CEA PRECLINICAL EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
YourA222-year-
oldA2maleA2patientA2statesA2duringA2hisA2reviewA2ofA2systemsA2thatA2hisA2scrotumA2isA2very
A2enlargedA2andA2feelsA2likeA2itA2isA2fullA2ofA2aA2powerlifterA2andA2worksA2asA2aA2trashA2coll
ector.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnosesA2doA2youA2suspectA2theA2patientA2likelyA2has
?A2-A2Ans--A2Varicocele
TheA2pointA2ofA2maximumA2impulseA2(PMI)A2isA2MOSTA2oftenA2palpableA2inA2healthyA2adu
ltsA2whenA2positionedA2inA2theA2supineA2orA2leftA2lateralA2decubitusA2position.A2WhichA2on
eA2ofA2theA2followingA2locationsA2isA2mostA2commonlyA2describedA2asA2theA2PMIA2inA2aA2h
ealthyA2adult?A2-A2Ans--A2LeftA25thA2intercostalA2spaceA2midclavicularA2line
AA240-year-
oldA2female,A2AfricanA2AmericanA2patientA2presentsA2forA2historyA2andA2physical.A2UponA2
yourA2initialA2assessment,A2youA2noticeA2sheA2hasA2severeA2exophthalmosA2asA2picturedA
2below.A2WhichA2oneA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnosesA2belowA2wouldA2beA2theA2highestA2on
A2yourA2differentialA2diagnosisA2ofA2thisA2physicalA2examinationA2finding?A2-A2Ans--
A2Hyperthyroidism
YourA2patientA2withA2aA2suspectedA2diagnosisA2ofA2COPDA2hasA2beenA2seenA2byA2pulmon
ologyA2andA2hasA2undergoneA2aA2pulmonaryA2functionA2testA2(PFT)A2withA2spirometry.A2A
sA2theA2patient'sA2primaryA2healthcareA2provider,A2youA2haveA2beenA2askedA2toA2explainA2t
heA2findingsA2ofA2theA2PFTA2toA2theA2patientA2inA2aA2follow-
upA2visit,A2atA2whichA2timeA2theA2patientA2asksA2whatA2theA2studyA2wasA2evaluating.A2ToA2
describeA2theA2PFTA2toA2theA2patientA2inA2moreA2usefulA2terms,A2youA2stateA2thatA2theA2lar
geA2inspirationA2ofA2airA2toA2theA2furthestA2extentA2theyA2couldA2reasonablyA2accomplish,A2
followedA2byA2aA2fullA2exhalation,A2isA2referredA2toA2asA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2measur
ementsA2duringA2theA2PFT?A2-A2Ans--A2ForcedA2vitalA2capacity
YourA2patientA2hasA2aA2diagnosisA2ofA2Addison'sA2disease.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2mi
ghtA2youA2expectA2toA2findA2duringA2anA2examination?A2-A2Ans--A2LowA2bodyA2temperature
TheA2nurseA2practitioner'sA2evaluationA2ofA2aA2patientA2withA2DiabetesA2MellitusA2typeA22A2
shouldA2includeA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2whileA2evaluatingA2forA2end-
organA2dysfunctionA2ofA2theA2disease?A2-A2Ans--A2RenalA2functionA2panel
Urinalysis
Non-dilatedA2eyeA2exam
DA2-AllA2ofA2theseA2areA2appropriateA2options
DuringA2yourA2visitA2withA2aA219-year-
oldA2patientA2forA2aA2collegeA2healthA2physical,A2yourA2healthA2historyA2includesA2aA2diagn
osisA2ofA2angioedema.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2partsA2ofA2theA2bodyA2wasA2likelyA2inv
olved?A2-A2Ans--A2FaceA2andA2lips
,WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2dermatologicA2lesionsA2isA2precancerousA2andA2likelyA2dueA2to
