Mock Exam 1 — 65 Questions with Answers/Rationales
SOAP & Diagnostic Reasoning — 8
1. Which statement belongs in the “Subjective” section of a SOAP note?
A. “Lungs clear bilaterally”
B. “Patient reports chest tightness with exertion”
C. BP 148/88
D. Skin warm and dry
Answer: B. Subjective data is what the patient says or reports.
2. The diagnostic reasoning process begins:
A. After lab results return
B. When the provider first observes the patient
C. Only after physical exam is complete
D. After the final diagnosis
Answer: B. Reasoning starts with the first observation/general survey.
3. Which is an example of objective data?
A. “I feel dizzy”
B. “Pain is 8/10”
C. Heart rate 112/min
D. “I have nausea”
Answer: C. Objective data is measurable or observed.
4. A patient has cough, fever, dull percussion, bronchial breath sounds, and increased
tactile fremitus. Best likely diagnosis?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pneumonia/consolidation
C. Asthma
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: B. Consolidation increases fremitus and may cause bronchial sounds over lung tissue.
5. Which SOAP section includes differential diagnoses?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Answer: C. Assessment includes diagnosis and differentials.
6. Which is the best example of a pertinent negative?
A. “Patient has cough”
B. “Patient denies fever”
C. “Patient looks ill”
D. “Patient has wheezing”
Answer: B. Pertinent negatives are absent symptoms that help narrow diagnosis.
, 7. Which action best supports diagnostic accuracy?
A. Jumping to the first diagnosis
B. Ignoring abnormal findings
C. Comparing findings against possible differentials
D. Using only patient age
Answer: C. Diagnostic reasoning requires pattern recognition and ruling in/out.
8. A patient with leg swelling, pain with dorsiflexion, and unilateral calf tenderness should
raise concern for:
A. Arterial insufficiency
B. Venous thrombosis
C. Hypertension
D. Lymphedema only
Answer: B. Unilateral swelling and calf pain suggest DVT.
Growth & Measurement — 2
9. In infants, the most important growth measurement for brain development is:
A. Waist circumference
B. Head circumference
C. Arm span
D. BMI only
Answer: B. Head circumference tracks brain/skull growth.
10. Which finding requires follow-up in a child’s growth assessment?
A. Growth following same percentile curve
B. Sudden drop across percentile lines
C. Height and weight proportional
D. Stable head circumference percentile
Answer: B. Crossing percentiles may indicate abnormal growth or illness.
Skin, Hair, Nails — 8
11. Yellow plaques around the eyelids are called:
A. Petechiae
B. Xanthelasma
C. Vitiligo
D. Cherry angiomas
Answer: B. Xanthelasma are yellow lipid deposits, often linked with hyperlipidemia.
12. A flat, nonpalpable skin color change less than 1 cm is a:
A. Macule
SOAP & Diagnostic Reasoning — 8
1. Which statement belongs in the “Subjective” section of a SOAP note?
A. “Lungs clear bilaterally”
B. “Patient reports chest tightness with exertion”
C. BP 148/88
D. Skin warm and dry
Answer: B. Subjective data is what the patient says or reports.
2. The diagnostic reasoning process begins:
A. After lab results return
B. When the provider first observes the patient
C. Only after physical exam is complete
D. After the final diagnosis
Answer: B. Reasoning starts with the first observation/general survey.
3. Which is an example of objective data?
A. “I feel dizzy”
B. “Pain is 8/10”
C. Heart rate 112/min
D. “I have nausea”
Answer: C. Objective data is measurable or observed.
4. A patient has cough, fever, dull percussion, bronchial breath sounds, and increased
tactile fremitus. Best likely diagnosis?
A. Pneumothorax
B. Pneumonia/consolidation
C. Asthma
D. Pleural effusion
Answer: B. Consolidation increases fremitus and may cause bronchial sounds over lung tissue.
5. Which SOAP section includes differential diagnoses?
A. Subjective
B. Objective
C. Assessment
D. Plan
Answer: C. Assessment includes diagnosis and differentials.
6. Which is the best example of a pertinent negative?
A. “Patient has cough”
B. “Patient denies fever”
C. “Patient looks ill”
D. “Patient has wheezing”
Answer: B. Pertinent negatives are absent symptoms that help narrow diagnosis.
, 7. Which action best supports diagnostic accuracy?
A. Jumping to the first diagnosis
B. Ignoring abnormal findings
C. Comparing findings against possible differentials
D. Using only patient age
Answer: C. Diagnostic reasoning requires pattern recognition and ruling in/out.
8. A patient with leg swelling, pain with dorsiflexion, and unilateral calf tenderness should
raise concern for:
A. Arterial insufficiency
B. Venous thrombosis
C. Hypertension
D. Lymphedema only
Answer: B. Unilateral swelling and calf pain suggest DVT.
Growth & Measurement — 2
9. In infants, the most important growth measurement for brain development is:
A. Waist circumference
B. Head circumference
C. Arm span
D. BMI only
Answer: B. Head circumference tracks brain/skull growth.
10. Which finding requires follow-up in a child’s growth assessment?
A. Growth following same percentile curve
B. Sudden drop across percentile lines
C. Height and weight proportional
D. Stable head circumference percentile
Answer: B. Crossing percentiles may indicate abnormal growth or illness.
Skin, Hair, Nails — 8
11. Yellow plaques around the eyelids are called:
A. Petechiae
B. Xanthelasma
C. Vitiligo
D. Cherry angiomas
Answer: B. Xanthelasma are yellow lipid deposits, often linked with hyperlipidemia.
12. A flat, nonpalpable skin color change less than 1 cm is a:
A. Macule
