WILKES UNIVERSITY
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner
NSG 550 Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners 2026/2027
Diagnostics Exam 1 NCLEX
Question 1
What is a renal scan?
A. A procedure in which a radioactive isotope (tracer) is injected intravenously, and the
radioactivity over each kidney is measured as the tracer passes through the kidney; looks
at renal tubular function, renal hypertension, renal artery stenosis, obstruction, and
transplant perfusion
B. An X-ray of the renal pelvis to look for stones and tumors
C. An ultrasound of the kidneys
D. A blood test for renal function
Correct Answer:
A. A procedure in which a radioactive isotope (tracer) is injected intravenously, and
the radioactivity over each kidney is measured as the tracer passes through the
kidney; looks at renal tubular function, renal hypertension, renal artery stenosis,
obstruction, and transplant perfusion
RATIONALE
Renal scintigraphy uses radiotracers to evaluate kidney function, perfusion, and obstruction,
and is useful in transplant assessment.
, Question 2
What does High T4 indicate?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Secondary hypothyroidism
D. Normal thyroid function
Correct Answer: A. Hyperthyroidism
RATIONALE
Elevated T4 indicates hyperthyroidism, which can be primary (Graves' disease) or secondary to
excess TSH.
Question 3
What is a highly sensitive test?
A. A screening test that indicates a true positive test result for a large proportion of patients
with the disease
B. A screening test that indicates a true-negative test result for a large proportion of patients
without the disease
C. Ability to yield same results on multiple trials
D. Does the test measure what it is designed to measure
Correct Answer:
A. A screening test that indicates a true positive test result for a large proportion of
patients with the disease
RATIONALE
A highly sensitive test correctly identifies those with the disease (true positives), minimizing
false negatives.
, Question 4
What is the precision of a test?
A. Ability of the test to yield the same results on multiple trials using the same sample
(repeatability)
B. Does the test measure what it is designed to measure
C. The ability to determine who has the disease
D. The ability to determine who does NOT have the disease
Correct Answer:
A. Ability of the test to yield the same results on multiple trials using the same
sample (repeatability)
RATIONALE
Precision, also known as repeatability, refers to the ability of a test to produce consistent
results when repeated on the same sample under the same conditions.
Question 5
What are Basophils?
A. A circulating leukocyte that produces histamine
B. A WBC that fights bacterial infections
C. A WBC that fights viral infections
D. A WBC that produces antibodies
Correct Answer: A. A circulating leukocyte that produces histamine
RATIONALE
Basophils are granulocytes that release histamine and play a role in allergic and inflammatory
responses.
, Question 6
What is the gold standard for reproductive organs?
A. Ultrasounds
B. CT scans
C. MRI
D. X-rays
Correct Answer: A. Ultrasounds
RATIONALE
Ultrasound is the gold standard imaging modality for evaluating reproductive organs,
including pelvic and scrotal structures.
Question 7
What is ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and what does it do?
A. Stimulates adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol); response to stress, fights
infection, regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism
B. Stimulates thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
C. Influences the absorption of water by kidney tubules
D. Stimulates milk production
Correct Answer:
A. Stimulates adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol); response to stress,
fights infection, regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism
RATIONALE
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol, which helps the body respond to stress,
fight infection, and regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner
NSG 550 Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners 2026/2027
Diagnostics Exam 1 NCLEX
Question 1
What is a renal scan?
A. A procedure in which a radioactive isotope (tracer) is injected intravenously, and the
radioactivity over each kidney is measured as the tracer passes through the kidney; looks
at renal tubular function, renal hypertension, renal artery stenosis, obstruction, and
transplant perfusion
B. An X-ray of the renal pelvis to look for stones and tumors
C. An ultrasound of the kidneys
D. A blood test for renal function
Correct Answer:
A. A procedure in which a radioactive isotope (tracer) is injected intravenously, and
the radioactivity over each kidney is measured as the tracer passes through the
kidney; looks at renal tubular function, renal hypertension, renal artery stenosis,
obstruction, and transplant perfusion
RATIONALE
Renal scintigraphy uses radiotracers to evaluate kidney function, perfusion, and obstruction,
and is useful in transplant assessment.
, Question 2
What does High T4 indicate?
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Secondary hypothyroidism
D. Normal thyroid function
Correct Answer: A. Hyperthyroidism
RATIONALE
Elevated T4 indicates hyperthyroidism, which can be primary (Graves' disease) or secondary to
excess TSH.
Question 3
What is a highly sensitive test?
A. A screening test that indicates a true positive test result for a large proportion of patients
with the disease
B. A screening test that indicates a true-negative test result for a large proportion of patients
without the disease
C. Ability to yield same results on multiple trials
D. Does the test measure what it is designed to measure
Correct Answer:
A. A screening test that indicates a true positive test result for a large proportion of
patients with the disease
RATIONALE
A highly sensitive test correctly identifies those with the disease (true positives), minimizing
false negatives.
, Question 4
What is the precision of a test?
A. Ability of the test to yield the same results on multiple trials using the same sample
(repeatability)
B. Does the test measure what it is designed to measure
C. The ability to determine who has the disease
D. The ability to determine who does NOT have the disease
Correct Answer:
A. Ability of the test to yield the same results on multiple trials using the same
sample (repeatability)
RATIONALE
Precision, also known as repeatability, refers to the ability of a test to produce consistent
results when repeated on the same sample under the same conditions.
Question 5
What are Basophils?
A. A circulating leukocyte that produces histamine
B. A WBC that fights bacterial infections
C. A WBC that fights viral infections
D. A WBC that produces antibodies
Correct Answer: A. A circulating leukocyte that produces histamine
RATIONALE
Basophils are granulocytes that release histamine and play a role in allergic and inflammatory
responses.
, Question 6
What is the gold standard for reproductive organs?
A. Ultrasounds
B. CT scans
C. MRI
D. X-rays
Correct Answer: A. Ultrasounds
RATIONALE
Ultrasound is the gold standard imaging modality for evaluating reproductive organs,
including pelvic and scrotal structures.
Question 7
What is ACTH (adrenocorticotropic hormone) and what does it do?
A. Stimulates adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol); response to stress, fights
infection, regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism
B. Stimulates thyroid gland to produce thyroid hormones
C. Influences the absorption of water by kidney tubules
D. Stimulates milk production
Correct Answer:
A. Stimulates adrenal cortex to release glucocorticoids (cortisol); response to stress,
fights infection, regulates blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism
RATIONALE
ACTH stimulates the adrenal cortex to release cortisol, which helps the body respond to stress,
fight infection, and regulate blood sugar, blood pressure, and metabolism.
