Answers with Rationales (2025/2026 Latest Update)
Questions 1–250
1. A 65-year-old male presents with fatigue and shortness of breath
on exertion. What is the most appropriate initial assessment for
suspected heart failure?
A) Complete blood count (CBC)
B) Chest X-ray
C) Electrocardiogram (ECG)
D) B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
Answer D: B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) level
Rationale: BNP is a sensitive initial screening test for heart failure in
older adults, helping differentiate cardiac from non-cardiac causes.
,2. A 50-year-old female reports hot flashes and irregular periods.
What is the recommended initial assessment for perimenopause?
A) Thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH)
B) Pregnancy test
C) Mammogram
D) Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level
Answer D: Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) level
Rationale: Elevated FSH confirms ovarian decline in perimenopause.
3. An 80-year-old male with chronic low back pain. What physical
exam maneuver assesses for spinal stenosis?
A) Straight-leg raise
B) McMurray's test
C) Phalen's test
D) Flexion and extension testing
Answer D: Flexion and extension testing
Rationale: Flexion relieves symptoms in spinal stenosis, while
extension worsens them.
,4. A 55-year-old male with urinary frequency and weak stream.
What is the initial assessment for benign prostatic hyperplasia
(BPH)?
A) Urinalysis only
B) Renal ultrasound
C) No exam needed
D) Digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Answer D: Digital rectal exam (DRE) and prostate-specific antigen
(PSA)
Rationale: DRE evaluates prostate size, and PSA screens for
malignancy in BPH.
5. A 70-year-old female is having her yearly evaluation. Which
physical examination finding receives the highest priority for
immediate treatment?
A) Atrophy of vaginal rugae
B) Cystocele present
C) Pessary in place
, D) Palpable ovary
Answer D: Palpable ovary
Rationale: A palpable ovary in a postmenopausal woman is
concerning for ovarian malignancy and requires immediate
evaluation.
6. A 16-year-old male who just received his driver's license says he
does not need to wear a seat belt. According to the health belief
model, what component does the patient lack?
A) Enabling factors
B) Motivation
C) Perceived role conflict
D) Perceived severity
Answer D: Perceived severity
Rationale: The patient does not believe that a collision would have
serious consequences, indicating a lack of perceived severity.