2 MODULE 4, 7, 17, 18, 19, 20 LATEST 177 COMPREHENSIVE ACTUAL EXAM
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT DETAILED ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+
Unless a life-threatening situation exists, the best guide to determining the priority for the
patient's condition should be based on:
A. intuition.
B. probability and utility.
C. the use of algorithms.
D. the examiner's initial favorite hypothesis.
B Probability and utility should always be your guides to sequencing your actions, unless a life-
threatening situation exists.
Mrs. Bowers is a 38-year-old patient who presents to your office for a routine examination. The
ability of an observation to identify correctly those who have a disease is the definition of:
A. specificity.
B. sensitivity.
C. certainty.
D. positive predictive value.
B: Sensitivity is the ability of an observation to identify correctly those who have a disease.
If an individual is suspected of having a specific condition, the condition is in fact present, and a
laboratory test confirms its presence, then the outcome of the laboratory test is identified as a(n):
A. true positive.
B. absolute positive.
C. false positive.
D. sensitive positive.
A: A true positive is an expected observation that is found when the disease characterized by that
observation is present.
Which of the following should be considered when determining a need for additional
examination, testing, or procedures?
A. These should be done to obtain as much data as possible.
B. These should be done to attempt to get data that might be associated with multiple problems.
C. These should be done only when it is absolutely necessary.
D. These should be done if they relate to the examiner's hypothesis.
,D: Clinical reasoning does not require a compulsive listing of all of the possible options in
diagnosis and management. Rather, it is dominated by hypothesis development; asking whether a
particular diagnosis should be made depending on its probability; and whether a test may be
indicated, depending on the likelihood suggested by its sensitivity and specificity
Mr. Shaken is a 46-year-old patient who presents for a routine physical examination. After you
have identified and confirmed a problem, the next step is to:
A. assess the data collected.
B. formulate a clinical opinion.
C. conduct further assessment.
D. determine the management plan.
D: Clinical reasoning is the process by which the information gathered from the history and
physical examination is merged with clinical knowledge, experience, and the current best
evidence to formulate the next steps in patient care—development of the diagnostic and
management plans.
The use of a computer could potentially be detrimental to the examiner because:
A. It may become a substitute for critical thinking.
B. computer dysfunction makes it unreliable.
C. the computer is limited in the amount of data it can interpret.
D. the level of skill needed to run a diagnostic computer program is beyond the computer skills
of most examiners.
A: There is an unacceptable temptation at times to substitute electronic support for critical
thinking and judgment. It is your responsibility to artfully merge subjective and objective data
with best evidence and your knowledge and experience to make a clinical judgment.
Which of the following is appropriate to use in the decision-making process but must also be
subject to critical thinking?
A. Intuition
B. Inferences
C. Divination
D. Premonitions
A: Much as you strive to be scientific and base what you do on the disciplined principles of
science, at times you will make undeniable intuitive judgments. Intuition, however, must be as
fully subject to critical thinking as any other aspect of your effort.
The indiscriminate use of technology can be minimized by recognizing that:
A. the great majority of diagnoses can be achieved with information gleaned from a competent
clinical examination.
,B. limiting the amount of time required to perform the physical examination will increase the
patient's satisfaction and reduce litigation.
C. reducing consultation and frequency of return visits will maximize patients' involvement with
their own treatment and improve compliance.
D. involving the family in treatment and follow-up will maximize use of resources and increase
satisfaction and compliance.
A: Recognize that the majority of diagnoses can be achieved with information from a competent
history and physical examination, and then limit indiscriminate use of unnecessary technology.
When developing the management plan and setting priorities, which patient factors should be
considered?
A. Age
B. Potential for recovery
C. Economic circumstances
D. All of the above
D: These considerations suggest the kind of critical judgment that helps to set priorities and
develop a management plan in collaboration with the patient.
Which ethical principle is involved when a health care provider "does no harm"?
A. Justice
B. Beneficence
C. Fairness
D. Nonmaleficence
D: Consider whether the risk is worth the potential gain in information, invoking the ethical
principle of nonmaleficence—primum non nocere, "first, do no harm."
What is meant by a deontological imperative?
A. A health care provider's duty as established by tradition and cultural context
B. Concept of "do no harm"
C. Appropriate use of resources for the good of the community
D. Right to self-determination
A: Our responsibilities for offering care are established by tradition and in cultural contexts.
The ethical principle of utilitarianism is involved:
A. when the duties of health care providers are established by tradition and cultural context.
, B. when health care providers "do no harm."
C. when decisions regarding health care include appropriate use of
resources for the good of the community. Correct
D. when the interview is conducted appropriately.
C: Utilitarianism means you should consider appropriate use of resources with concern for the
greater good of the larger community.
Which is a guideline to sound decision making?
A. The underlying problem is always related to the chief complaint.
B Rare problems tend to have unusual presentations.
C. Common problems occur commonly, whereas rare ones do not.
D. A diagnosis should be made quickly to enhance patient confidence.
C: Remember that common problems occur commonly, and rare ones do not. Common problems
can have unusual presentations and rare ones may have a seemingly common complaint.
Laboratory tests should be used to:
A. confirm a presumed diagnosis.
B. develop a list of potential problems.
C. rule out all possible causes of symptoms and clinical findings.
D. assist the examiner only when the data do not point to a specific problem.
A: After a match between the data (both subjective and objective) and a presumed diagnosis is
made, consider the appropriate laboratory or radiologic studies to confirm the diagnosis.
A problem is best identified as:
A. something that bothers the patient.
B. something that is out of the ordinary.
C. something that is unexplainable.
D. something that will need further evaluation and/or attention.
D: A problem may be defined as anything that will need further evaluation and/or attention.
Once a close match between the data and diagnosis is made, the next step in the process is to:
A. return to the physical examination and repeat certain parts to validate the presence of specific
signs.
B. consider laboratory tests/consultations necessary for further evaluation.
C. confirm the presumptive diagnosis with patient.