NR 511 DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS AND PRIMARY
CARE PRACTICUM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 45-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain,
cold intolerance, and constipation. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Adrenal insufficiency
Correct Answer: B. Hypothyroidism
Rationale: Hypothyroidism commonly presents with fatigue,
weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, and constipation due to
decreased thyroid hormone production.
2. A patient with hypertension has a blood pressure of 168/96
mmHg on repeated visits. What is the most appropriate initial
management?
A. Reassure the patient and recheck in 1 year
B. Initiate lifestyle modification and antihypertensive therapy
C. Stop all sodium intake immediately
D. Order cardiac catheterization
,Correct Answer: B. Initiate lifestyle modification and
antihypertensive therapy
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension generally requires lifestyle
changes plus medication therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk.
3. Which symptom is most characteristic of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Right lower quadrant pain
B. Heartburn after meals
C. Bloody diarrhea
D. Severe jaundice
Correct Answer: B. Heartburn after meals
Rationale: GERD occurs when gastric contents reflux into the
esophagus, causing heartburn and regurgitation.
4. A patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and
unexplained weight loss. Which laboratory test is most
appropriate to evaluate for diabetes mellitus?
A. Serum calcium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Lipase
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B. Hemoglobin A1c
,Rationale: HbA1c measures average blood glucose levels over
approximately 2–3 months and is used for diabetes diagnosis
and monitoring.
5. Which finding is most concerning in a patient presenting
with a headache?
A. Mild tension headache after stress
B. Headache relieved by rest
C. Sudden “worst headache of life”
D. Occasional seasonal headaches
Correct Answer: C. Sudden “worst headache of life”
Rationale: A sudden severe headache may indicate
subarachnoid hemorrhage or another neurological emergency.
6. A patient reports wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness
of breath triggered by exercise. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. COPD
B. Asthma
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway
obstruction, often triggered by exercise, allergens, or irritants.
, 7. Which test is commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer
in average-risk adults?
A. Colonoscopy
B. Chest X-ray
C. ECG
D. Urinalysis
Correct Answer: A. Colonoscopy
Rationale: Colonoscopy is an effective screening tool that
allows visualization and removal of precancerous polyps.
8. A patient presents with unilateral facial weakness involving
the forehead and mouth. Which condition is suspected?
A. Stroke
B. Bell’s palsy
C. Migraine
D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Correct Answer: B. Bell’s palsy
Rationale: Bell’s palsy causes acute unilateral facial paralysis
involving both upper and lower facial muscles.
9. Which symptom is most suggestive of benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)?
A. Hemoptysis
CARE PRACTICUM EXAM QUESTIONS AND
CORRECT ANSWERS (VERIFIED ANSWERS) Q&A
2026/2027 INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 45-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain,
cold intolerance, and constipation. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Diabetes mellitus
D. Adrenal insufficiency
Correct Answer: B. Hypothyroidism
Rationale: Hypothyroidism commonly presents with fatigue,
weight gain, cold intolerance, dry skin, and constipation due to
decreased thyroid hormone production.
2. A patient with hypertension has a blood pressure of 168/96
mmHg on repeated visits. What is the most appropriate initial
management?
A. Reassure the patient and recheck in 1 year
B. Initiate lifestyle modification and antihypertensive therapy
C. Stop all sodium intake immediately
D. Order cardiac catheterization
,Correct Answer: B. Initiate lifestyle modification and
antihypertensive therapy
Rationale: Stage 2 hypertension generally requires lifestyle
changes plus medication therapy to reduce cardiovascular risk.
3. Which symptom is most characteristic of gastroesophageal
reflux disease (GERD)?
A. Right lower quadrant pain
B. Heartburn after meals
C. Bloody diarrhea
D. Severe jaundice
Correct Answer: B. Heartburn after meals
Rationale: GERD occurs when gastric contents reflux into the
esophagus, causing heartburn and regurgitation.
4. A patient presents with polyuria, polydipsia, and
unexplained weight loss. Which laboratory test is most
appropriate to evaluate for diabetes mellitus?
A. Serum calcium
B. Hemoglobin A1c
C. Lipase
D. Thyroid-stimulating hormone
Correct Answer: B. Hemoglobin A1c
,Rationale: HbA1c measures average blood glucose levels over
approximately 2–3 months and is used for diabetes diagnosis
and monitoring.
5. Which finding is most concerning in a patient presenting
with a headache?
A. Mild tension headache after stress
B. Headache relieved by rest
C. Sudden “worst headache of life”
D. Occasional seasonal headaches
Correct Answer: C. Sudden “worst headache of life”
Rationale: A sudden severe headache may indicate
subarachnoid hemorrhage or another neurological emergency.
6. A patient reports wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness
of breath triggered by exercise. Which diagnosis is most
likely?
A. COPD
B. Asthma
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary embolism
Correct Answer: B. Asthma
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by reversible airway
obstruction, often triggered by exercise, allergens, or irritants.
, 7. Which test is commonly used to screen for colorectal cancer
in average-risk adults?
A. Colonoscopy
B. Chest X-ray
C. ECG
D. Urinalysis
Correct Answer: A. Colonoscopy
Rationale: Colonoscopy is an effective screening tool that
allows visualization and removal of precancerous polyps.
8. A patient presents with unilateral facial weakness involving
the forehead and mouth. Which condition is suspected?
A. Stroke
B. Bell’s palsy
C. Migraine
D. Trigeminal neuralgia
Correct Answer: B. Bell’s palsy
Rationale: Bell’s palsy causes acute unilateral facial paralysis
involving both upper and lower facial muscles.
9. Which symptom is most suggestive of benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH)?
A. Hemoptysis
