1
NR511 CEA Exam (2026–2027 Update)
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
Chamberlain University | Advanced Practice Nursing | Graded
A+
QUESTION 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain that is pressure-like, radiating to the left
arm, associated with diaphoresis and nausea. The pain started 30 minutes ago while
shoveling snow. What is the most appropriate initial action?
A) Obtain a detailed cardiac history
B) Administer aspirin 324 mg PO
C) Activate EMS for immediate transport
D) Perform an EKG in the office
Rationale: This patient has symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The
most appropriate initial action is to activate EMS for immediate transport to an emergency
department. While aspirin and EKG are important, they should not delay emergency
transport .
QUESTION 2
A 65-year-old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to
the back. Blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 100/60 in the left arm. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
Sure pass
,2
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to the
back and can cause discrepancies in blood pressure between arms. This clinical picture is
classic for aortic dissection, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate imaging
and surgical consultation .
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of creating a differential diagnosis list?
A) To list all possible diseases that could explain a patient's symptoms, ranked
from most to least likely
B) To provide a definitive diagnosis before any testing is done
C) To satisfy insurance requirements for reimbursement
D) To document only the most serious condition regardless of likelihood
Rationale: A differential diagnosis list is a systematic method to identify and rank
potential causes of a patient's presenting symptoms. This process ensures comprehensive
clinical reasoning, prevents premature closure, and guides appropriate diagnostic testing .
QUESTION 4
A 55-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which finding on history most increases
the probability of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
A) Sharp, positional pain reproducible with palpation
B) Pain that radiates to the left arm or jaw
Sure pass
,3
C) Pain that worsens with deep inspiration
D) Pain that improves with leaning forward
Rationale: Pain radiating to the left arm or jaw is a classic symptom of cardiac ischemia
and is one of the key features that increases the probability of ACS. Positional pain, pain
with palpation, and pain worsening with inspiration are more consistent with
musculoskeletal or pericardial etiologies .
QUESTION 5
A 35-year-old female presents with episodic vertigo described as "the room spinning"
lasting several hours. The vertigo is accompanied by nausea and hearing loss in the left
ear. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
B) Meniere's disease
C) Vestibular neuritis
D) Cerebellar stroke
Rationale: Meniere's disease is characterized by episodic vertigo lasting hours,
accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. BPPV typically
lasts seconds to minutes and is triggered by positional changes. Vestibular neuritis
presents with acute onset severe vertigo lasting days without hearing loss .
QUESTION 6
Sure pass
, 4
A 60-year-old male presents with dizziness described as "feeling like I might pass out."
He reports it occurs when standing up quickly. Which term best describes this
symptom?
A) Vertigo
B) Presyncope
C) Disequilibrium
D) Lightheadedness
Rationale: Presyncope is the sensation of feeling faint or about to pass out without actual
loss of consciousness. It often occurs with orthostatic hypotension. Vertigo is a false sense
of motion (room spinning). Disequilibrium refers to imbalance or unsteadiness .
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is a "red flag" symptom in a patient presenting with headache?
A) Gradual onset over hours
B) Bilateral throbbing pain
C) Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
D) Pain that improves with rest
Rationale: A sudden onset "thunderclap" headache (reaching maximum intensity within
seconds to minutes) is a red flag that may indicate subarachnoid hemorrhage or other
serious intracranial pathology. It requires immediate evaluation .
QUESTION 8
Sure pass
NR511 CEA Exam (2026–2027 Update)
Practice Questions with Verified Answers & Rationales
Chamberlain University | Advanced Practice Nursing | Graded
A+
QUESTION 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pain that is pressure-like, radiating to the left
arm, associated with diaphoresis and nausea. The pain started 30 minutes ago while
shoveling snow. What is the most appropriate initial action?
A) Obtain a detailed cardiac history
B) Administer aspirin 324 mg PO
C) Activate EMS for immediate transport
D) Perform an EKG in the office
Rationale: This patient has symptoms concerning for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). The
most appropriate initial action is to activate EMS for immediate transport to an emergency
department. While aspirin and EKG are important, they should not delay emergency
transport .
QUESTION 2
A 65-year-old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to
the back. Blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 100/60 in the left arm. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A) Acute myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
Sure pass
,2
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Rationale: Aortic dissection presents with severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to the
back and can cause discrepancies in blood pressure between arms. This clinical picture is
classic for aortic dissection, which is a medical emergency requiring immediate imaging
and surgical consultation .
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of creating a differential diagnosis list?
A) To list all possible diseases that could explain a patient's symptoms, ranked
from most to least likely
B) To provide a definitive diagnosis before any testing is done
C) To satisfy insurance requirements for reimbursement
D) To document only the most serious condition regardless of likelihood
Rationale: A differential diagnosis list is a systematic method to identify and rank
potential causes of a patient's presenting symptoms. This process ensures comprehensive
clinical reasoning, prevents premature closure, and guides appropriate diagnostic testing .
QUESTION 4
A 55-year-old male presents with chest pain. Which finding on history most increases
the probability of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?
A) Sharp, positional pain reproducible with palpation
B) Pain that radiates to the left arm or jaw
Sure pass
,3
C) Pain that worsens with deep inspiration
D) Pain that improves with leaning forward
Rationale: Pain radiating to the left arm or jaw is a classic symptom of cardiac ischemia
and is one of the key features that increases the probability of ACS. Positional pain, pain
with palpation, and pain worsening with inspiration are more consistent with
musculoskeletal or pericardial etiologies .
QUESTION 5
A 35-year-old female presents with episodic vertigo described as "the room spinning"
lasting several hours. The vertigo is accompanied by nausea and hearing loss in the left
ear. Which diagnosis is most likely?
A) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
B) Meniere's disease
C) Vestibular neuritis
D) Cerebellar stroke
Rationale: Meniere's disease is characterized by episodic vertigo lasting hours,
accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. BPPV typically
lasts seconds to minutes and is triggered by positional changes. Vestibular neuritis
presents with acute onset severe vertigo lasting days without hearing loss .
QUESTION 6
Sure pass
, 4
A 60-year-old male presents with dizziness described as "feeling like I might pass out."
He reports it occurs when standing up quickly. Which term best describes this
symptom?
A) Vertigo
B) Presyncope
C) Disequilibrium
D) Lightheadedness
Rationale: Presyncope is the sensation of feeling faint or about to pass out without actual
loss of consciousness. It often occurs with orthostatic hypotension. Vertigo is a false sense
of motion (room spinning). Disequilibrium refers to imbalance or unsteadiness .
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is a "red flag" symptom in a patient presenting with headache?
A) Gradual onset over hours
B) Bilateral throbbing pain
C) Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
D) Pain that improves with rest
Rationale: A sudden onset "thunderclap" headache (reaching maximum intensity within
seconds to minutes) is a red flag that may indicate subarachnoid hemorrhage or other
serious intracranial pathology. It requires immediate evaluation .
QUESTION 8
Sure pass
