NURS 550 EXAM 2025 QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
A 38-year-old accountant comes to your clinic for evaluation of a headache. The throbbing
sensation is located in the right temporal region and is an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. It started a
few hours ago, and she has noted nausea with sensitivity to light; she has had headaches like
this in the past, usually less than one per week, but not as severe. She does not know of any
inciting factors. There has been no change in the frequency of her headaches. She usually takes
an over-the-counter analgesic and this results in resolution of the headache. Based on this
description, what is the most likely diagnosis of the type of headache? - ANS migraine
Which of the following is a "red flag" regarding patients presenting with headache? -
ANS age over 50
Very sensitive methods for detecting hearing loss include which of the following? -
ANS audiometric testing
A college student presents with a sore throat, fever, and fatigue for several days. You notice
exudates on her enlarged tonsils. You do a careful lymphatic examination and notice some
scattered small, mobile lymph nodes just behind her sternocleidomastoid muscles bilaterally.
What group of nodes is this? - ANS posterior cervical
35 year old archaeologist comes to your office (located in Phoenix, Arizona) for a regular skin
check up. She has just returned from her annual dig site in Greece. She has fair skin and reddish
blonde hair. She has a family history of melanoma. She has many freckles scattered across her
skin. From this description which of the following is NOT a risk factor for melanoma in this
patient? - ANS age
1 Copyright ©2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, You are assessing a patient with joint pain and are trying to decide whether it is inflammatory
or noninflammatory in nature. Which of the following symptoms is consistent with an
inflammatory process? - ANS tenderness
An 85 yo retired housewife comes with her daughter to establish care. Her daughter is
concerned because her mother has started to fall more. As part of her physical examination you
ask her to walk across the exam room. Which of the following is not part of the stance phase of
gait? - ANS foot arched
A high school soccer player "blew out his knee" when the opposing goalie's head and shoulder
struck his flexed knee while the goalie was diving for the ball. All of the following structures
were involved in some way in his injury, but which of the following is actually an extra articular
structure? - ANS tendons
A 19 year old college student, Todd, is brought to your clinic by his mother. She is concerned
that there is something seriously wrong with him. She states for the past 6 months his behavior
has become peculiar and he has flunked out of college. Todd denies any recent illness or
injuries. His past medical history is remarkable only for broken foot. His parents are both
healthy. He has a paternal uncle who had similar symptoms in college. The patient admits to
smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. He also admits to marijuana use but none in the last
week. He denies using any other substances. He denies any feelings of how he is feeling, he says
that he is very worried that Microsoft has stolen his software for creating a better browser. He
tells you he has seen a black van in his neighborhood at night and he is sure that it is full of
computer tech workers stealing his work through special gamma waves. You ask him -
ANS schizophrenia
A 24-year-old secretary comes to your clinic, complaining of difficulty sleeping, severe
nightmares, and irritability. She states it all began 6 months ago when she went to a fast food
restaurant at midnight. While she was waiting in her car a man entered through the passenger
door and put a gun to her head. He had her drive to a remote area, where he took her money
and threatened to kill her. When the gun jammed he panicked and ran off. Ever since this
occurred the patient has been having these symptoms. She states she jumps at every noise and
refuses to drive at night. She states her anxiety has had such a marked influence on her job
performance she is afraid she will be fired. She denies any recent illnesses or injuries. Her past
medical history is unremarkable. On examination you find a nervous woman appearing her
stated age. Her physical examination is unremarkable. You recommend medication and
counseling. What - ANS PTSD
2 Copyright ©2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
ANSWERS
A 38-year-old accountant comes to your clinic for evaluation of a headache. The throbbing
sensation is located in the right temporal region and is an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10. It started a
few hours ago, and she has noted nausea with sensitivity to light; she has had headaches like
this in the past, usually less than one per week, but not as severe. She does not know of any
inciting factors. There has been no change in the frequency of her headaches. She usually takes
an over-the-counter analgesic and this results in resolution of the headache. Based on this
description, what is the most likely diagnosis of the type of headache? - ANS migraine
Which of the following is a "red flag" regarding patients presenting with headache? -
ANS age over 50
Very sensitive methods for detecting hearing loss include which of the following? -
ANS audiometric testing
A college student presents with a sore throat, fever, and fatigue for several days. You notice
exudates on her enlarged tonsils. You do a careful lymphatic examination and notice some
scattered small, mobile lymph nodes just behind her sternocleidomastoid muscles bilaterally.
What group of nodes is this? - ANS posterior cervical
35 year old archaeologist comes to your office (located in Phoenix, Arizona) for a regular skin
check up. She has just returned from her annual dig site in Greece. She has fair skin and reddish
blonde hair. She has a family history of melanoma. She has many freckles scattered across her
skin. From this description which of the following is NOT a risk factor for melanoma in this
patient? - ANS age
1 Copyright ©2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
, You are assessing a patient with joint pain and are trying to decide whether it is inflammatory
or noninflammatory in nature. Which of the following symptoms is consistent with an
inflammatory process? - ANS tenderness
An 85 yo retired housewife comes with her daughter to establish care. Her daughter is
concerned because her mother has started to fall more. As part of her physical examination you
ask her to walk across the exam room. Which of the following is not part of the stance phase of
gait? - ANS foot arched
A high school soccer player "blew out his knee" when the opposing goalie's head and shoulder
struck his flexed knee while the goalie was diving for the ball. All of the following structures
were involved in some way in his injury, but which of the following is actually an extra articular
structure? - ANS tendons
A 19 year old college student, Todd, is brought to your clinic by his mother. She is concerned
that there is something seriously wrong with him. She states for the past 6 months his behavior
has become peculiar and he has flunked out of college. Todd denies any recent illness or
injuries. His past medical history is remarkable only for broken foot. His parents are both
healthy. He has a paternal uncle who had similar symptoms in college. The patient admits to
smoking cigarettes and drinking alcohol. He also admits to marijuana use but none in the last
week. He denies using any other substances. He denies any feelings of how he is feeling, he says
that he is very worried that Microsoft has stolen his software for creating a better browser. He
tells you he has seen a black van in his neighborhood at night and he is sure that it is full of
computer tech workers stealing his work through special gamma waves. You ask him -
ANS schizophrenia
A 24-year-old secretary comes to your clinic, complaining of difficulty sleeping, severe
nightmares, and irritability. She states it all began 6 months ago when she went to a fast food
restaurant at midnight. While she was waiting in her car a man entered through the passenger
door and put a gun to her head. He had her drive to a remote area, where he took her money
and threatened to kill her. When the gun jammed he panicked and ran off. Ever since this
occurred the patient has been having these symptoms. She states she jumps at every noise and
refuses to drive at night. She states her anxiety has had such a marked influence on her job
performance she is afraid she will be fired. She denies any recent illnesses or injuries. Her past
medical history is unremarkable. On examination you find a nervous woman appearing her
stated age. Her physical examination is unremarkable. You recommend medication and
counseling. What - ANS PTSD
2 Copyright ©2025 BRAINBARTER ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
