WILKES UNIVERSITY
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner
NSG 550 Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners 2026/2027
Exam 1 NCLEX
Question 1
What is the most common blood study?
A. Venous
B. Arterial
C. Capillary
D. Skin puncture
Correct Answer: A. Venous
RATIONALE
Venous blood studies are the most common type of blood testing, used for routine laboratory
analysis and diagnostic purposes.
Question 2
What is the normal level for Serum Creatinine?
A. 0.5-1.2 mg/dL; differs by sex and age; lower in children
B. 0.2-0.8 mg/dL
C. 1.5-2.5 mg/dL
D. 0.1-0.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. 0.5-1.2 mg/dL; differs by sex and age; lower in children
RATIONALE
Normal serum creatinine ranges from 0.5-1.2 mg/dL, varying by sex, age, and muscle mass.
Children have lower levels due to less muscle mass.
, Question 3
What is the gold standard for first time kidney stone testing?
A. CT Scan
B. KUB X-ray
C. Ultrasound
D. MRI
Correct Answer: A. CT Scan
RATIONALE
Non-contrast CT is the gold standard for first-time kidney stone evaluation due to its high
sensitivity and ability to detect stones of all sizes.
Question 4
What is the normal BUN level?
A. 7-20 mg/dL
B. 10-30 mg/dL
C. 5-15 mg/dL
D. 15-25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. 7-20 mg/dL
RATIONALE
Normal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is 7-20 mg/dL, reflecting urea clearance by the kidneys.
, Question 5
What is the normal TSH level?
A. 0.3-5 mIU/L
B. 0.1-2.5 mIU/L
C. 1-10 mIU/L
D. 0.5-3.0 mIU/L
Correct Answer: A. 0.3-5 mIU/L
RATIONALE
Normal TSH ranges from 0.3-5 mIU/L. Elevated TSH indicates hypothyroidism, while decreased
TSH indicates hyperthyroidism.
Question 6
What is the advantage of a 1st morning urine test?
A. Best for protein and nitrates
B. Most convenient for patients
C. Best for glucose testing
D. Best for pH testing
Correct Answer: A. Best for protein and nitrates
RATIONALE
First morning urine is most concentrated and provides the best specimen for detecting protein
and nitrates.
, Question 7
What is the ACR Practice Guidelines for Communication of Diagnostic Imaging
Findings?
A. Promote optimal patient care while supporting the provider, tailored for timeliness,
minimize communication errors
B. Only promote optimal patient care
C. Only minimize communication errors
D. Only support the provider
Correct Answer:
A. Promote optimal patient care while supporting the provider, tailored for
timeliness, minimize communication errors
RATIONALE
The ACR guidelines emphasize effective communication that promotes optimal patient care,
supports the provider, is tailored for timeliness, and minimizes communication errors.
Question 8
What are blood studies used for?
A. Establish diagnosis, rule out clinical problems, monitor therapy, establish prognosis, screen
for disease
B. Only establish diagnosis
C. Only monitor therapy
D. Only screen for disease
Correct Answer:
A. Establish diagnosis, rule out clinical problems, monitor therapy, establish
prognosis, screen for disease
RATIONALE
Blood studies serve multiple purposes: establishing diagnosis, ruling out clinical problems,
monitoring therapy, establishing prognosis, and screening for disease.
Master of Science in Nursing (MSN) — Nurse Practitioner
NSG 550 Diagnostic Reasoning for Nurse Practitioners 2026/2027
Exam 1 NCLEX
Question 1
What is the most common blood study?
A. Venous
B. Arterial
C. Capillary
D. Skin puncture
Correct Answer: A. Venous
RATIONALE
Venous blood studies are the most common type of blood testing, used for routine laboratory
analysis and diagnostic purposes.
Question 2
What is the normal level for Serum Creatinine?
A. 0.5-1.2 mg/dL; differs by sex and age; lower in children
B. 0.2-0.8 mg/dL
C. 1.5-2.5 mg/dL
D. 0.1-0.5 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. 0.5-1.2 mg/dL; differs by sex and age; lower in children
RATIONALE
Normal serum creatinine ranges from 0.5-1.2 mg/dL, varying by sex, age, and muscle mass.
Children have lower levels due to less muscle mass.
, Question 3
What is the gold standard for first time kidney stone testing?
A. CT Scan
B. KUB X-ray
C. Ultrasound
D. MRI
Correct Answer: A. CT Scan
RATIONALE
Non-contrast CT is the gold standard for first-time kidney stone evaluation due to its high
sensitivity and ability to detect stones of all sizes.
Question 4
What is the normal BUN level?
A. 7-20 mg/dL
B. 10-30 mg/dL
C. 5-15 mg/dL
D. 15-25 mg/dL
Correct Answer: A. 7-20 mg/dL
RATIONALE
Normal blood urea nitrogen (BUN) is 7-20 mg/dL, reflecting urea clearance by the kidneys.
, Question 5
What is the normal TSH level?
A. 0.3-5 mIU/L
B. 0.1-2.5 mIU/L
C. 1-10 mIU/L
D. 0.5-3.0 mIU/L
Correct Answer: A. 0.3-5 mIU/L
RATIONALE
Normal TSH ranges from 0.3-5 mIU/L. Elevated TSH indicates hypothyroidism, while decreased
TSH indicates hyperthyroidism.
Question 6
What is the advantage of a 1st morning urine test?
A. Best for protein and nitrates
B. Most convenient for patients
C. Best for glucose testing
D. Best for pH testing
Correct Answer: A. Best for protein and nitrates
RATIONALE
First morning urine is most concentrated and provides the best specimen for detecting protein
and nitrates.
, Question 7
What is the ACR Practice Guidelines for Communication of Diagnostic Imaging
Findings?
A. Promote optimal patient care while supporting the provider, tailored for timeliness,
minimize communication errors
B. Only promote optimal patient care
C. Only minimize communication errors
D. Only support the provider
Correct Answer:
A. Promote optimal patient care while supporting the provider, tailored for
timeliness, minimize communication errors
RATIONALE
The ACR guidelines emphasize effective communication that promotes optimal patient care,
supports the provider, is tailored for timeliness, and minimizes communication errors.
Question 8
What are blood studies used for?
A. Establish diagnosis, rule out clinical problems, monitor therapy, establish prognosis, screen
for disease
B. Only establish diagnosis
C. Only monitor therapy
D. Only screen for disease
Correct Answer:
A. Establish diagnosis, rule out clinical problems, monitor therapy, establish
prognosis, screen for disease
RATIONALE
Blood studies serve multiple purposes: establishing diagnosis, ruling out clinical problems,
monitoring therapy, establishing prognosis, and screening for disease.
