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NR511/ NR 511 Final Exam V2 | Questions & Answers |
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care (Latest
Version 2026/2027) – Graded A
Differential Diagnosis & Primary Care – Comprehensive Q&A
Review
Introduction
This 2026/2027 NR 511 Final Exam Study Guide is designed to help learners strengthen their
clinical reasoning, sharpen differential diagnosis skills, and build confidence in managing common
conditions encountered in primary care settings. The content is structured around high-yield
concepts that reflect the core learning objectives of NR 511, including diagnostic decision-making,
evidence-based practice, and patient-centered assessment strategies.
Inside this study guide, you’ll find carefully crafted practice questions paired with clear, accurate
explanations to reinforce understanding—not replace studying. Each question is designed to mirror
the style, depth, and clinical thinking required in graduate-level primary care coursework. All
answers come with concise rationales to support deeper comprehension and help students prepare
effectively for graded assessments.
Whether you’re reviewing key disease processes, clarifying diagnostic pathways, or strengthening
exam-taking strategies, this resource offers a focused and approachable way to study smarter and
more efficiently.
,1. The remodeling of a scar can take how long?
a. 6 months.
b. 3 months.
c. 1 month.
d. 2 weeks.
A. 6 months
Question 1. A 13-year-old obese (body mass index [BMI] above the 95th percentile) boy reports
low-grade left knee pain for the past 2 months. He denies antecedent trauma but admits to
frequent “horseplay” with his friends. The pain has progressively worsened, and he is now
unable to bear weight at all on his left leg. His current complaints include left groin, thigh, and
medial knee pain and tenderness. His examination demonstrates negative drawer, Lachman, and
McMurray tests; left hip with decreased internal rotation and abduction; and external hip rotation
with knee flexion. Based on the above scenario, the nurse practitioner should suspect:
1. A left meniscal tear.
2. A left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
3. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
4. Osgood-Schlatter disease.
3. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
Question 2. In assessing the skeletal muscles, the nurse practitioner turns the patient's forearm so
that the palm is up. This is called:
1. Supination.
2. Pronation.
3. Abduction.
4. Eversion.
1. Supination
Question 3. Cass, age 67, tells the nurse practitioner (NP) that she has been diagnosed with a
condition that causes sudden flares of pain, swelling, and redness of the joints in her toes. She
cannot remember the name of the diagnosis, but she knows it is caused by urate crystals that "get
stuck in the joint and cause pain." She is on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for management of her
hypertension. The NP should suspect a diagnosis of:
1. Septic arthritis.
2. Gout.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy.
2. Gout
,Question 4. Matthew, age 52, is a chef who just severed 2 of his fingers with a meat cutter. You
would recommend that he:
1. Wrap the severed fingers tightly in a dry towel for transport to the emergency department with
him.
2. Leave the severed fingers at the scene because fingers cannot be reattached.
3. Immediately freeze the severed fingers for reattachment in the near future.
4. Wrap the fingers in a clean, damp cloth; seal them in a plastic bag; and place the bag in an ice
water bath.
4. Wrap the fingers in a clean, damp cloth; seal them in a plastic bag; and place the bag in an ice
water bath.
Question 5. Marsha, age 34, presents with symptoms resembling both fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue syndrome, which have many similarities. Which of the following is more characteristic of
fibromyalgia than of chronic fatigue syndrome?
1. Musculoskeletal pain.
2. Difficulty sleeping.
3. Depression.
4. Fatigue.
1. Musculoskeletal pain
Question 6. Mrs. Kelly, age 80, has a curvature of the spine. This is likely to indicate which age-
related change?
1. Lordosis.
2. Dorsal kyphosis.
3. Scoliosis.
4. Kyphoscoliosis.
2. Dorsal Kyphosis
Question 7. The valgus stress test, varus stress test, Lachman test, and thumb sign are all
considered standard tests to check the integrity of the ligaments of the knee. Which test would
the nurse practitioner choose to assess the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is the most
commonly involved structure in severe knee injury?
1. Valgus stress test.
, 2. Varus stress test.
3. Lachman test.
4. Thumb sign.
3. Lachman test
Question 8. Lillian, age 70, was told that she has osteoporosis. When she asks you what this is,
you respond that osteoporosis:
1. Develops when loss of bone occurs more rapidly than new bone growth.
2. Is a degenerative joint disease characterized by loss of cartilage in certain joints.
3. Is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects multiple joints.
4. Is a bone disorder that has to do with inadequate mineralization of the bones.
1. Develops when loss of bone occurs more rapidly than new bone growth.
Question 9. Mike, age 42, a golf pro, has had chronic back pain for many years. His workup
reveals that it is not the result of a degenerative disk problem. His back “goes out” about twice
per year, and he is out of work for about a week each time. Which of the following should the
nurse practitioner advise him to do?
1. Consider changing careers to something less physical.
2. Begin a planned exercise program to strengthen back muscles.
3. Make an appointment with a neurosurgeon for a surgical consultation.
4. Start on a daily low-dose narcotic to take away the pain.
2. Begin a planned exercise program to strengthen back muscles.
Question 10. Janine, age 69, has class III rheumatoid arthritis. According to the American
Rheumatism Association, which of the following describes her ability to function?
1. Adequate for normal activities despite a handicap of discomfort or limited motion of one or
more joints.
2. Largely or wholly incapacitated, bedridden, or confined to a wheelchair, permitting little or no
self-care.
