NR569 COMPREHENSIVE PRACTICE Q-
BANK| 200 QUESTIONS FOR DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS IN ACUTE CARE |
CHAMBERLAIN | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED
Diagnostic Reasoning & Testing
1. Question: The mnemonic "SPIN" is used to remember a key principle of
diagnostic testing. What does it stand for?
o Answer: A. SPecific test rules IN disease
2. Question: What is the formula for calculating the specificity of a diagnostic
test?
o Answer: C. TN/(TN + FP) (True Negatives divided by True Negatives +
False Positives)
3. Question: What does the Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of a test describe?
o Answer: B. The probability that a patient does NOT have the disease
following a negative test
4. Question: What is the correct formula for calculating the Positive Predictive
Value (PPV)?
o Answer: A. TP/(TP + FP)
5. Question: According to principles of good clinical documentation, how
should the History of Present Illness (HPI) be arranged?
o Answer: B. In chronological order, starting with the current episode,
then filling in relevant background information
Musculoskeletal Conditions
6. Question: A patient presents with sudden shoulder pain after lifting a heavy
object. On exam, they have a visible bulge in the upper arm, described as a
"Popeye deformity." Which condition is most likely?
o Answer: Bicipital Tendon Rupture
7. Question: A patient reports sharp pain on the outside of their elbow that
worsens with wrist extension and gripping. What is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Lateral Epicondylitis
, 8. Question: Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of adhesive
capsulitis?
o Answer: Diffuse shoulder pain that is WORSE AT NIGHT
9. Question: A patient presents with severe shoulder pain and limited range of
motion after a fall. Pain increases with adduction/abduction past 90 degrees
and heavy lifting. What condition is suggested by the finding of a positive
Paxino's sign?
o Answer: Acromioclavicular sprain
HEENT Conditions
10. Question: A patient presents with hearing loss, foul-smelling ear drainage,
and a history of recurrent ear infections. What is the most concerning
diagnosis to consider?
o Answer: Cholesteatoma
11. Question: Which of the following describes the classic presentation of Ramsay
Hunt Syndrome?
o Answer: Herpes zoster oticus characterized by hearing loss, pain, and
vesicles in the ear along with ipsilateral facial palsy
12. Question: What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media
(OM)?
o Answer: Augmentin
13. Question: A patient presents with a red, painful, and swollen eye with blurred
vision and light sensitivity. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Uveitis
14. Question: Which of the following is a common, usually painless, nodule on
the eyelid that is caused by a bacterial infection of the glands?
o Answer: Chalazion
15. Question: A patient is diagnosed with Necrotizing Otitis Externa (NOE). Which
of the following cranial nerves is at risk of being affected by this condition?
o Answer: Facial (7)
Dyspnea & Other
16. Question: Which of the following is considered an intrinsic factor causing
dyspnea?
o Answer: Bronchospasm
17. Question: Which of the following is considered an extrinsic factor causing
dyspnea?
o Answer: Anemia
, 18. Question: Which shoulder disorders are known to benefit from steroid
injections?
o Answer: Adhesive Capsulitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Calcific Tendonitis
19. Question: Which of the following conditions can cause referred shoulder
pain?
o Answer: Gallbladder Disease
20. Question: According to principles of good clinical documentation, what is the
first checklist item to ensure a quality clinical record?
o Answer: B. Is the organization clear?
HEENT & Infectious Diseases
21. Question: Which immunoglobulin (Ig) is most indicative of a secondary or
recurrent infection?
o Answer: IgG
22. Question: A patient presents with a sudden onset of sore throat, fever, and
exudative tonsils. What test is most appropriate to confirm the etiology?
o Answer: Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT)
23. Question: Which of the following is a classic sign of allergic pharyngitis?
o Answer: Postnasal drip without fever or exudate
24. Question: A patient reports unilateral hearing loss, ear pain, and vesicles in the
ear canal along with facial weakness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (Herpes Zoster Oticus)
25. Question: Which cranial nerves are most at risk in Necrotizing Otitis Externa
(NOE)?
o Answer: Cranial Nerves VII (Facial), IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus),
and XI (Accessory)
26. Question: What is the primary treatment for Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)?
o Answer: Topical antibiotics
27. Question: Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is best defined as:
o Answer: Fluid in the middle ear without signs of acute infection
28. Question: A patient presents with redness, crusting, and burning sensation on
the eyelid margins. This is most consistent with:
o Answer: Blepharitis
29. Question: A painful, red, swollen bump on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash is
most likely:
o Answer: A stye (hordeolum)
30. Question: Which condition presents with a painless nodule on the eyelid due to
blocked meibomian glands?