A2prolongedA2exposureA2toA2UV-B?A2-A2Ans--A2ActinicA2keratosis
BasedA2onA2yourA2evaluationA2ofA2ABCDEA2forA2melanoma,A2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2re
presentsA2aA2suspiciousA2finding?A2-A2Ans--A2IrregularA2borders
YourA2patientA2isA2complainingA2ofA2hypersomnia,A2lackA2ofA2motivation,A2weightA2gain,A2a
ndA2anhedonia.A2SuspectingA2aA2diagnosisA2ofA2clinicalA2depression,A2youA2anticipateA2th
eA2patientA2willA2benefitA2fromA2treatingA2theirA2underlyingA2deficitA2ofA2whichA2ofA2theA2foll
owingA2neurotransmitters?A2-A2Ans--A2Serotonin
AsA2aA2prudentA2nurseA2practitioner,A2theA2diabetic,A2hypertensiveA2patientA2youA2areA2se
eingA2shouldA2beA2evaluatedA2forA2earlyA2evidenceA2ofA2renalA2damageA2fromA2bothA2diab
etesA2andA2hypertension.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2assessmentA2toolsA2shouldA2theA2n
urseA2practitionerA2orderA2firstA2forA2theA2evaluationA2ofA2earlyA2renalA2dysfunctionA2secon
daryA2toA2diabetesA2orA2hypertension?A2-A2Ans--A2UrinalysisA2withA2micro/macroA2albumin
WhileA2evaluatingA2aA2patientA2inA2yourA2clinicA2forA2aA2routineA2healthA2visit,A2youA2auscul
tateA2cracklesA2inA2theA2posterolateralA2leftA2lowerA2lobeA2andA2haveA2theA2patientA2cough.
A2Follow-
upA2auscultationA2revealsA2clearA2breathA2sounds.A2WhichA2oneA2ofA2theA2followingA2woul
dA2youA2suspect?A2-A2Ans--A2Atelectasis-
A2conditionA2whereA2oneA2orA2moreA2areasA2ofA2theA2lungsA2collapseA2orA2don'tA2inflateA2pr
operly,A2leadingA2toA2reducedA2oxygenA2levelsA2inA2theA2blood
YourA239-year-
oldA2patient,A2whoA2hasA2recentlyA2beenA2hospitalizedA2forA2anA2appendectomy,A2isA2bein
gA2seenA2inA2yourA2clinicA2forA2post-operativeA2follow-
upA2withA2primaryA2care.A2OnA2assessment,A2theA2patientA2complainsA2ofA2someA2incision
alA2pain,A2andA2otherwiseA2examinationA2isA2standard,A2withA2theA2exceptionA2ofA2dullA2pe
rcussionA2soundsA2notedA2onA2theA2thoraxA2overA2lungA2tissue.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2following
A2diagnosesA2wouldA2beA2explainedA2byA2thisA2findingA2inA2aA2post-operativeA2patient?A2-
A2Ans--A2Atelectasis
YouA2areA2evaluatingA2aA241-year-
oldA2femaleA2patientA2inA2yourA2clinicA2withA2symptomsA2ofA2rightA2upperA2quadrantA2painA
2thatA2worsensA2withA2deepA2breathing.A2TheA2patientA2exhibitsA2aA2positiveA2MurphyA2sig
n.A2TheseA2findingsA2areA2mostA2consistentA2withA2whichA2oneA2ofA2theA2following?A2-
A2Ans--A2Cholecystitis-A2inflammationA2ofA2theA2gallbladder
InA2educatingA2yourA2patientA2aboutA2theA2non-
pharmacologicA2managementA2ofA2gastroesophagealA2refluxA2disease,A2youA2includeA2te
achingA2toA2theA2patientA2thatA2theirA2heartburnA2isA2aggravatedA2byA2alA2ofA2theA2followin
gA2exceptA2whichA2one?A2-A2Ans--
A2GastricA2dumping,A2orA2increasedA2emptyingA2intoA2theA2smallA2intestines
