NR511 CEA Exam (2025–2026 Update) | 150
Practice Questions with Rationales | Nursing
Study Guide
Question 1: The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is MOST often palpable in
healthy adults when positioned in the supine or left lateral decubitus position.
Which one of the following locations is most commonly described as the PMI in a
healthy adult?
• 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
Answer: B. Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Rationale: The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is the location where the cardiac
impulse is strongest. In healthy adults, it is most commonly found in the left 5th
intercostal space at the midclavicular line, corresponding to the apex of the heart.
Question 2: A 40-year-old, female, African American patient presents for history
and physical. Upon your initial assessment, you notice she has severe
exophthalmos. Which diagnosis would be the highest on your differential for this
physical examination finding?
• A. Bilateral conjunctivitis
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Hypothyroidism
• D. Myxedema
Answer: B. Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs) is a classic sign of Graves' disease,
,an autoimmune form of hyperthyroidism. This condition is more prevalent in
African American women.
Question 3: Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has undergone a
pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry. To describe the PFT to the patient,
you state that 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
Answer: D. Forced Vital Capacity
Rationale: Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the total volume of air that can be forcibly
exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. FEV1 is the
volume exhaled in the first second, while the other options represent different
lung volumes.
Question 4: 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's hump
• C. Low body temperature
• D. Moon face
Answer: B. Dowager's hump
Rationale: Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) is characterized by
cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. A "dowager's hump" (cervical kyphosis) and
other features like abdominal striae and moon face are more consistent with
Cushing's syndrome (cortisol excess).
,Question 5: The nurse practitioner's evaluation of a patient with Diabetes
Mellitus type 2 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
Answer: D. All of these are appropriate options
Rationale: Diabetes can cause end-organ damage. Evaluating renal function (renal
panel) for nephropathy, urinalysis for microalbuminuria, and an eye exam for
retinopathy are all essential components of a comprehensive diabetes
assessment.
Question 6: During your visit with a 19-year-old patient for a college health
physical, the health history includes a diagnosis of angioedema. What parts of the
body were likely involved?
• A. Isolated to the colon
• B. Anywhere in the enteral tract
• C. Chest
• D. Face and Lips
Answer: D. Face and Lips
Rationale: Angioedema is characterized by swelling in the deeper layers of the
skin, often involving the face, lips, tongue, and around the eyes. While it can
affect the airway or gastrointestinal tract, the face and lips are the most
commonly involved areas in a typical presentation.
, Question 7: Which of the following dermatologic lesions is precancerous and
likely due to prolonged exposure to UV-B?
• A. Actinic Keratosis
• B. Basal cell carcinoma
• C. Verucca
• D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Answer: A. Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by
years of sun exposure. It is considered a precancerous lesion because it can
develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Question 8: Based on your evaluation of the ABCDEs for melanoma, which of the
following represents a suspicious finding?
• A. Irregular borders
• B. Symmetrical nature
• C. Brown color
• D. Diameter of 0.4 cm
Answer: A. Irregular borders
Rationale: The ABCDEs of melanoma are Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color
variation, Diameter >6mm, and Evolving. Irregular, notched, or scalloped borders
are a key warning sign.
Question 9: Your patient is complaining of hypersomnia, lack of motivation,
weight gain, and anhedonia. Suspecting a diagnosis of clinical depression, you
anticipate the patient will benefit from treating their underlying deficit of which
neurotransmitter?
• A. GABA
• B. Serotonin
Practice Questions with Rationales | Nursing
Study Guide
Question 1: The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is MOST often palpable in
healthy adults when positioned in the supine or left lateral decubitus position.
Which one of the following locations is most commonly described as the PMI in a
healthy adult?
• 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
Answer: B. Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
Rationale: The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is the location where the cardiac
impulse is strongest. In healthy adults, it is most commonly found in the left 5th
intercostal space at the midclavicular line, corresponding to the apex of the heart.
Question 2: A 40-year-old, female, African American patient presents for history
and physical. Upon your initial assessment, you notice she has severe
exophthalmos. Which diagnosis would be the highest on your differential for this
physical examination finding?
• A. Bilateral conjunctivitis
• B. Hyperthyroidism
• C. Hypothyroidism
• D. Myxedema
Answer: B. Hyperthyroidism
Rationale: Exophthalmos (protruding eyeballs) is a classic sign of Graves' disease,
,an autoimmune form of hyperthyroidism. This condition is more prevalent in
African American women.
Question 3: Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has undergone a
pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry. To describe the PFT to the patient,
you state that 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
Answer: D. Forced Vital Capacity
Rationale: Forced vital capacity (FVC) is the total volume of air that can be forcibly
exhaled from the lungs after taking the deepest breath possible. FEV1 is the
volume exhaled in the first second, while the other options represent different
lung volumes.
Question 4: 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's hump
• C. Low body temperature
• D. Moon face
Answer: B. Dowager's hump
Rationale: Addison's disease (primary adrenal insufficiency) is characterized by
cortisol and aldosterone deficiency. A "dowager's hump" (cervical kyphosis) and
other features like abdominal striae and moon face are more consistent with
Cushing's syndrome (cortisol excess).
,Question 5: The nurse practitioner's evaluation of a patient with Diabetes
Mellitus type 2 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
Answer: D. All of these are appropriate options
Rationale: Diabetes can cause end-organ damage. Evaluating renal function (renal
panel) for nephropathy, urinalysis for microalbuminuria, and an eye exam for
retinopathy are all essential components of a comprehensive diabetes
assessment.
Question 6: During your visit with a 19-year-old patient for a college health
physical, the health history includes a diagnosis of angioedema. What parts of the
body were likely involved?
• A. Isolated to the colon
• B. Anywhere in the enteral tract
• C. Chest
• D. Face and Lips
Answer: D. Face and Lips
Rationale: Angioedema is characterized by swelling in the deeper layers of the
skin, often involving the face, lips, tongue, and around the eyes. While it can
affect the airway or gastrointestinal tract, the face and lips are the most
commonly involved areas in a typical presentation.
, Question 7: Which of the following dermatologic lesions is precancerous and
likely due to prolonged exposure to UV-B?
• A. Actinic Keratosis
• B. Basal cell carcinoma
• C. Verucca
• D. Seborrheic dermatitis
Answer: A. Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis (AK) is a rough, scaly patch on the skin caused by
years of sun exposure. It is considered a precancerous lesion because it can
develop into squamous cell carcinoma.
Question 8: Based on your evaluation of the ABCDEs for melanoma, which of the
following represents a suspicious finding?
• A. Irregular borders
• B. Symmetrical nature
• C. Brown color
• D. Diameter of 0.4 cm
Answer: A. Irregular borders
Rationale: The ABCDEs of melanoma are Asymmetry, Border irregularity, Color
variation, Diameter >6mm, and Evolving. Irregular, notched, or scalloped borders
are a key warning sign.
Question 9: Your patient is complaining of hypersomnia, lack of motivation,
weight gain, and anhedonia. Suspecting a diagnosis of clinical depression, you
anticipate the patient will benefit from treating their underlying deficit of which
neurotransmitter?
• A. GABA
• B. Serotonin
