CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is MOST often Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
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?
*Left 2nd intercostal space, midaxillary line.
*Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line.
*Right 4th intercostal space, midaxillary line.
*Right 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line.
The nurse practitioner assessing the patient with a rapid Peak of the R wave.
cardiac rhythm may assess for a pulse deficit by
auscultating the patient's heart while watching the EKG
rhythm. Where would the S1 heart sounds correlate with
the electrocardiographic waves?
*At the end of the T wave.
*At the start of the T wave.
*Peak of the R wave.
*At the start of the P wave.
Michael, a 72 year old male patient who previously Check for thyroid dysfunction
presented with stable cardiac-type chest pain has
underwent a stress test. He presents today to review
the stress test results, which show EKG findings of ST
segment depression during the exam in leads V3 and
V4 as well as some concurrent chest discomfort. Based
on these findings, which of the following are NOT
priority medical decisions?
*Prescribe metoprolol (Lopressor) 12.5mg PO BID
*Prescribe aspirin 81mg PO daily
*Refer to cardiology for angiography
• Check for thyroid dysfunction
While examining a 53 year old female patient, you Positive for egophony
auscultate abnormal breath sounds over all fields, and
now assess transmission of voice sounds by having the
patient say "ee" while auscultating the chest with the
diaphragm of your stethoscope. Normally, you should
auscultate a muffled "e" sound, however, you hear hear
a nasally "a" sound. Which one of the following will you
document is present?
*Positive stereognosis.
*Positive for egophony.
*Negative for bronchophony.
*Negative for egophony
,CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
While assessing the 19 year old patient for a new onset To identify if underlying tissue are air-filled, fluid-filled or consolidated
cough, the nurse practitioner may inspect, auscultate,
palpate, and/or percuss.
How does performing percussion of the thorax assist
the provider during the physical examination?
*To assist with the confirmation of cardiac origin of
angina.
*To assess for deep-seated lesion and tumors.
*To assess for any pain or discomfort prior to
palpitation of the chest wall.
*To identify if underlying tissue are air-filled, fluid-filled
or consolidated
Your 42 year old male patient has been referred to your Approximately equal level of change in the descent of the diaphragm
clinic for establishing care and on his intake survey, you bilaterally during maximal inspiration and expiration. with a decreased overall
note he has documented diagnosis of interstitial lung inspiratory capacity
disease. You have decided to perform a diaphragmatic
excursion test on the patient. Which one of the
following results would you expect to see in this
patient?
*Approximately equal level of change in the descent of
the diaphragm bilaterally during maximal inspiration
and expiration. with a decreased overall inspiratory
capacity.
*Ascension of 8-12 inches of the diaphragm noted
bilaterally on expiration, though often much less on the
right side due to the location of the heart and great
vessels.
*Much greater descent of the diaphragm on the right
side due to the liver present (two-three times larger).
*Absent or no change in movement of the diaphragm
noted between full inspiration and full expiration
measurement.
Your 50 year old Caucasian male patient has not seen a Severe hypothyroidism
primary care giver in 20+ years and is here for a history
and physical examination. While examining the head
and face, you see your patient has nonpitting
periorbital edema, particularly underneath their eyes
and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third of
eyebrows (as pictured below: Sparse hairline, thin
lateral eyebrows, Periobital edema). Which one of the
folowing would you expect to cause this finding?
*Severe hypothyroidism
*Addison's disease
*Grave's disease
*Alzhemiers.
,CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
A40 year old, female, African American patient Hyperthyroidism.
presents for history and physical. Upon your initial
assessment, you notice she has severe exophthalmos as
pictured below. Which one of the following diagnoses
below would be the highest on your differential
diagnose of this physical examination finding? (eyes
bulging out of her head)
*Bilateral conjunctivitis.
*Hyperthyroidism.
*hypothyroidism
*myexedma
Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has Forced Vital Capacity.
been seen by pulmonology and has underwent a
pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry. As the
patient's primary healthcare provider, you have been
asked to explain the findings of the PFT to the patient in
a
follow-up visit at which time the patient asks what the
study was evaluating. To describe the PFT to the patient
in more useful terms, you state that the large inspiration
of air to the furthest extent they could reasonably
accomplish followed by a full exhalation is referred to
as which of the following measurements during the
PFT?
*Forced Expiratory Volume over 1 second (FEV1).
*Functional Reserve Capacity.
*Inspiratory Reserve
*Forced Vital Capacity.