BANK| 200 QUESTIONS FOR DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS IN ACUTE CARE |
CHAMBERLAIN | VERIFIED QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS | A+ GRADED
Diagnostic Reasoning & Testing
1. Question: The mnemonic "SPIN" is used to remember a key principle of
diagnostic testing. What does it stand for?
o Answer: A. SPecific test rules IN disease
2. Question: What is the formula for calculating the specificity of a diagnostic
test?
o Answer: C. TN/(TN + FP) (True Negatives divided by True Negatives +
False Positives)
3. Question: What does the Negative Predictive Value (NPV) of a test describe?
o Answer: B. The probability that a patient does NOT have the disease
following a negative test
4. Question: What is the correct formula for calculating the Positive Predictive
Value (PPV)?
o Answer: A. TP/(TP + FP)
5. Question: According to principles of good clinical documentation, how
should the History of Present Illness (HPI) be arranged?
o Answer: B. In chronological order, starting with the current episode,
then filling in relevant background information
Musculoskeletal Conditions
6. Question: A patient presents with sudden shoulder pain after lifting a heavy
object. On exam, they have a visible bulge in the upper arm, described as a
"Popeye deformity." Which condition is most likely?
o Answer: Bicipital Tendon Rupture
7. Question: A patient reports sharp pain on the outside of their elbow that
worsens with wrist extension and gripping. What is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Lateral Epicondylitis
, 8. Question: Which of the following is a characteristic symptom of adhesive
capsulitis?
o Answer: Diffuse shoulder pain that is WORSE AT NIGHT
9. Question: A patient presents with severe shoulder pain and limited range of
motion after a fall. Pain increases with adduction/abduction past 90 degrees
and heavy lifting. What condition is suggested by the finding of a positive
Paxino's sign?
o Answer: Acromioclavicular sprain
HEENT Conditions
10. Question: A patient presents with hearing loss, foul-smelling ear drainage,
and a history of recurrent ear infections. What is the most concerning
diagnosis to consider?
o Answer: Cholesteatoma
11. Question: Which of the following describes the classic presentation of Ramsay
Hunt Syndrome?
o Answer: Herpes zoster oticus characterized by hearing loss, pain, and
vesicles in the ear along with ipsilateral facial palsy
12. Question: What is the first-line antibiotic treatment for acute otitis media
(OM)?
o Answer: Augmentin
13. Question: A patient presents with a red, painful, and swollen eye with blurred
vision and light sensitivity. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Uveitis
14. Question: Which of the following is a common, usually painless, nodule on
the eyelid that is caused by a bacterial infection of the glands?
o Answer: Chalazion
15. Question: A patient is diagnosed with Necrotizing Otitis Externa (NOE). Which
of the following cranial nerves is at risk of being affected by this condition?
o Answer: Facial (7)
Dyspnea & Other
16. Question: Which of the following is considered an intrinsic factor causing
dyspnea?
o Answer: Bronchospasm
17. Question: Which of the following is considered an extrinsic factor causing
dyspnea?
o Answer: Anemia
, 18. Question: Which shoulder disorders are known to benefit from steroid
injections?
o Answer: Adhesive Capsulitis, Rotator Cuff Tear, Calcific Tendonitis
19. Question: Which of the following conditions can cause referred shoulder
pain?
o Answer: Gallbladder Disease
20. Question: According to principles of good clinical documentation, what is the
first checklist item to ensure a quality clinical record?
o Answer: B. Is the organization clear?
HEENT & Infectious Diseases
21. Question: Which immunoglobulin (Ig) is most indicative of a secondary or
recurrent infection?
o Answer: IgG
22. Question: A patient presents with a sudden onset of sore throat, fever, and
exudative tonsils. What test is most appropriate to confirm the etiology?
o Answer: Rapid Antigen Detection Test (RADT)
23. Question: Which of the following is a classic sign of allergic pharyngitis?
o Answer: Postnasal drip without fever or exudate
24. Question: A patient reports unilateral hearing loss, ear pain, and vesicles in the
ear canal along with facial weakness. What is the most likely diagnosis?
o Answer: Ramsay Hunt Syndrome (Herpes Zoster Oticus)
25. Question: Which cranial nerves are most at risk in Necrotizing Otitis Externa
(NOE)?
o Answer: Cranial Nerves VII (Facial), IX (Glossopharyngeal), X (Vagus),
and XI (Accessory)
26. Question: What is the primary treatment for Acute Otitis Externa (AOE)?
o Answer: Topical antibiotics
27. Question: Otitis Media with Effusion (OME) is best defined as:
o Answer: Fluid in the middle ear without signs of acute infection
28. Question: A patient presents with redness, crusting, and burning sensation on
the eyelid margins. This is most consistent with:
o Answer: Blepharitis
29. Question: A painful, red, swollen bump on the eyelid at the base of an eyelash is
most likely:
o Answer: A stye (hordeolum)
30. Question: Which condition presents with a painless nodule on the eyelid due to
blocked meibomian glands?
