NR 547 CEA EXAM 2026 - CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY COMPREHENSIVE
EXAM ASSESSMENT -A MASTERPIECE STRUCTURED WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED RESPONSES<YOUR SURE TICKET TO
SUCCESS!!>
1. Evidence-Based Practice
Which of the following best describes the first step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A. Appraising the evidence
B. Formulating a clinical question
C. Integrating evidence with clinical expertise
D. Disseminating findings
Correct Answer: B. Formulating a clinical question
Rationale: The first step in EBP is to formulate a clear, answerable clinical question using frameworks
such as PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
2. Research Appraisal
When reviewing quantitative research, which element primarily determines the strength of causal
inference?
A. Sample size
B. Research design
C. Data collection tools
D. Statistical tests used
Correct Answer: B. Research design
Rationale: The research design (e.g., randomized controlled trial) determines how well cause-and-effect
relationships can be inferred.
3. Leadership in Nursing
A DNP-prepared nurse leading a quality improvement project demonstrates transformational leadership
primarily by:
A. Focusing on transactional rewards and punishments
B. Directing staff with strict adherence to policy
C. Inspiring a shared vision and motivating others toward change
D. Delegating tasks without providing rationale
Correct Answer: C. Inspiring a shared vision and motivating others toward change
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, motivate, and empower staff to achieve collective goals.
4. Ethics and Professional Practice
A nurse researcher discovers data fabrication by a fellow investigator. What is the nurse’s ethical
obligation?
,A. Ignore it to maintain team harmony
B. Report the misconduct following institutional policy
C. Confront the individual privately and take no further action
D. Delete questionable data to avoid external review
Correct Answer: B. Report the misconduct following institutional policy
Rationale: Ethical nursing research mandates integrity; professional guidelines require reporting
unethical or fraudulent research behaviors.
5. Healthcare Systems and Policy
Which federal initiative is most directly aimed at improving patient outcomes through coordinated, high-
quality care?
A. HIPAA
B. ACA (Affordable Care Act)
C. OSHA
D. EMTALA
Correct Answer: B. ACA (Affordable Care Act)
Rationale: The ACA promotes cost-effective, patient-centered care and supports evidence-based quality
improvement.
6. Pharmacology and Safety
A patient prescribed digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision. What should the nurse do first?
A. Instruct the patient to continue as prescribed
B. Document as a minor side effect
C. Check the patient’s serum potassium and digoxin levels
D. Double the next dose to maintain therapeutic levels
Correct Answer: C. Check the patient’s serum potassium and digoxin levels
Rationale: Symptoms suggest digoxin toxicity; verifying lab levels ensures safe management.
7. Pathophysiology
Which of the following best explains the compensatory mechanism in chronic heart failure?
A. Increased renal perfusion decreases fluid retention
B. Baroreceptor activation leads to vasodilation
C. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation increases preload and afterload
D. Decreased sympathetic output stabilizes cardiac workload
Correct Answer: C. RAAS activation increases preload and afterload
Rationale: In heart failure, RAAS activation initially supports perfusion but eventually worsens cardiac
workload.
8. Informatics and Data Management
The primary purpose of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) is to:
A. Replace clinical judgment
B. Provide diagnostic outcomes automatically
,C. Enhance decision-making through evidence-based recommendations
D. Restrict access to patient records
Correct Answer: C. Enhance decision-making through evidence-based recommendations
Rationale: CDSS tools assist, not replace, clinical reasoning and improve patient safety by reducing
errors.
9. Quality Improvement
The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle is used to:
A. Collect baseline data before clinical trials
B. Guide iterative quality improvement projects
C. Replace the nursing process for clinical care
D. Evaluate long-term research outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Guide iterative quality improvement projects
Rationale: PDSA cycles promote continuous improvement through small, rapid changes based on testing
and assessment.
10. Population Health
Which strategy best demonstrates the role of advanced practice nurses in improving community health
outcomes?
A. Limiting health promotion to hospital settings
B. Advocating for policies addressing social determinants of health
C. Reducing patient education to direct care tasks
D. Delegating outreach initiatives to unlicensed personnel
Correct Answer: B. Advocating for policies addressing social determinants of health
Rationale: APRNs contribute to public health through advocacy, policy engagement, and addressing
systemic health inequities.