Your newly established patient states in the past year, ?
they have progressively developed a noticeable bump
on their neck and when asked about symptoms, they
report feeling very anxious, have developed a tremor,
and are commonly feeling palpitations in their chest.
On examination, you identify an enlarged thyroid gland
suspicious for a goiter. Of the following diagnoses,
which is most likely for the patient to develop based on
these findings above?
*Thyrotoxicosis.
*lodine Excess.
*Myxedema Coma.
*Hashimotos Thyroiditis...not this one
Your 32 year old female patient presented for a routine Tachycardia
health exam states they have a diagnoses of
hyperthyroidism by another
provider a year ago. In addition to evaluation with TSH
and T4 labwork, which of the following represent
typical signs of hyperthyroidism expected on your
exam of this patient?
*Hypersomnia
*Tachycardia.
*Lethargy.
*Recent unplanned weight gain.
, CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
Your patient has a diagnosis of Addison's disease. Which ?
of the following might you expect to find during
examination?
*Abdominal striae.
*Dowager hump.
*Low body temperature.
*Moon face...not this one
The nurse practitioner's evaluation of apatient with All of these are appropriate options.
Diabetes Mellitus type 2 should include which of the
folowing while evaluating
for end organ dysfunction of the disease?
*Renal function panel.
*Urinalysis.
*Non-dilated eye exam.
*All of these are appropriate options.
Your patient with a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is ?
being
seen in your clinic for routine liver serology and follow-
up examination. Which of the following correctly
identifies the normal liver span when percussing the
liver of a HEALTHY adult?
*6-12 cm in the midsternal line
*4-8 in the left midclavicular line...not this one
*4-8 cm in the right midclavicular line
*6-12 cm in the right midclavicular line.
The 33 year old male patient presents with complaints Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
of abdominal pain after a recent birthday party where
other guests also
suspected food borne illness and gastroenteritis. To
elicit the most accurate evaluation of this patient, which
is the order of assessment which should be done for
the abdomen?
*Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion.
*Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.
*Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection.
*Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
The point of maximum impulse (PMI) is MOST often Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line
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?
*Left 2nd intercostal space, midaxillary line.
*Left 5th intercostal space, midclavicular line.
*Right 4th intercostal space, midaxillary line.
*Right 2nd intercostal space, midclavicular line.
The nurse practitioner assessing the patient with a rapid Peak of the R wave.
cardiac rhythm may assess for a pulse deficit by
auscultating the patient's heart while watching the EKG
rhythm. Where would the S1 heart sounds correlate with
the electrocardiographic waves?
*At the end of the T wave.
*At the start of the T wave.
*Peak of the R wave.
*At the start of the P wave.
Michael, a 72 year old male patient who previously Check for thyroid dysfunction
presented with stable cardiac-type chest pain has
underwent a stress test. He presents today to review
the stress test results, which show EKG findings of ST
segment depression during the exam in leads V3 and
V4 as well as some concurrent chest discomfort. Based
on these findings, which of the following are NOT
priority medical decisions?
*Prescribe metoprolol (Lopressor) 12.5mg PO BID
*Prescribe aspirin 81mg PO daily
*Refer to cardiology for angiography
• Check for thyroid dysfunction
While examining a 53 year old female patient, you Positive for egophony
auscultate abnormal breath sounds over all fields, and
now assess transmission of voice sounds by having the
patient say "ee" while auscultating the chest with the
diaphragm of your stethoscope. Normally, you should
auscultate a muffled "e" sound, however, you hear hear
a nasally "a" sound. Which one of the following will you
document is present?
*Positive stereognosis.
*Positive for egophony.
*Negative for bronchophony.
*Negative for egophony
,CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
While assessing the 19 year old patient for a new onset To identify if underlying tissue are air-filled, fluid-filled or consolidated
cough, the nurse practitioner may inspect, auscultate,
palpate, and/or percuss.
How does performing percussion of the thorax assist
the provider during the physical examination?
*To assist with the confirmation of cardiac origin of
angina.
*To assess for deep-seated lesion and tumors.
*To assess for any pain or discomfort prior to
palpitation of the chest wall.
*To identify if underlying tissue are air-filled, fluid-filled
or consolidated
Your 42 year old male patient has been referred to your Approximately equal level of change in the descent of the diaphragm
clinic for establishing care and on his intake survey, you bilaterally during maximal inspiration and expiration. with a decreased overall
note he has documented diagnosis of interstitial lung inspiratory capacity
disease. You have decided to perform a diaphragmatic
excursion test on the patient. Which one of the
following results would you expect to see in this
patient?