, TheA2patientA2isA2experiencingA2acuteA2closedA2angleA2glaucoma.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2follow
ingA2examinationA2findingsA2byA2theA2nurseA2practitionerA2isA2mostA2consistentA2withA2thei
rA2diagnosis?A2-A2Ans--A2IncreaseA2inA2intraocularA2pressure
WhileA2managingA2theA2careA2ofA2theA2patientA2withA2chronicA2alcoholism,A2theA2nurseA2pr
actitionerA2wouldA2likelyA2anticipateA2whichA2findingsA2onA2theA2CBCA2withA2differential?A2-
A2Ans--A2ElevatedA2MCVA2andA2MCH
MCV-A2MeasuresA2theA2averageA2sizeA2orA2volumeA2ofA2RBC
MCH-A2measureA2theA2averageA2amountA2ofA2HBGA2inA2aA2singleA2redA2bloodA2cell
TheA2nurseA2practitionerA2isA2caringA2forA2aA2patientA2withA2anA2elevatedA2WBC,A2fever,A2c
hills,A2andA2malaise.A2WhenA2developingA2aA2differentialA2diagnosisA2forA2thisA2finding,A2w
hichA2ofA2theA2followingA2isA2notA2aA2potentialA2causeA2ofA2theA2elevatedA2WBC?A2-A2Ans--
A2DiabetesA2MellitusA2TypeA22
YourA221-year-
oldA2sexuallyA2activeA2femaleA2patientA2statesA2duringA2aA2routineA2healthA2examA2thatA2th
eyA2haveA2someA2"weirdA2bumps"A2onA2theirA2vulva.A2SheA2isA2concernedA2thatA2sheA2has
A2aA2sexuallyA2transmittedA2infection.A2YouA2notifyA2herA2thatA2condylomaA2isA2causedA2by
A2exposureA2toA2whichA2ofA2theA2following?A2-A2Ans--
A2HumanA2papillomavirusA2typeA26A2andA21
YourA2patient,A2whoA2hasA2undergoneA2aA2recentA2majorA2medicalA2procedure,A2isA2atA2aA
2rehabilitationA2centerA2andA2isA2havingA2aA2hardA2timeA2beingA2motivatedA2toA2doA2therap
y.A2WhenA2youA2interviewA2themA2asA2theA2nurseA2practitionerA2onA2staffA2forA2theA2subac
uteA2rehabA2center,A2theyA2appearA2toA2beA2responsiveA2andA2haveA2difficultyA2beingA2aw
akeA2duringA2therapyA2sessions.A2TheyA2haveA2stableA2vitalA2signs,A2temperature,A2andA2
urineA2output,A2andA2areA2notA2ill-
appearing.A2AsA2aA2prudentA2nurseA2practitioner,A2youA2understandA2thisA2mayA2represent
A2whichA2ofA2theA2following?A2-A2Ans--A2SituationalA2depression
TheA218-year-
oldA2femaleA2patientA2whoA2inappropriatelyA2exhibitsA2fearA2ofA2abandonment,A2intenseA2i
nterpersonalA2relationships,A2affectiveA2instability,A2andA2recurrentA2self-
harmA2describesA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnoses:A2-A2Ans--
A2BorderlineA2personalityA2disorder
YouA2areA2treatingA2aA2patientA2whoA2hasA2stoppedA2takingA2theirA2diureticA2regimenA2aga
instA2medicalA2adviceA2whileA2theyA2areA2onA2vacation,A2sinceA2itA2madeA2themA2urinateA2t
ooA2frequentlyA2forA2theirA2plans.A2NowA2theyA2areA221A2poundsA2heavierA2thanA2theirA2ba
selineA2weight,A2haveA2respiratoryA2cracklesA2inA2bilateralA2bases,A2andA2haveA2severeA2g
eneralizedA2lowerA2extremityA2andA2truncalA2edemaA2extendingA2toA2theA2sacrumA2andA2a
bdomen.A2InA2yourA2documentation,A2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2conditionsA2isA2thisA2refer
