NSG 550 WILKES DIAGNOSTIC
REASONING EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which process involves the collection and interpretation of data to reach a clinical
judgment?
A. Medical Billing
B. Quality Assurance
C. Diagnostic Reasoning
D. Administrative Oversight
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Diagnostic reasoning is the complex cognitive process by which
clinicians collect and interpret data to reach a diagnosis and management plan.
2. In the SOAP note format, where should the clinician document the patient’s reported
history of the present illness?
A. Plan
B. Objective
C. Assessment
,D. Subjective
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Subjective section contains the information the patient tells
you, including the history of the present illness and review of systems.
3. Which of the following describes the ‘S’ in the OLD CARTS mnemonic for symptom
assessment?
A. Side Effects
B. Subjective Data
C. Severity
D. Secondary Symptoms
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, and Severity.
4. Sensitivity in a diagnostic test refers to the test’s ability to:
A. Correctly identify those without the disease
B. Correctly identify those with the disease
C. Predict the cost of the procedure
D. Provide a rapid result
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sensitivity is the true positive rate, meaning the ability of a test
to correctly identify individuals who actually have the condition.
5. Specificity in a diagnostic test refers to the test’s ability to:
A. Correctly identify those with the disease
B. Correctly identify those without the disease
C. Measure the severity of symptoms
D. Determine the patient’s insurance coverage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Specificity is the true negative rate, or the ability of a test to
correctly identify individuals who do not have the condition.
6. What is the primary goal of the differential diagnosis process?
A. To bill for the highest complexity level
B. To systematically rule out and narrow down potential causes of a symptom
C. To list every possible disease in the world
D. To satisfy legal requirements for hospital admission
Answer: B
REASONING EXAM COMPREHENSIVE
REVIEW QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Which process involves the collection and interpretation of data to reach a clinical
judgment?
A. Medical Billing
B. Quality Assurance
C. Diagnostic Reasoning
D. Administrative Oversight
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Diagnostic reasoning is the complex cognitive process by which
clinicians collect and interpret data to reach a diagnosis and management plan.
2. In the SOAP note format, where should the clinician document the patient’s reported
history of the present illness?
A. Plan
B. Objective
C. Assessment
,D. Subjective
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: The Subjective section contains the information the patient tells
you, including the history of the present illness and review of systems.
3. Which of the following describes the ‘S’ in the OLD CARTS mnemonic for symptom
assessment?
A. Side Effects
B. Subjective Data
C. Severity
D. Secondary Symptoms
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: OLD CARTS stands for Onset, Location, Duration, Character,
Aggravating/Alleviating factors, Radiation, Timing, and Severity.
4. Sensitivity in a diagnostic test refers to the test’s ability to:
A. Correctly identify those without the disease
B. Correctly identify those with the disease
C. Predict the cost of the procedure
D. Provide a rapid result
, Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Sensitivity is the true positive rate, meaning the ability of a test
to correctly identify individuals who actually have the condition.
5. Specificity in a diagnostic test refers to the test’s ability to:
A. Correctly identify those with the disease
B. Correctly identify those without the disease
C. Measure the severity of symptoms
D. Determine the patient’s insurance coverage
Answer: B
Conceptual Explanation: Specificity is the true negative rate, or the ability of a test to
correctly identify individuals who do not have the condition.
6. What is the primary goal of the differential diagnosis process?
A. To bill for the highest complexity level
B. To systematically rule out and narrow down potential causes of a symptom
C. To list every possible disease in the world
D. To satisfy legal requirements for hospital admission
Answer: B
