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NR 545 Exam Test Bank 2026–2027
Chamberlain University | Exams 1, 2
& 3 | 300 Q&A with Rationales |
Nursing Exam Prep
NR 545 Exam Test Bank 2026–2027 combines Exams 1, 2 & 3 into
one comprehensive collection of 300 practice questions and answers
with rationales. Designed for efficient exam preparation, this
resource helps you review key concepts, test your knowledge,
identify weak areas, and strengthen clinical reasoning before exam
day. Ideal for nursing students seeking organized, focused NR 545
preparation in one convenient study resource for faster and more
confident review.
EXAM 1: EENT, Physical Assessment, and Foundational
Topics
Questions 1-100: EENT Disorders
1. A patient presents with bilateral itchy, red eyes with rope-like discharge and
clear nasal discharge. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Viral conjunctivitis
B. Bacterial conjunctivitis
C. Allergic conjunctivitis
D. Keratitis
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Rationale: Allergic conjunctivitis presents with bilateral itching, redness, and rope-like
discharge. It is an IgE-mediated response to allergens such as dust, mites, or animal
dander. Vision is typically within normal limits, and patients often have associated
allergic rhinitis symptoms. Treatment focuses on allergen identification, avoidance, and
medications such as cromolyn ophthalmic drops, oral antihistamines, or antihistamine
eye drops .
2. A patient reports waking up with their eyelids "stuck together." On exam,
you note purulent drainage and injected conjunctiva. Which type of
conjunctivitis is most likely?
A. Allergic conjunctivitis
B. Bacterial conjunctivitis
C. Viral conjunctivitis
D. Chemical conjunctivitis
Rationale: Bacterial conjunctivitis is commonly caused by staphylococci, streptococci,
chlamydial organisms, or gonococci. Patients typically present with unilateral red and
irritated eyes, eyelids "stuck together" upon awakening, and purulent drainage.
Treatment is provided to decrease spread of contagion and shorten the illness course,
using antibiotics such as polymyxin B plus trimethoprim eye drops or azithromycin .
3. Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by which organism?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Adenovirus
D. Chlamydia trachomatis
Rationale: Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by adenovirus. It typically
resolves in 2-3 weeks without antibacterial therapy. Patients present with unilateral or
bilateral red eyes, watery discharge, and often report current or recent viral infections.
Vision remains within normal limits .
4. A patient presents with ear pain that worsens with movement of the pinna.
This finding is most consistent with:
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A. Acute otitis media
B. Otitis externa
C. Mastoiditis
D. Serous otitis media
Rationale: Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) can be differentiated from otitis media
because pain is increased with movement of the pinna. It is inflammation of the
external ear canal that occurs in children and adults, ranging from minor inflammation
to intense pain. The most common causative agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
though candida or aspergillus species may also cause it .
5. The most common causative agent for otitis externa is:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Haemophilus influenzae
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Moraxella catarrhalis
Rationale: Otitis externa is usually bacterial but occasionally fungal. The most
common causative agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other causes include candida or
aspergillus species. Swimming in pools with alkaline pH alters the acidic pH of the ear
canal that typically inhibits microorganism growth, predisposing to infection .
6. Which finding is characteristic of otitis media on otoscopic examination?
A. Clear fluid behind an intact tympanic membrane
B. Bulging, reddened tympanic membrane with fluid bubbles
C. Normal tympanic membrane with cerumen impaction
D. Perforated tympanic membrane with purulent drainage
Rationale: Diagnosis of otitis media requires examination with an otoscope revealing
a bulging tympanic membrane, with fluid bubbles possibly observed behind a reddened
tympanic membrane. Signs and symptoms include fever, pain (infants may pull at the
ear), enlarged lymph nodes, and upper respiratory symptoms. Discharge from the ear
may occur if the tympanic membrane is ruptured .
, 4|Page
7. First-line antibiotic therapy for acute otitis media in a child without penicillin
allergy is:
A. Azithromycin
B. Cephalexin
C. Amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate
D. Doxycycline
Rationale: For children with acute otitis media, first-line treatment without penicillin
allergy includes amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate. Antibiotic therapy should be
avoided in mild-moderate cases but is prescribed for symptoms persisting >2-3 days,
for children <2 years old with bilateral acute otitis media or bulging tympanic
membranes, for those with 4+ symptoms, or for persons with otorrhea .
8. Allergic rhinitis is commonly triggered by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Grass pollen
B. Dust mites
C. Animal dander
D. Bacteria
Rationale: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is an IgE-mediated response to triggers such as
grass, pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander. Symptoms include pruritis of nasal
passages, conjunctiva, and roof of mouth; sneezing/coughing; and sore throat.
Treatment includes OTC antihistamines (diphenhydramine, loratadine, cetirizine,
fexofenadine), anticholinergic nasal sprays (ipratropium bromide), nasal saline flush
post-exposure, and allergen avoidance .
9. Viral rhinitis (common cold) is most commonly caused by:
A. Influenza virus
B. Respiratory syncytial virus
C. Rhinovirus
D. Parainfluenza virus
Rationale: Viral rhinitis is most commonly caused by rhinovirus, but can also be
caused by adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, or coronavirus. It is spread through
respiratory droplets. Patients typically present with mouth breathing with change in
tone of voice, malaise, occasional fever, and sneezing .
