnosis is highest on your differential?
Answer:-Aortic dissection.
12. On ophthalmoscopic examination of a patient with a long history of
hypertension, you notice arteriovenous nicking, copper wiring of arteries, and
cotton wool spots. This finding is consistent with which condition?
Answer:-Hypertensive retinopathy.
13. A 28 year old pregnant patient at 32 weeks gestation presents with new onset
headache, blurred vision, and epigastric pain. Her blood pressure is 165/105.
Which condition is the most likely?
Answer:-Preeclampsia.
14. During a thyroid examination, you palpate a firm, non-tender, irregular nodule
that is fixed to surrounding tissues in a 60 year old patient. Which diagnosis should
be strongly considered?
, Answer:-Thyroid cancer.
15. A 45 year old male with history of alcohol use disorder presents with jaundice,
ascites, and asterixis. Which complication of liver disease is suggested by
asterixis?
Answer:-Hepatic encephalopathy.
16. On auscultation of the lungs, you hear a continuous, machinery-like murmur in
a 2 week old infant. Which congenital heart defect is most likely?
Answer:-Patent ductus arteriosus.
17. A 35 year old female presents with fatigue, joint pain, malar rash, and oral
ulcers. Laboratory testing reveals positive ANA and anti-dsDNA antibodies.
Which diagnosis is most consistent?
Answer:-Systemic lupus erythematosus.
18. During a neurological examination, a patient is unable to identify a number
traced on their palm with eyes closed. This deficit is known as?
Answer:-Agraphesthesia.
19. A 68 year old male with a 50 pack-year smoking history presents with new
onset hoarseness and a neck mass. Laryngoscopy reveals a vocal cord lesion.
Which cancer is most likely?
Answer:-Laryngeal cancer.
20. On abdominal examination, a palpable, pulsatile mass is felt just left of the
midline in a 70 year old male with back pain. Which condition must be ruled out
immediately?
Answer:-Abdominal aortic aneurysm.
