CAPSTONE STUDY GUIDE 2026/2027
Your 51-year-old female patient has been diagnosed with a "new murmur" during a near
syncopal episode workup. In evaluating this patient, during which phase of the cardiac cycle
would you anticipate auscultation of an S1 heart sound? - correct answer ✔✔Systole
The initial workup for a patient with a new chief complaint of palpitations should include which
of the following tests first? - correct answer ✔✔Basic metabolic profile
Which of the following locations is most commonly described as the best location to identify the
aortic valve in a healthy adult? - correct answer ✔✔2nd intercostal space, right sternal border
Jason, a 63-year-old male who had a cardiac drug-eluting stent placed and had an elevated
troponin of 1.6, asks how long he will need to be on aspirin plus clopidogrel (Plavix). How long
should Jason be on dual antiplatelet therapy after his stent? - correct answer ✔✔12 months
minimum
What illness or diagnosis would localized egophony on auscultation over the left lower lobe
most likely imply? - correct answer ✔✔Consolidation (pneumonia)
While assessing a 15-year-old patient for a new onset of cough, how does
performing percussion of the thorax assist the provider during the physical examination? -
correct answer ✔✔To identify if underlying tissues are air-filled, fluid-filled, or consolidated
Which of the following patients would you expect to show a less-than-expected forced vital
capacity (FVC) on pulmonary function testing? - correct answer ✔✔Severe interstitial lung
disease
,In obstructive lung disease, a decreased level in which of the following spirometry parameters is
most suggestive of diagnosis? - correct answer ✔✔Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second (FEV₁)
Your newly established patient developed a progressively enlarged thyroid gland (goiter) along
with symptoms of anxiety, palpitations, and tremor over the last year. Which diagnosis is most
likely based on these findings? - correct answer ✔✔Graves' Disease
A 32-year-old female with a diagnosis of hyperthyroidism might exhibit which of the following
typical signs on exam? - correct answer ✔✔Exophthalmos
Your patient has Cushing's disease. Which of the following would you NOT expect to find during
examination? - correct answer ✔✔Low body temperature
In a patient with Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, the evaluation for end-organ dysfunction should
include which of the following? - correct answer ✔✔of these are appropriate
A patient with severe cirrhosis awaiting possible liver transplant should be evaluated with which
scoring system to assess liver function and prognosis? - correct answer ✔✔Model for End-Stage
Liver Disease (MELD) Score
You suspect mononucleosis in a 12-year-old with left upper quadrant pain and likely
splenomegaly. Which examination step should be avoided over that area? - correct answer
✔✔Deep palpitation
A 21-year-old female may have a perforated gastric ulcer with peritonitis. Which type of
bacteria is most likely the causative agent? - correct answer ✔✔Gram negative rods
A 22-year-old male power lifter complains his scrotum is very enlarged and fluid-like. Which
diagnosis is most likely? - correct answer ✔✔Hydrocele
, A 22-year-old female has sinus pressure and congestion. Which maneuver may help reproduce
sinus-related pain and support the diagnosis? - correct answer ✔✔Leaning forward
A 49-year-old male presents with weight loss, night sweats, anhedonia, and CXR showing
profoundly enlarged hilar adenopathy. Which diagnosis should be in your differential? - correct
answer ✔✔Lymphoma
Which of the following diseases is associated with vitreous detachment? - correct answer
✔✔Ehlers-Danlos
A patient presents with a unilateral visual deficit described as loss of visual fields on the right
side in both eyes. This is known as what? - correct answer ✔✔Homonymous hemianopia
An adolescent female with microcytic, hypochromic anemia and elevated RDW most likely has
iron deficiency. Which labs will you order first? - correct answer ✔✔TIBC and ferritin
A microcytic anemia with normal RDW is most likely which type of anemia? - correct answer
✔✔Thalassemia trait
A 43-year-old male with macrocytic anemia should be evaluated for which lab level to help
narrow the etiology? - correct answer ✔✔Vitamin B12
A 66-year-old female with end-stage renal disease on dialysis has labs showing high
creatinine/BUN. On CBC, you'd typically see which result? - correct answer ✔✔Normal MCH,
hemoglobin 9.6
During a routine physical, a 12-year-old with a history of Reye syndrome is noted. Which agent
is most often implicated in causing Reye syndrome? - correct answer ✔✔Aspirin use