NR 545 Exam Test Bank 2026–2027
Chamberlain University | Exams 1, 2
& 3 | 300 Q&A with Rationales |
Nursing Exam Prep
NR 545 Exam Test Bank 2026–2027 combines Exams 1, 2 & 3 into
one comprehensive collection of 300 practice questions and answers
with rationales. Designed for efficient exam preparation, this
resource helps you review key concepts, test your knowledge,
identify weak areas, and strengthen clinical reasoning before exam
day. Ideal for nursing students seeking organized, focused NR 545
preparation in one convenient study resource for faster and more
confident review.
EXAM 1: EENT, Physical Assessment, and Foundational
Topics
Questions 1-100: EENT Disorders
1. A patient presents with bilateral itchy, red eyes with rope-like discharge and
clear nasal discharge. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Viral conjunctivitis
B. Bacterial conjunctivitis
C. Allergic conjunctivitis
D. Keratitis
,2|Page
Rationale: Allergic conjunctivitis presents with bilateral itching, redness, and rope-like
discharge. It is an IgE-mediated response to allergens such as dust, mites, or animal
dander. Vision is typically within normal limits, and patients often have associated
allergic rhinitis symptoms. Treatment focuses on allergen identification, avoidance, and
medications such as cromolyn ophthalmic drops, oral antihistamines, or antihistamine
eye drops .
2. A patient reports waking up with their eyelids "stuck together." On exam,
you note purulent drainage and injected conjunctiva. Which type of
conjunctivitis is most likely?
A. Allergic conjunctivitis
B. Bacterial conjunctivitis
C. Viral conjunctivitis
D. Chemical conjunctivitis
Rationale: Bacterial conjunctivitis is commonly caused by staphylococci, streptococci,
chlamydial organisms, or gonococci. Patients typically present with unilateral red and
irritated eyes, eyelids "stuck together" upon awakening, and purulent drainage.
Treatment is provided to decrease spread of contagion and shorten the illness course,
using antibiotics such as polymyxin B plus trimethoprim eye drops or azithromycin .
3. Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by which organism?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Streptococcus pneumoniae
C. Adenovirus
D. Chlamydia trachomatis
Rationale: Viral conjunctivitis is most commonly caused by adenovirus. It typically
resolves in 2-3 weeks without antibacterial therapy. Patients present with unilateral or
bilateral red eyes, watery discharge, and often report current or recent viral infections.
Vision remains within normal limits .
4. A patient presents with ear pain that worsens with movement of the pinna.
This finding is most consistent with:
,3|Page
A. Acute otitis media
B. Otitis externa
C. Mastoiditis
D. Serous otitis media
Rationale: Otitis externa (swimmer's ear) can be differentiated from otitis media
because pain is increased with movement of the pinna. It is inflammation of the
external ear canal that occurs in children and adults, ranging from minor inflammation
to intense pain. The most common causative agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa,
though candida or aspergillus species may also cause it .
5. The most common causative agent for otitis externa is:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Haemophilus influenzae
C. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
D. Moraxella catarrhalis
Rationale: Otitis externa is usually bacterial but occasionally fungal. The most
common causative agent is Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Other causes include candida or
aspergillus species. Swimming in pools with alkaline pH alters the acidic pH of the ear
canal that typically inhibits microorganism growth, predisposing to infection .
6. Which finding is characteristic of otitis media on otoscopic examination?
A. Clear fluid behind an intact tympanic membrane
B. Bulging, reddened tympanic membrane with fluid bubbles
C. Normal tympanic membrane with cerumen impaction
D. Perforated tympanic membrane with purulent drainage
Rationale: Diagnosis of otitis media requires examination with an otoscope revealing
a bulging tympanic membrane, with fluid bubbles possibly observed behind a reddened
tympanic membrane. Signs and symptoms include fever, pain (infants may pull at the
ear), enlarged lymph nodes, and upper respiratory symptoms. Discharge from the ear
may occur if the tympanic membrane is ruptured .
, 4|Page
7. First-line antibiotic therapy for acute otitis media in a child without penicillin
allergy is:
A. Azithromycin
B. Cephalexin
C. Amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate
D. Doxycycline
Rationale: For children with acute otitis media, first-line treatment without penicillin
allergy includes amoxicillin or amoxicillin-clavulanate. Antibiotic therapy should be
avoided in mild-moderate cases but is prescribed for symptoms persisting >2-3 days,
for children <2 years old with bilateral acute otitis media or bulging tympanic
membranes, for those with 4+ symptoms, or for persons with otorrhea .
8. Allergic rhinitis is commonly triggered by all of the following EXCEPT:
A. Grass pollen
B. Dust mites
C. Animal dander
D. Bacteria
Rationale: Allergic rhinitis (hay fever) is an IgE-mediated response to triggers such as
grass, pollen, mold, dust mites, and animal dander. Symptoms include pruritis of nasal
passages, conjunctiva, and roof of mouth; sneezing/coughing; and sore throat.
Treatment includes OTC antihistamines (diphenhydramine, loratadine, cetirizine,
fexofenadine), anticholinergic nasal sprays (ipratropium bromide), nasal saline flush
post-exposure, and allergen avoidance .
9. Viral rhinitis (common cold) is most commonly caused by:
A. Influenza virus
B. Respiratory syncytial virus
C. Rhinovirus
D. Parainfluenza virus
Rationale: Viral rhinitis is most commonly caused by rhinovirus, but can also be
caused by adenovirus, parainfluenza virus, or coronavirus. It is spread through
respiratory droplets. Patients typically present with mouth breathing with change in
tone of voice, malaise, occasional fever, and sneezing .
