NR 603
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis
Cardiovascular and Endocrine Emergencies
Dermatology and Mental Health,
150 High-Yield Exam Questions and Answers
Chamberlain University
What are the classic physical exam findings of a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER-
Tracheal deviation away from the affected side, absent breath sounds, and
hyperresonance.
What is the immediate management for a suspected tension pneumothorax? -
ANSWER-Immediate needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion.
What signs characterize a thyroid storm or hyperthyroid crisis? - ANSWER-Fever,
tachycardia, altered mental status, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
What is the initial pharmacological treatment for a thyroid storm? - ANSWER-PTU,
beta-blockers like propranolol, and systemic corticosteroids.
How do patients with a retinal detachment typically describe their vision? -
ANSWER-Sudden onset of flashing lights, floaters, and a curtain-like shadow.
What diagnostic modality confirms a retinal detachment? - ANSWER-Dilated indirect
ophthalmoscopy or urgent ocular ultrasound.
What is a major cardiovascular risk of untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma? -
ANSWER-Permanent vision loss if intraocular pressure is not lowered urgently.
What physical exam sign suggests epiglottitis in an adult? - ANSWER-Stridor,
drooling, severe sore throat, and the tripod position.
What is the hallmark finding on a soft tissue lateral neck X-ray in epiglottitis? -
ANSWER-The thumbprint sign representing an enlarged epiglottis.
What is the clinical presentation of cauda equina syndrome? - ANSWER-New-onset
urinary retention, saddle anesthesia, and severe lower back pain.
Why is cauda equina syndrome considered a surgical emergency? - ANSWER-To
, prevent permanent paralysis and irreversible bowel/bladder dysfunction.
What triad suggests an ectopic pregnancy rupture? - ANSWER-Abdominal pain,
amenorrhea, and vaginal bleeding.
What test is critical when evaluating acute abdominal pain in a female of
childbearing age? - ANSWER-A serum or urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
test.
What physical exam finding is pathognomonic for appendicitis with localized
peritonitis? - ANSWER-Contralateral rebound tenderness or Rovsing's sign.
What is the classic presentation of a testicular torsion? - ANSWER-Acute, severe
testicular pain, absent cremasteric reflex, and a high-riding testis.
What is the primary mechanism of action for GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetes? -
ANSWER-Stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slowing gastric
emptying.
What is a major black-box warning for GLP-1 receptor agonists? - ANSWER-Risk of
thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies.
What lab findings differentiate primary hypothyroidism from secondary
hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Primary shows high TSH and low free T4; secondary
shows low/normal TSH and low T4.
What are the common clinical manifestations of chronic hypothyroidism? -
ANSWER-Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry skin.
What autoantibody is most specific for Hashimoto's thyroiditis? - ANSWER-Anti-
thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.
What autoantibody is linked to Graves' disease? - ANSWER-Thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulin (TSI) antibodies.
What symptom distinguishes Graves' disease from other causes of
hyperthyroidism? - ANSWER-Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema.
What is myxedema coma? - ANSWER-A severe, life-threatening complication of
long-standing, untreated hypothyroidism.
What treatment is indicated for myxedema coma? - ANSWER-IV levothyroxine, IV
hydrocortisone, and supportive care.
What is the preferred initial medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus? - ANSWER-
Metformin.
What lab parameter must be monitored regularly in patients taking metformin? -
Advanced Clinical Diagnosis
Cardiovascular and Endocrine Emergencies
Dermatology and Mental Health,
150 High-Yield Exam Questions and Answers
Chamberlain University
What are the classic physical exam findings of a tension pneumothorax? - ANSWER-
Tracheal deviation away from the affected side, absent breath sounds, and
hyperresonance.
What is the immediate management for a suspected tension pneumothorax? -
ANSWER-Immediate needle decompression followed by chest tube insertion.
What signs characterize a thyroid storm or hyperthyroid crisis? - ANSWER-Fever,
tachycardia, altered mental status, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
What is the initial pharmacological treatment for a thyroid storm? - ANSWER-PTU,
beta-blockers like propranolol, and systemic corticosteroids.
How do patients with a retinal detachment typically describe their vision? -
ANSWER-Sudden onset of flashing lights, floaters, and a curtain-like shadow.
What diagnostic modality confirms a retinal detachment? - ANSWER-Dilated indirect
ophthalmoscopy or urgent ocular ultrasound.
What is a major cardiovascular risk of untreated acute angle-closure glaucoma? -
ANSWER-Permanent vision loss if intraocular pressure is not lowered urgently.
What physical exam sign suggests epiglottitis in an adult? - ANSWER-Stridor,
drooling, severe sore throat, and the tripod position.
What is the hallmark finding on a soft tissue lateral neck X-ray in epiglottitis? -
ANSWER-The thumbprint sign representing an enlarged epiglottis.
What is the clinical presentation of cauda equina syndrome? - ANSWER-New-onset
urinary retention, saddle anesthesia, and severe lower back pain.
Why is cauda equina syndrome considered a surgical emergency? - ANSWER-To
, prevent permanent paralysis and irreversible bowel/bladder dysfunction.
What triad suggests an ectopic pregnancy rupture? - ANSWER-Abdominal pain,
amenorrhea, and vaginal bleeding.
What test is critical when evaluating acute abdominal pain in a female of
childbearing age? - ANSWER-A serum or urine human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
test.
What physical exam finding is pathognomonic for appendicitis with localized
peritonitis? - ANSWER-Contralateral rebound tenderness or Rovsing's sign.
What is the classic presentation of a testicular torsion? - ANSWER-Acute, severe
testicular pain, absent cremasteric reflex, and a high-riding testis.
What is the primary mechanism of action for GLP-1 receptor agonists in diabetes? -
ANSWER-Stimulating glucose-dependent insulin secretion and slowing gastric
emptying.
What is a major black-box warning for GLP-1 receptor agonists? - ANSWER-Risk of
thyroid C-cell tumors based on rodent studies.
What lab findings differentiate primary hypothyroidism from secondary
hypothyroidism? - ANSWER-Primary shows high TSH and low free T4; secondary
shows low/normal TSH and low T4.
What are the common clinical manifestations of chronic hypothyroidism? -
ANSWER-Fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, constipation, and dry skin.
What autoantibody is most specific for Hashimoto's thyroiditis? - ANSWER-Anti-
thyroid peroxidase (anti-TPO) antibodies.
What autoantibody is linked to Graves' disease? - ANSWER-Thyroid-stimulating
immunoglobulin (TSI) antibodies.
What symptom distinguishes Graves' disease from other causes of
hyperthyroidism? - ANSWER-Exophthalmos and pretibial myxedema.
What is myxedema coma? - ANSWER-A severe, life-threatening complication of
long-standing, untreated hypothyroidism.
What treatment is indicated for myxedema coma? - ANSWER-IV levothyroxine, IV
hydrocortisone, and supportive care.
What is the preferred initial medication for type 2 diabetes mellitus? - ANSWER-
Metformin.
What lab parameter must be monitored regularly in patients taking metformin? -
