NR603 CEA Exam | Actual Exam Questions, Answers, Case
Studies & Rationales | Frequently Most Tested Questions and
100% Accurate
Pass your primary care clinical evaluation assessment on your first attempt with this
definitive NR603 CEA final exam preparation bank. This comprehensive study guide
features actual exam-style questions, interactive clinical case studies, 100% verified
correct answers, and thorough diagnostic rationales covering adult-gerontology acute
and chronic illness management, differential diagnoses, and evidence-based treatment
plans. It is the ultimate preparatory tool for family nurse practitioner students looking to
compress study routines, eliminate test anxiety, and secure an A+ grade.
1. A 45-year-old male presents with a 2-week history of depressed mood,
anhedonia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. He reports sleeping 10 hours per
night but still feeling tired. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
screening tool?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. AUDIT
Answer: A
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a 9-item screening tool for depression that assesses the severity of
depressive symptoms. The patient's symptoms of depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and
concentration difficulties are classic depressive symptoms. The GAD-7 screens for anxiety,
CAGE screens for alcohol abuse, and AUDIT is a more comprehensive alcohol screening
tool.
2. A 32-year-old female presents with a 6-month history of excessive worry about
multiple aspects of her life, including work, health, and family. She reports
difficulty controlling the worry, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Specific phobia
Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable
worry about multiple domains for at least 6 months, accompanied by at least 3 of the
following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle
tension, and sleep disturbance. Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks,
social anxiety disorder involves fear of scrutiny, and specific phobia involves fear of a
specific object or situation.
3. A 28-year-old male presents with a 1-year history of recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks. He reports a fear of having another attack and has changed his
behavior to avoid situations where escape might be difficult. Which of the
following is the most appropriate treatment?
A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and SSRI
B. Benzodiazepine monotherapy
C. Antipsychotic monotherapy
D. Tricyclic antidepressant only
Answer: A
Rationale: Panic disorder is effectively treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine). Benzodiazepines may be used but are not first-line due
to dependence risk. Antipsychotics are not first-line for panic disorder. Tricyclics are
effective but have more side effects than SSRIs.
4. A 55-year-old male presents with a 6-month history of persistent, intrusive
thoughts about contamination. He reports spending hours each day washing his
hands and showering to prevent illness. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
,A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
C. Panic disorder
D. Specific phobia
Answer: B
Rationale: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions (intrusive,
unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety).
The patient's contamination obsessions and washing compulsions are classic OCD
symptoms. GAD involves worry about multiple domains, panic disorder involves panic
attacks, and specific phobia involves fear of a specific object.
5. A 30-year-old female presents with a 3-month history of episodes of binge
eating. She reports eating large amounts of food in a short period, feeling a loss of
control during the episodes, and feeling disgusted with herself afterward. She
does not engage in compensatory behaviors. Which of the following is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Anorexia nervosa
B. Bulimia nervosa
C. Binge eating disorder
D. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes
without compensatory behaviors. Anorexia nervosa involves restriction of food intake
leading to significantly low body weight. Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating followed
by compensatory behaviors. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder involves limited food
intake unrelated to body image.
6. A 22-year-old female presents with a 6-month history of restricting her caloric
intake to 500 calories per day. She weighs 95 pounds (BMI 16.8) and expresses an
intense fear of gaining weight despite being underweight. Which of the following
is the most appropriate initial medical workup?
, A. Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and electrocardiogram
B. MRI brain
C. CT of the abdomen
D. Chest X-ray
Answer: A
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa patients require a comprehensive medical workup including
CBC (to assess for anemia), CMP (to assess for electrolyte imbalances, liver and kidney
function), and EKG (to assess for cardiac arrhythmias). MRI, CT, and chest X-ray are not
routine initial studies unless indicated by specific symptoms.
7. A 40-year-old male presents with a 2-year history of progressive memory loss,
difficulty with problem-solving, and personality changes. He has a family history
of early-onset dementia. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
diagnostic step?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. MRI of the brain
C. Genetic testing for APOE4
D. Complete blood count
Answer: A
Rationale: The MMSE is a brief cognitive screening tool that is appropriate for initial
assessment of cognitive impairment. MRI may be indicated but is not the initial step.
Genetic testing is not routine for initial evaluation. CBC may be done but is not the
primary initial step.
8. A 28-year-old male presents with a 1-week history of elevated mood, decreased
need for sleep, rapid speech, and impulsive spending. He reports feeling "on top
of the world" and has started multiple projects. Which of the following is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder, manic episode
Studies & Rationales | Frequently Most Tested Questions and
100% Accurate
Pass your primary care clinical evaluation assessment on your first attempt with this
definitive NR603 CEA final exam preparation bank. This comprehensive study guide
features actual exam-style questions, interactive clinical case studies, 100% verified
correct answers, and thorough diagnostic rationales covering adult-gerontology acute
and chronic illness management, differential diagnoses, and evidence-based treatment
plans. It is the ultimate preparatory tool for family nurse practitioner students looking to
compress study routines, eliminate test anxiety, and secure an A+ grade.