11. Cardiovascular Assessment & Management
Question:
A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with chest discomfort
radiating to the left arm. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which of the
following is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Administer IV furosemide
B. Initiate thrombolytic therapy
C. Begin high-dose statin therapy
D. Administer oral beta-blocker
Answer: B. Initiate thrombolytic therapy
Rationale:
ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior myocardial infarction. Immediate reperfusion
therapy is critical. If PCI is not available within 90 minutes, thrombolytics are indicated. Diuretics and
statins are supportive but not emergent. Beta-blockers may be used cautiously but not before stabilization.
, 12. Diabetes Management
Question:
A patient with type 2 diabetes has an HbA1c of 9.2% despite metformin therapy. What is the most
appropriate next step?
A. Discontinue metformin
B. Add a second oral agent or GLP-1 agonist
C. Initiate insulin immediately in all cases
D. Recommend lifestyle changes only
Answer: B. Add a second oral agent or GLP-1 agonist
Rationale:
An HbA1c >9% suggests poor control. Combination therapy is recommended. Insulin may be needed but
is not always first unless severe hyperglycemia or symptoms exist. Lifestyle changes alone are
insufficient at this stage.
13. Respiratory Disorders
Question:
A patient with COPD presents with worsening dyspnea and productive cough. ABG shows respiratory
acidosis. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Initiate bronchodilator therapy
C. Restrict fluids
D. Provide sedatives
Answer: B. Initiate bronchodilator therapy
Rationale:
Bronchodilators relieve airway obstruction. High-flow oxygen can suppress respiratory drive in COPD
patients. Sedatives worsen respiratory depression.
14. Renal Function
Question:
Which lab finding is most indicative of acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Decreased creatinine
B. Increased urine output
C. Elevated serum creatinine
D. Low potassium
Answer: C. Elevated serum creatinine
EXAM ASSESSMENT -A MASTERPIECE STRUCTURED WITH VERIFIED
QUESTIONS AND DETAILED RESPONSES<YOUR SURE TICKET TO
SUCCESS!!>
1. Evidence-Based Practice
Which of the following best describes the first step in the evidence-based practice (EBP) process?
A. Appraising the evidence
B. Formulating a clinical question
C. Integrating evidence with clinical expertise
D. Disseminating findings
Correct Answer: B. Formulating a clinical question
Rationale: The first step in EBP is to formulate a clear, answerable clinical question using frameworks
such as PICO (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome).
2. Research Appraisal
When reviewing quantitative research, which element primarily determines the strength of causal
inference?
A. Sample size
B. Research design
C. Data collection tools
D. Statistical tests used
Correct Answer: B. Research design
Rationale: The research design (e.g., randomized controlled trial) determines how well cause-and-effect
relationships can be inferred.
3. Leadership in Nursing
A DNP-prepared nurse leading a quality improvement project demonstrates transformational leadership
primarily by:
A. Focusing on transactional rewards and punishments
B. Directing staff with strict adherence to policy
C. Inspiring a shared vision and motivating others toward change
D. Delegating tasks without providing rationale
Correct Answer: C. Inspiring a shared vision and motivating others toward change
Rationale: Transformational leaders inspire, motivate, and empower staff to achieve collective goals.
4. Ethics and Professional Practice
A nurse researcher discovers data fabrication by a fellow investigator. What is the nurse’s ethical
obligation?
,A. Ignore it to maintain team harmony
B. Report the misconduct following institutional policy
C. Confront the individual privately and take no further action
D. Delete questionable data to avoid external review
Correct Answer: B. Report the misconduct following institutional policy
Rationale: Ethical nursing research mandates integrity; professional guidelines require reporting
unethical or fraudulent research behaviors.
5. Healthcare Systems and Policy
Which federal initiative is most directly aimed at improving patient outcomes through coordinated, high-
quality care?
A. HIPAA
B. ACA (Affordable Care Act)
C. OSHA
D. EMTALA
Correct Answer: B. ACA (Affordable Care Act)
Rationale: The ACA promotes cost-effective, patient-centered care and supports evidence-based quality
improvement.
6. Pharmacology and Safety
A patient prescribed digoxin reports nausea and blurred vision. What should the nurse do first?