*Approximately equal level of change in the descent of
the diaphragm bilaterally during maximal inspiration
and expiration. with a decreased overall inspiratory
capacity.
*Ascension of 8-12 inches of the diaphragm noted
bilaterally on expiration, though often much less on the
right side due to the location of the heart and great
vessels.
*Much greater descent of the diaphragm on the right
side due to the liver present (two-three times larger).
*Absent or no change in movement of the diaphragm
noted between full inspiration and full expiration
measurement.
Your 50 year old Caucasian male patient has not seen a Severe hypothyroidism
primary care giver in 20+ years and is here for a history
and physical examination. While examining the head
and face, you see your patient has nonpitting
periorbital edema, particularly underneath their eyes
and very dry, thinned hair, including the lateral third of
eyebrows (as pictured below: Sparse hairline, thin
lateral eyebrows, Periobital edema). Which one of the
folowing would you expect to cause this finding?
*Severe hypothyroidism
*Addison's disease
*Grave's disease
*Alzhemiers.
,CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
A40 year old, female, African American patient Hyperthyroidism.
presents for history and physical. Upon your initial
assessment, you notice she has severe exophthalmos as
pictured below. Which one of the following diagnoses
below would be the highest on your differential
diagnose of this physical examination finding? (eyes
bulging out of her head)
*Bilateral conjunctivitis.
*Hyperthyroidism.
*hypothyroidism
*myexedma
Your patient with a suspected diagnosis of COPD has Forced Vital Capacity.
been seen by pulmonology and has underwent a
pulmonary function test (PFT) with spirometry. As the
patient's primary healthcare provider, you have been
asked to explain the findings of the PFT to the patient in
a
follow-up visit at which time the patient asks what the
study was evaluating. To describe the PFT to the patient
in more useful terms, you state that the large inspiration
of air to the furthest extent they could reasonably
accomplish followed by a full exhalation is referred to
as which of the following measurements during the
PFT?
*Forced Expiratory Volume over 1 second (FEV1).
*Functional Reserve Capacity.
*Inspiratory Reserve
*Forced Vital Capacity.
Your newly established patient states in the past year, ?
they have progressively developed a noticeable bump
on their neck and when asked about symptoms, they
report feeling very anxious, have developed a tremor,
and are commonly feeling palpitations in their chest.
On examination, you identify an enlarged thyroid gland
suspicious for a goiter. Of the following diagnoses,
which is most likely for the patient to develop based on
these findings above?
*Thyrotoxicosis.
*lodine Excess.
*Myxedema Coma.
*Hashimotos Thyroiditis...not this one
Your 32 year old female patient presented for a routine Tachycardia
health exam states they have a diagnoses of
hyperthyroidism by another
provider a year ago. In addition to evaluation with TSH
and T4 labwork, which of the following represent
typical signs of hyperthyroidism expected on your
exam of this patient?
*Hypersomnia
*Tachycardia.
*Lethargy.
*Recent unplanned weight gain.
, CEA Preclinical Exam Questions & Answers 2026/2027 | CEA Prep Full Practice Exam & Study Guide
Your patient has a diagnosis of Addison's disease. Which ?
of the following might you expect to find during
examination?
*Abdominal striae.
*Dowager hump.
*Low body temperature.
*Moon face...not this one
The nurse practitioner's evaluation of apatient with All of these are appropriate options.
Diabetes Mellitus type 2 should include which of the
folowing while evaluating
for end organ dysfunction of the disease?
*Renal function panel.
*Urinalysis.
*Non-dilated eye exam.
*All of these are appropriate options.
Your patient with a diagnosis of autoimmune hepatitis is ?
being
seen in your clinic for routine liver serology and follow-
up examination. Which of the following correctly
identifies the normal liver span when percussing the
liver of a HEALTHY adult?
*6-12 cm in the midsternal line
*4-8 in the left midclavicular line...not this one
*4-8 cm in the right midclavicular line
*6-12 cm in the right midclavicular line.
The 33 year old male patient presents with complaints Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion
of abdominal pain after a recent birthday party where
other guests also
suspected food borne illness and gastroenteritis. To
elicit the most accurate evaluation of this patient, which
is the order of assessment which should be done for
the abdomen?
*Inspection, auscultation, palpation, percussion.
*Inspection, auscultation, percussion, palpation.
*Percussion, auscultation, palpation, inspection.
*Auscultation, palpation, percussion, inspection
