NR 511 CEA Exam Questions and Correct
Answers plus Rationales | Latest Update
2026-2027 | Graded A+
Primary Care, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology & Diagnostics
1. Your 22-year-old male patient states during his review of systems that his
scrotum is very enlarged and feels like it is full. He is a powerlifter and works as
a trash collector. You suspect the patient likely has which diagnosis?
• A. Varicocele
• B. Meningocele
• C. Rectocele
• D. Hydrocele
Correct Answer: A — Varicocele
Rationale: Varicocele is a dilation of the pampiniform plexus, often described as a
“bag of worms.” Increased intra-abdominal pressure from heavy lifting or straining
can exacerbate it.
2. The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is most often palpable in healthy adults
when positioned supine or in left lateral decubitus. Which location is most
commonly described as the PMI?
• A. Left 2nd intercostal space, midaxillary line
• B. Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
• C. Right 4th intercostal space, midaxillary line
• D. Right 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
Correct Answer: B — Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
,Rationale: The PMI corresponds to the apex of the heart and is normally located
at the left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
3. A 40-year-old African American female presents for history and physical. You
notice severe exophthalmos. Which diagnosis is highest on your differential?
• A. Bilateral conjunctivitis
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Hypothyroidism
• D. Myxedema
Correct Answer: B — Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) is classically associated with Graves’
disease/hyperthyroidism.
4. A patient with suspected COPD undergoes pulmonary function testing. The
large inspiration of air to the furthest extent followed by a full exhalation is
referred to as which measurement?
• A. Forced Expiratory Volume over 1 second (FEV1)
• B. Functional Reserve Capacity
• C. Inspiratory Reserve
• D. Forced Vital Capacity
Correct Answer: D — Forced Vital Capacity
Rationale: Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the maximum amount of air forcefully
exhaled after a maximal inspiration.
5. Your patient has a diagnosis of Addison’s disease. Which of the following
might you expect to find during examination?
, • A. Abdominal striae
• B. Dowager hump
• C. Low body temperature
• D. Moon face
Correct Answer: C — Low body temperature
Rationale: Addison’s disease causes cortisol and aldosterone deficiency, leading to
hypotension, hyperpigmentation, salt craving, fatigue, and low body temperature.
Dowager hump, moon face, and striae are seen in Cushing’s syndrome.
6. The nurse practitioner’s evaluation of a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
should include which of the following while evaluating for end-organ
dysfunction?
• A. Renal function panel
• B. Urinalysis
• C. Non-dilated eye exam
• D. All of these are appropriate options
Correct Answer: D — All of these are appropriate options
Rationale: End-organ damage in diabetes includes nephropathy, retinopathy, and
neuropathy. Renal function, urinalysis, and eye exams are all appropriate.
7. During a visit with a 19-year-old patient, your health history includes a
diagnosis of angioedema. Which parts of the body were likely involved?
• A. Isolated to the colon
• B. Anywhere in the enteral tract
• C. Chest
• D. Face and lips
, Correct Answer: D — Face and lips
Rationale: Angioedema commonly affects the face, lips, tongue, and periorbital
areas.
8. Which dermatologic lesion is precancerous and likely due to prolonged
exposure to UV-B?
• A. Actinic Keratosis
• B. Basal cell carcinoma
• C. Verruca
• D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Correct Answer: A — Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis is a precancerous lesion caused by chronic UV
exposure and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
9. Based on your evaluation of ABCDE for melanoma, which finding represents a
suspicious finding?
• A. Irregular borders
• B. Symmetrical nature
• C. Brown color
• D. Diameter of 0.4 cm
Correct Answer: A — Irregular borders
Rationale: The “B” in ABCDE stands for border irregularity, which is suspicious for
melanoma.
Answers plus Rationales | Latest Update
2026-2027 | Graded A+
Primary Care, Pathophysiology, Pharmacology & Diagnostics
1. Your 22-year-old male patient states during his review of systems that his
scrotum is very enlarged and feels like it is full. He is a powerlifter and works as
a trash collector. You suspect the patient likely has which diagnosis?
• A. Varicocele
• B. Meningocele
• C. Rectocele
• D. Hydrocele
Correct Answer: A — Varicocele
Rationale: Varicocele is a dilation of the pampiniform plexus, often described as a
“bag of worms.” Increased intra-abdominal pressure from heavy lifting or straining
can exacerbate it.
2. The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is most often palpable in healthy adults
when positioned supine or in left lateral decubitus. Which location is most
commonly described as the PMI?
• A. Left 2nd intercostal space, midaxillary line
• B. Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
• C. Right 4th intercostal space, midaxillary line
• D. Right 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line
Correct Answer: B — Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
,Rationale: The PMI corresponds to the apex of the heart and is normally located
at the left 5th intercostal space at the midclavicular line.
3. A 40-year-old African American female presents for history and physical. You
notice severe exophthalmos. Which diagnosis is highest on your differential?
• A. Bilateral conjunctivitis
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Hypothyroidism
• D. Myxedema
Correct Answer: B — Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Exophthalmos (bulging eyes) is classically associated with Graves’
disease/hyperthyroidism.
4. A patient with suspected COPD undergoes pulmonary function testing. The
large inspiration of air to the furthest extent followed by a full exhalation is
referred to as which measurement?
• A. Forced Expiratory Volume over 1 second (FEV1)
• B. Functional Reserve Capacity
• C. Inspiratory Reserve
• D. Forced Vital Capacity
Correct Answer: D — Forced Vital Capacity
Rationale: Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the maximum amount of air forcefully
exhaled after a maximal inspiration.
5. Your patient has a diagnosis of Addison’s disease. Which of the following
might you expect to find during examination?
, • A. Abdominal striae
• B. Dowager hump
• C. Low body temperature
• D. Moon face
Correct Answer: C — Low body temperature
Rationale: Addison’s disease causes cortisol and aldosterone deficiency, leading to
hypotension, hyperpigmentation, salt craving, fatigue, and low body temperature.
Dowager hump, moon face, and striae are seen in Cushing’s syndrome.
6. The nurse practitioner’s evaluation of a patient with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
should include which of the following while evaluating for end-organ
dysfunction?
• A. Renal function panel
• B. Urinalysis
• C. Non-dilated eye exam
• D. All of these are appropriate options
Correct Answer: D — All of these are appropriate options
Rationale: End-organ damage in diabetes includes nephropathy, retinopathy, and
neuropathy. Renal function, urinalysis, and eye exams are all appropriate.
7. During a visit with a 19-year-old patient, your health history includes a
diagnosis of angioedema. Which parts of the body were likely involved?
• A. Isolated to the colon
• B. Anywhere in the enteral tract
• C. Chest
• D. Face and lips
, Correct Answer: D — Face and lips
Rationale: Angioedema commonly affects the face, lips, tongue, and periorbital
areas.
8. Which dermatologic lesion is precancerous and likely due to prolonged
exposure to UV-B?
• A. Actinic Keratosis
• B. Basal cell carcinoma
• C. Verruca
• D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Correct Answer: A — Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis is a precancerous lesion caused by chronic UV
exposure and can progress to squamous cell carcinoma.
9. Based on your evaluation of ABCDE for melanoma, which finding represents a
suspicious finding?
• A. Irregular borders
• B. Symmetrical nature
• C. Brown color
• D. Diameter of 0.4 cm
Correct Answer: A — Irregular borders
Rationale: The “B” in ABCDE stands for border irregularity, which is suspicious for
melanoma.