1. A 45-year-old male presents with a 2-week history of depressed mood,
anhedonia, fatigue, and difficulty concentrating. He reports sleeping 10 hours per
night but still feeling tired. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
screening tool?
A. PHQ-9
B. GAD-7
C. CAGE questionnaire
D. AUDIT
Answer: A
Rationale: The PHQ-9 is a 9-item screening tool for depression that assesses the severity of
depressive symptoms. The patient's symptoms of depressed mood, anhedonia, fatigue, and
concentration difficulties are classic depressive symptoms. The GAD-7 screens for anxiety,
CAGE screens for alcohol abuse, and AUDIT is a more comprehensive alcohol screening
tool.
2. A 32-year-old female presents with a 6-month history of excessive worry about
multiple aspects of her life, including work, health, and family. She reports
difficulty controlling the worry, irritability, muscle tension, and sleep disturbance.
Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Panic disorder
B. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)
C. Social anxiety disorder
D. Specific phobia
Answer: B
Rationale: Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is characterized by excessive, uncontrollable
worry about multiple domains for at least 6 months, accompanied by at least 3 of the
following symptoms: restlessness, fatigue, difficulty concentrating, irritability, muscle
tension, and sleep disturbance. Panic disorder involves recurrent unexpected panic attacks,
social anxiety disorder involves fear of scrutiny, and specific phobia involves fear of a
specific object or situation.
3. A 28-year-old male presents with a 1-year history of recurrent, unexpected
panic attacks. He reports a fear of having another attack and has changed his
behavior to avoid situations where escape might be difficult. Which of the
following is the most appropriate treatment?
A. Cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and SSRI
B. Benzodiazepine monotherapy
C. Antipsychotic monotherapy
D. Tricyclic antidepressant only
Answer: A
Rationale: Panic disorder is effectively treated with cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and
SSRIs (e.g., sertraline, paroxetine). Benzodiazepines may be used but are not first-line due
to dependence risk. Antipsychotics are not first-line for panic disorder. Tricyclics are
effective but have more side effects than SSRIs.
4. A 55-year-old male presents with a 6-month history of persistent, intrusive
thoughts about contamination. He reports spending hours each day washing his
hands and showering to prevent illness. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
,A. Generalized anxiety disorder
B. Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD)
C. Panic disorder
D. Specific phobia
Answer: B
Rationale: Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) is characterized by obsessions (intrusive,
unwanted thoughts) and compulsions (repetitive behaviors performed to reduce anxiety).
The patient's contamination obsessions and washing compulsions are classic OCD
symptoms. GAD involves worry about multiple domains, panic disorder involves panic
attacks, and specific phobia involves fear of a specific object.
5. A 30-year-old female presents with a 3-month history of episodes of binge
eating. She reports eating large amounts of food in a short period, feeling a loss of
control during the episodes, and feeling disgusted with herself afterward. She
does not engage in compensatory behaviors. Which of the following is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Anorexia nervosa
B. Bulimia nervosa
C. Binge eating disorder
D. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder
Answer: C
Rationale: Binge eating disorder is characterized by recurrent binge eating episodes
without compensatory behaviors. Anorexia nervosa involves restriction of food intake
leading to significantly low body weight. Bulimia nervosa involves binge eating followed
by compensatory behaviors. Avoidant/restrictive food intake disorder involves limited food
intake unrelated to body image.
6. A 22-year-old female presents with a 6-month history of restricting her caloric
intake to 500 calories per day. She weighs 95 pounds (BMI 16.8) and expresses an
intense fear of gaining weight despite being underweight. Which of the following
is the most appropriate initial medical workup?
, A. Complete blood count, comprehensive metabolic panel, and electrocardiogram
B. MRI brain
C. CT of the abdomen
D. Chest X-ray
Answer: A
Rationale: Anorexia nervosa patients require a comprehensive medical workup including
CBC (to assess for anemia), CMP (to assess for electrolyte imbalances, liver and kidney
function), and EKG (to assess for cardiac arrhythmias). MRI, CT, and chest X-ray are not
routine initial studies unless indicated by specific symptoms.
7. A 40-year-old male presents with a 2-year history of progressive memory loss,
difficulty with problem-solving, and personality changes. He has a family history
of early-onset dementia. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial
diagnostic step?
A. Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE)
B. MRI of the brain
C. Genetic testing for APOE4
D. Complete blood count
Answer: A
Rationale: The MMSE is a brief cognitive screening tool that is appropriate for initial
assessment of cognitive impairment. MRI may be indicated but is not the initial step.
Genetic testing is not routine for initial evaluation. CBC may be done but is not the
primary initial step.
8. A 28-year-old male presents with a 1-week history of elevated mood, decreased
need for sleep, rapid speech, and impulsive spending. He reports feeling "on top
of the world" and has started multiple projects. Which of the following is the most
likely diagnosis?
A. Major depressive disorder
B. Bipolar I disorder, manic episode