3. Completely able to carry out all usual duties without handicap.
4. Adequate to perform only a few or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care.
4. Adequate to perform only a few or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care.
NR511/ NR 511 Final Exam V2 | Questions & Answers |
Differential Diagnosis and Primary Care (Latest
Version 2026/2027) – Graded A
Differential Diagnosis & Primary Care – Comprehensive Q&A
Review
Introduction
This 2026/2027 NR 511 Final Exam Study Guide is designed to help learners strengthen their
clinical reasoning, sharpen differential diagnosis skills, and build confidence in managing common
conditions encountered in primary care settings. The content is structured around high-yield
concepts that reflect the core learning objectives of NR 511, including diagnostic decision-making,
evidence-based practice, and patient-centered assessment strategies.
Inside this study guide, you’ll find carefully crafted practice questions paired with clear, accurate
explanations to reinforce understanding—not replace studying. Each question is designed to mirror
the style, depth, and clinical thinking required in graduate-level primary care coursework. All
answers come with concise rationales to support deeper comprehension and help students prepare
effectively for graded assessments.
Whether you’re reviewing key disease processes, clarifying diagnostic pathways, or strengthening
exam-taking strategies, this resource offers a focused and approachable way to study smarter and
more efficiently.
,1. The remodeling of a scar can take how long?
a. 6 months.
b. 3 months.
c. 1 month.
d. 2 weeks.
A. 6 months
Question 1. A 13-year-old obese (body mass index [BMI] above the 95th percentile) boy reports
low-grade left knee pain for the past 2 months. He denies antecedent trauma but admits to
frequent “horseplay” with his friends. The pain has progressively worsened, and he is now
unable to bear weight at all on his left leg. His current complaints include left groin, thigh, and
medial knee pain and tenderness. His examination demonstrates negative drawer, Lachman, and
McMurray tests; left hip with decreased internal rotation and abduction; and external hip rotation
with knee flexion. Based on the above scenario, the nurse practitioner should suspect:
1. A left meniscal tear.
2. A left anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
3. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
4. Osgood-Schlatter disease.
3. A slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE).
Question 2. In assessing the skeletal muscles, the nurse practitioner turns the patient's forearm so
that the palm is up. This is called:
1. Supination.
2. Pronation.
3. Abduction.
4. Eversion.
1. Supination
Question 3. Cass, age 67, tells the nurse practitioner (NP) that she has been diagnosed with a
condition that causes sudden flares of pain, swelling, and redness of the joints in her toes. She
cannot remember the name of the diagnosis, but she knows it is caused by urate crystals that "get
stuck in the joint and cause pain." She is on hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) for management of her
hypertension. The NP should suspect a diagnosis of:
1. Septic arthritis.
2. Gout.
3. Rheumatoid arthritis.
4. Charcot neuro-osteoarthropathy.
2. Gout
,Question 4. Matthew, age 52, is a chef who just severed 2 of his fingers with a meat cutter. You
would recommend that he:
1. Wrap the severed fingers tightly in a dry towel for transport to the emergency department with
him.
2. Leave the severed fingers at the scene because fingers cannot be reattached.
3. Immediately freeze the severed fingers for reattachment in the near future.
4. Wrap the fingers in a clean, damp cloth; seal them in a plastic bag; and place the bag in an ice
water bath.
4. Wrap the fingers in a clean, damp cloth; seal them in a plastic bag; and place the bag in an ice
water bath.
Question 5. Marsha, age 34, presents with symptoms resembling both fibromyalgia and chronic
fatigue syndrome, which have many similarities. Which of the following is more characteristic of
fibromyalgia than of chronic fatigue syndrome?
1. Musculoskeletal pain.
2. Difficulty sleeping.
3. Depression.
4. Fatigue.
1. Musculoskeletal pain
Question 6. Mrs. Kelly, age 80, has a curvature of the spine. This is likely to indicate which age-
related change?
1. Lordosis.
2. Dorsal kyphosis.
3. Scoliosis.
4. Kyphoscoliosis.
2. Dorsal Kyphosis
Question 7. The valgus stress test, varus stress test, Lachman test, and thumb sign are all
considered standard tests to check the integrity of the ligaments of the knee. Which test would
the nurse practitioner choose to assess the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is the most
commonly involved structure in severe knee injury?
1. Valgus stress test.
, 2. Varus stress test.
3. Lachman test.
4. Thumb sign.
3. Lachman test
Question 8. Lillian, age 70, was told that she has osteoporosis. When she asks you what this is,
you respond that osteoporosis:
1. Develops when loss of bone occurs more rapidly than new bone growth.
2. Is a degenerative joint disease characterized by loss of cartilage in certain joints.
3. Is a chronic inflammatory disorder that affects multiple joints.
4. Is a bone disorder that has to do with inadequate mineralization of the bones.
1. Develops when loss of bone occurs more rapidly than new bone growth.
Question 9. Mike, age 42, a golf pro, has had chronic back pain for many years. His workup
reveals that it is not the result of a degenerative disk problem. His back “goes out” about twice
per year, and he is out of work for about a week each time. Which of the following should the
nurse practitioner advise him to do?
1. Consider changing careers to something less physical.
2. Begin a planned exercise program to strengthen back muscles.
3. Make an appointment with a neurosurgeon for a surgical consultation.
4. Start on a daily low-dose narcotic to take away the pain.
2. Begin a planned exercise program to strengthen back muscles.
Question 10. Janine, age 69, has class III rheumatoid arthritis. According to the American
Rheumatism Association, which of the following describes her ability to function?
1. Adequate for normal activities despite a handicap of discomfort or limited motion of one or
more joints.
2. Largely or wholly incapacitated, bedridden, or confined to a wheelchair, permitting little or no
self-care.
3. Completely able to carry out all usual duties without handicap.
4. Adequate to perform only a few or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care.
4. Adequate to perform only a few or none of the duties of usual occupation or self-care.