ringA2to?A2-A2Ans--A2Anasarca-A2generalizedA2swelling
AND CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS
YourA222-year-
oldA2maleA2patientA2statesA2duringA2hisA2reviewA2ofA2systemsA2thatA2hisA2scrotumA2isA2very
A2enlargedA2andA2feelsA2likeA2itA2isA2fullA2ofA2aA2powerlifterA2andA2worksA2asA2aA2trashA2coll
ector.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnosesA2doA2youA2suspectA2theA2patientA2likelyA2has
?A2-A2Ans--A2Varicocele
TheA2pointA2ofA2maximumA2impulseA2(PMI)A2isA2MOSTA2oftenA2palpableA2inA2healthyA2adu
ltsA2whenA2positionedA2inA2theA2supineA2orA2leftA2lateralA2decubitusA2position.A2WhichA2on
eA2ofA2theA2followingA2locationsA2isA2mostA2commonlyA2describedA2asA2theA2PMIA2inA2aA2h
ealthyA2adult?A2-A2Ans--A2LeftA25thA2intercostalA2spaceA2midclavicularA2line
AA240-year-
oldA2female,A2AfricanA2AmericanA2patientA2presentsA2forA2historyA2andA2physical.A2UponA2
yourA2initialA2assessment,A2youA2noticeA2sheA2hasA2severeA2exophthalmosA2asA2picturedA
2below.A2WhichA2oneA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnosesA2belowA2wouldA2beA2theA2highestA2on
A2yourA2differentialA2diagnosisA2ofA2thisA2physicalA2examinationA2finding?A2-A2Ans--
A2Hyperthyroidism
YourA2patientA2withA2aA2suspectedA2diagnosisA2ofA2COPDA2hasA2beenA2seenA2byA2pulmon
ologyA2andA2hasA2undergoneA2aA2pulmonaryA2functionA2testA2(PFT)A2withA2spirometry.A2A
sA2theA2patient'sA2primaryA2healthcareA2provider,A2youA2haveA2beenA2askedA2toA2explainA2t
heA2findingsA2ofA2theA2PFTA2toA2theA2patientA2inA2aA2follow-
upA2visit,A2atA2whichA2timeA2theA2patientA2asksA2whatA2theA2studyA2wasA2evaluating.A2ToA2
describeA2theA2PFTA2toA2theA2patientA2inA2moreA2usefulA2terms,A2youA2stateA2thatA2theA2lar
geA2inspirationA2ofA2airA2toA2theA2furthestA2extentA2theyA2couldA2reasonablyA2accomplish,A2
followedA2byA2aA2fullA2exhalation,A2isA2referredA2toA2asA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2measur
ementsA2duringA2theA2PFT?A2-A2Ans--A2ForcedA2vitalA2capacity
YourA2patientA2hasA2aA2diagnosisA2ofA2Addison'sA2disease.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2mi
ghtA2youA2expectA2toA2findA2duringA2anA2examination?A2-A2Ans--A2LowA2bodyA2temperature
TheA2nurseA2practitioner'sA2evaluationA2ofA2aA2patientA2withA2DiabetesA2MellitusA2typeA22A2
shouldA2includeA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2whileA2evaluatingA2forA2end-
organA2dysfunctionA2ofA2theA2disease?A2-A2Ans--A2RenalA2functionA2panel
Urinalysis
Non-dilatedA2eyeA2exam
DA2-AllA2ofA2theseA2areA2appropriateA2options
DuringA2yourA2visitA2withA2aA219-year-
oldA2patientA2forA2aA2collegeA2healthA2physical,A2yourA2healthA2historyA2includesA2aA2diagn
osisA2ofA2angioedema.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2partsA2ofA2theA2bodyA2wasA2likelyA2inv
olved?A2-A2Ans--A2FaceA2andA2lips
,WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2dermatologicA2lesionsA2isA2precancerousA2andA2likelyA2dueA2to
A2prolongedA2exposureA2toA2UV-B?A2-A2Ans--A2ActinicA2keratosis
BasedA2onA2yourA2evaluationA2ofA2ABCDEA2forA2melanoma,A2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2re
presentsA2aA2suspiciousA2finding?A2-A2Ans--A2IrregularA2borders
YourA2patientA2isA2complainingA2ofA2hypersomnia,A2lackA2ofA2motivation,A2weightA2gain,A2a
ndA2anhedonia.A2SuspectingA2aA2diagnosisA2ofA2clinicalA2depression,A2youA2anticipateA2th
eA2patientA2willA2benefitA2fromA2treatingA2theirA2underlyingA2deficitA2ofA2whichA2ofA2theA2foll
owingA2neurotransmitters?A2-A2Ans--A2Serotonin
AsA2aA2prudentA2nurseA2practitioner,A2theA2diabetic,A2hypertensiveA2patientA2youA2areA2se
eingA2shouldA2beA2evaluatedA2forA2earlyA2evidenceA2ofA2renalA2damageA2fromA2bothA2diab
etesA2andA2hypertension.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2followingA2assessmentA2toolsA2shouldA2theA2n
urseA2practitionerA2orderA2firstA2forA2theA2evaluationA2ofA2earlyA2renalA2dysfunctionA2secon
daryA2toA2diabetesA2orA2hypertension?A2-A2Ans--A2UrinalysisA2withA2micro/macroA2albumin
WhileA2evaluatingA2aA2patientA2inA2yourA2clinicA2forA2aA2routineA2healthA2visit,A2youA2auscul
tateA2cracklesA2inA2theA2posterolateralA2leftA2lowerA2lobeA2andA2haveA2theA2patientA2cough.
A2Follow-
upA2auscultationA2revealsA2clearA2breathA2sounds.A2WhichA2oneA2ofA2theA2followingA2woul
dA2youA2suspect?A2-A2Ans--A2Atelectasis-
A2conditionA2whereA2oneA2orA2moreA2areasA2ofA2theA2lungsA2collapseA2orA2don'tA2inflateA2pr
operly,A2leadingA2toA2reducedA2oxygenA2levelsA2inA2theA2blood
YourA239-year-
oldA2patient,A2whoA2hasA2recentlyA2beenA2hospitalizedA2forA2anA2appendectomy,A2isA2bein
gA2seenA2inA2yourA2clinicA2forA2post-operativeA2follow-
upA2withA2primaryA2care.A2OnA2assessment,A2theA2patientA2complainsA2ofA2someA2incision
alA2pain,A2andA2otherwiseA2examinationA2isA2standard,A2withA2theA2exceptionA2ofA2dullA2pe
rcussionA2soundsA2notedA2onA2theA2thoraxA2overA2lungA2tissue.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2following
A2diagnosesA2wouldA2beA2explainedA2byA2thisA2findingA2inA2aA2post-operativeA2patient?A2-
A2Ans--A2Atelectasis
YouA2areA2evaluatingA2aA241-year-
oldA2femaleA2patientA2inA2yourA2clinicA2withA2symptomsA2ofA2rightA2upperA2quadrantA2painA
2thatA2worsensA2withA2deepA2breathing.A2TheA2patientA2exhibitsA2aA2positiveA2MurphyA2sig
n.A2TheseA2findingsA2areA2mostA2consistentA2withA2whichA2oneA2ofA2theA2following?A2-
A2Ans--A2Cholecystitis-A2inflammationA2ofA2theA2gallbladder
InA2educatingA2yourA2patientA2aboutA2theA2non-
pharmacologicA2managementA2ofA2gastroesophagealA2refluxA2disease,A2youA2includeA2te
achingA2toA2theA2patientA2thatA2theirA2heartburnA2isA2aggravatedA2byA2alA2ofA2theA2followin
gA2exceptA2whichA2one?A2-A2Ans--
A2GastricA2dumping,A2orA2increasedA2emptyingA2intoA2theA2smallA2intestines