A. Instruct the patient to continue as prescribed
B. Document as a minor side effect
C. Check the patient’s serum potassium and digoxin levels
D. Double the next dose to maintain therapeutic levels
Correct Answer: C. Check the patient’s serum potassium and digoxin levels
Rationale: Symptoms suggest digoxin toxicity; verifying lab levels ensures safe management.
7. Pathophysiology
Which of the following best explains the compensatory mechanism in chronic heart failure?
A. Increased renal perfusion decreases fluid retention
B. Baroreceptor activation leads to vasodilation
C. The renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system (RAAS) activation increases preload and afterload
D. Decreased sympathetic output stabilizes cardiac workload
Correct Answer: C. RAAS activation increases preload and afterload
Rationale: In heart failure, RAAS activation initially supports perfusion but eventually worsens cardiac
workload.
8. Informatics and Data Management
The primary purpose of a clinical decision support system (CDSS) is to:
A. Replace clinical judgment
B. Provide diagnostic outcomes automatically
,C. Enhance decision-making through evidence-based recommendations
D. Restrict access to patient records
Correct Answer: C. Enhance decision-making through evidence-based recommendations
Rationale: CDSS tools assist, not replace, clinical reasoning and improve patient safety by reducing
errors.
9. Quality Improvement
The PDSA (Plan-Do-Study-Act) cycle is used to:
A. Collect baseline data before clinical trials
B. Guide iterative quality improvement projects
C. Replace the nursing process for clinical care
D. Evaluate long-term research outcomes
Correct Answer: B. Guide iterative quality improvement projects
Rationale: PDSA cycles promote continuous improvement through small, rapid changes based on testing
and assessment.
10. Population Health
Which strategy best demonstrates the role of advanced practice nurses in improving community health
outcomes?
A. Limiting health promotion to hospital settings
B. Advocating for policies addressing social determinants of health
C. Reducing patient education to direct care tasks
D. Delegating outreach initiatives to unlicensed personnel
Correct Answer: B. Advocating for policies addressing social determinants of health
Rationale: APRNs contribute to public health through advocacy, policy engagement, and addressing
systemic health inequities.
11. Cardiovascular Assessment & Management
Question:
A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with chest discomfort
radiating to the left arm. His ECG shows ST-segment elevation in leads II, III, and aVF. Which of the
following is the most appropriate immediate intervention?
A. Administer IV furosemide
B. Initiate thrombolytic therapy
C. Begin high-dose statin therapy
D. Administer oral beta-blocker
Answer: B. Initiate thrombolytic therapy
Rationale:
ST elevation in leads II, III, and aVF indicates an inferior myocardial infarction. Immediate reperfusion
therapy is critical. If PCI is not available within 90 minutes, thrombolytics are indicated. Diuretics and
statins are supportive but not emergent. Beta-blockers may be used cautiously but not before stabilization.
, 12. Diabetes Management
Question:
A patient with type 2 diabetes has an HbA1c of 9.2% despite metformin therapy. What is the most
appropriate next step?
A. Discontinue metformin
B. Add a second oral agent or GLP-1 agonist
C. Initiate insulin immediately in all cases
D. Recommend lifestyle changes only
Answer: B. Add a second oral agent or GLP-1 agonist
Rationale:
An HbA1c >9% suggests poor control. Combination therapy is recommended. Insulin may be needed but
is not always first unless severe hyperglycemia or symptoms exist. Lifestyle changes alone are
insufficient at this stage.
13. Respiratory Disorders
Question:
A patient with COPD presents with worsening dyspnea and productive cough. ABG shows respiratory
acidosis. What is the priority intervention?
A. Administer high-flow oxygen
B. Initiate bronchodilator therapy
C. Restrict fluids
D. Provide sedatives
Answer: B. Initiate bronchodilator therapy
Rationale:
Bronchodilators relieve airway obstruction. High-flow oxygen can suppress respiratory drive in COPD
patients. Sedatives worsen respiratory depression.
14. Renal Function
Question:
Which lab finding is most indicative of acute kidney injury (AKI)?
A. Decreased creatinine
B. Increased urine output
C. Elevated serum creatinine
D. Low potassium
Answer: C. Elevated serum creatinine
