CHAMBERLAIN NR 575 CLINICAL EVALUATION ASSESSMENT
(CEA) EXAM 300 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
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Question 1
While assessing a 19-year-old patient for a new onset cough, the nurse practitioner
performs percussion of the thorax. How does percussion assist during the physical
examination?
A) To assist with confirmation of cardiac origin of angina
B) To assess for deep-seated lesions and tumors
C) To assess for pain or discomfort prior to palpation
D) To identify if underlying tissues are air-filled, fluid-filled, or consolidated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Percussion of the thorax helps determine whether underlying tissues are
air-filled (resonance), fluid-filled (dullness), or consolidated (flatness). This technique
is essential for differentiating between conditions such as pneumonia (consolidation),
pleural effusion (dullness), and normal lung tissue (resonance).
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,Question 2
A 42-year-old male patient has a documented diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.
You perform a diaphragmatic excursion test. Which result would you expect?
A) Approximately equal level of change in descent of the diaphragm bilaterally
during maximal inspiration and expiration with decreased overall inspiratory
capacity
B) Marked increase in diaphragmatic excursion bilaterally
C) Unequal diaphragmatic excursion with greater movement on the right side
D) Absent or no change in movement of the diaphragm noted between full
inspiration and expiration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In interstitial lung disease, the lungs become stiff and less compliant. This
leads to decreased overall inspiratory capacity and reduced but approximately
equal descent of the diaphragm bilaterally.
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Question 3
A 50-year-old male patient has not seen a primary care provider in 20+ years.
While examining the head and face, you note nonpitting periorbital edema
(particularly under the eyes) and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third
of eyebrows. Which condition would you expect?
A) Severe hypothyroidism
,B) Addison's disease
C) Graves' disease
D) Alzheimer's disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nonpitting periorbital edema (myxedema) and thinning of the lateral
third of the eyebrows are classic signs of severe hypothyroidism. Myxedema results
from accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the dermis, and hair changes reflect
decreased metabolic activity in hair follicles.
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Question 4
A newly established patient reports developing a noticeable bump on their neck
over the past year, with symptoms of anxiety, tremor, and palpitations. On
examination, an enlarged thyroid gland suspicious for a goiter is identified. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A) Thyrotoxicosis
B) Iodine Excess
C) Myxedema Coma
D) Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: The patient's symptoms—anxiety, tremor, palpitations, and goiter—are
classic manifestations of hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis. Graves' disease is the most
common cause and often presents with diffuse goiter and signs of sympathetic
overactivity.
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Question 5
What is the correct order of abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
D) Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal examination is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
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Question 6
A 68-year-old man presents with sudden onset left-sided weakness and slurred
speech for 45 minutes. Which action is the highest priority?
(CEA) EXAM 300 MULTIPLE CHOICE QUESTIONS WITH
CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES
---
Question 1
While assessing a 19-year-old patient for a new onset cough, the nurse practitioner
performs percussion of the thorax. How does percussion assist during the physical
examination?
A) To assist with confirmation of cardiac origin of angina
B) To assess for deep-seated lesions and tumors
C) To assess for pain or discomfort prior to palpation
D) To identify if underlying tissues are air-filled, fluid-filled, or consolidated
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Percussion of the thorax helps determine whether underlying tissues are
air-filled (resonance), fluid-filled (dullness), or consolidated (flatness). This technique
is essential for differentiating between conditions such as pneumonia (consolidation),
pleural effusion (dullness), and normal lung tissue (resonance).
---
,Question 2
A 42-year-old male patient has a documented diagnosis of interstitial lung disease.
You perform a diaphragmatic excursion test. Which result would you expect?
A) Approximately equal level of change in descent of the diaphragm bilaterally
during maximal inspiration and expiration with decreased overall inspiratory
capacity
B) Marked increase in diaphragmatic excursion bilaterally
C) Unequal diaphragmatic excursion with greater movement on the right side
D) Absent or no change in movement of the diaphragm noted between full
inspiration and expiration
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: In interstitial lung disease, the lungs become stiff and less compliant. This
leads to decreased overall inspiratory capacity and reduced but approximately
equal descent of the diaphragm bilaterally.
---
Question 3
A 50-year-old male patient has not seen a primary care provider in 20+ years.
While examining the head and face, you note nonpitting periorbital edema
(particularly under the eyes) and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third
of eyebrows. Which condition would you expect?
A) Severe hypothyroidism
,B) Addison's disease
C) Graves' disease
D) Alzheimer's disease
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Nonpitting periorbital edema (myxedema) and thinning of the lateral
third of the eyebrows are classic signs of severe hypothyroidism. Myxedema results
from accumulation of glycosaminoglycans in the dermis, and hair changes reflect
decreased metabolic activity in hair follicles.
---
Question 4
A newly established patient reports developing a noticeable bump on their neck
over the past year, with symptoms of anxiety, tremor, and palpitations. On
examination, an enlarged thyroid gland suspicious for a goiter is identified. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A) Thyrotoxicosis
B) Iodine Excess
C) Myxedema Coma
D) Hashimoto's Thyroiditis
Correct Answer: A
, Rationale: The patient's symptoms—anxiety, tremor, palpitations, and goiter—are
classic manifestations of hyperthyroidism/thyrotoxicosis. Graves' disease is the most
common cause and often presents with diffuse goiter and signs of sympathetic
overactivity.
---
Question 5
What is the correct order of abdominal assessment?
A) Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
B) Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation
C) Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection
D) Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct order for abdominal examination is inspection, auscultation,
percussion, then palpation. Auscultation is performed before palpation and
percussion to avoid altering bowel sounds.
---
Question 6
A 68-year-old man presents with sudden onset left-sided weakness and slurred
speech for 45 minutes. Which action is the highest priority?