, TheA2patientA2isA2experiencingA2acuteA2closedA2angleA2glaucoma.A2WhichA2ofA2theA2follow
ingA2examinationA2findingsA2byA2theA2nurseA2practitionerA2isA2mostA2consistentA2withA2thei
rA2diagnosis?A2-A2Ans--A2IncreaseA2inA2intraocularA2pressure
WhileA2managingA2theA2careA2ofA2theA2patientA2withA2chronicA2alcoholism,A2theA2nurseA2pr
actitionerA2wouldA2likelyA2anticipateA2whichA2findingsA2onA2theA2CBCA2withA2differential?A2-
A2Ans--A2ElevatedA2MCVA2andA2MCH
MCV-A2MeasuresA2theA2averageA2sizeA2orA2volumeA2ofA2RBC
MCH-A2measureA2theA2averageA2amountA2ofA2HBGA2inA2aA2singleA2redA2bloodA2cell
TheA2nurseA2practitionerA2isA2caringA2forA2aA2patientA2withA2anA2elevatedA2WBC,A2fever,A2c
hills,A2andA2malaise.A2WhenA2developingA2aA2differentialA2diagnosisA2forA2thisA2finding,A2w
hichA2ofA2theA2followingA2isA2notA2aA2potentialA2causeA2ofA2theA2elevatedA2WBC?A2-A2Ans--
A2DiabetesA2MellitusA2TypeA22
YourA221-year-
oldA2sexuallyA2activeA2femaleA2patientA2statesA2duringA2aA2routineA2healthA2examA2thatA2th
eyA2haveA2someA2"weirdA2bumps"A2onA2theirA2vulva.A2SheA2isA2concernedA2thatA2sheA2has
A2aA2sexuallyA2transmittedA2infection.A2YouA2notifyA2herA2thatA2condylomaA2isA2causedA2by
A2exposureA2toA2whichA2ofA2theA2following?A2-A2Ans--
A2HumanA2papillomavirusA2typeA26A2andA21
YourA2patient,A2whoA2hasA2undergoneA2aA2recentA2majorA2medicalA2procedure,A2isA2atA2aA
2rehabilitationA2centerA2andA2isA2havingA2aA2hardA2timeA2beingA2motivatedA2toA2doA2therap
y.A2WhenA2youA2interviewA2themA2asA2theA2nurseA2practitionerA2onA2staffA2forA2theA2subac
uteA2rehabA2center,A2theyA2appearA2toA2beA2responsiveA2andA2haveA2difficultyA2beingA2aw
akeA2duringA2therapyA2sessions.A2TheyA2haveA2stableA2vitalA2signs,A2temperature,A2andA2
urineA2output,A2andA2areA2notA2ill-
appearing.A2AsA2aA2prudentA2nurseA2practitioner,A2youA2understandA2thisA2mayA2represent
A2whichA2ofA2theA2following?A2-A2Ans--A2SituationalA2depression
TheA218-year-
oldA2femaleA2patientA2whoA2inappropriatelyA2exhibitsA2fearA2ofA2abandonment,A2intenseA2i
nterpersonalA2relationships,A2affectiveA2instability,A2andA2recurrentA2self-
harmA2describesA2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2diagnoses:A2-A2Ans--
A2BorderlineA2personalityA2disorder
YouA2areA2treatingA2aA2patientA2whoA2hasA2stoppedA2takingA2theirA2diureticA2regimenA2aga
instA2medicalA2adviceA2whileA2theyA2areA2onA2vacation,A2sinceA2itA2madeA2themA2urinateA2t
ooA2frequentlyA2forA2theirA2plans.A2NowA2theyA2areA221A2poundsA2heavierA2thanA2theirA2ba
selineA2weight,A2haveA2respiratoryA2cracklesA2inA2bilateralA2bases,A2andA2haveA2severeA2g
eneralizedA2lowerA2extremityA2andA2truncalA2edemaA2extendingA2toA2theA2sacrumA2andA2a
bdomen.A2InA2yourA2documentation,A2whichA2ofA2theA2followingA2conditionsA2isA2thisA2refer
ringA2to?A2-A2Ans--A2Anasarca-A2generalizedA2swelling