NR576 / NR 576 Final Exam ( Newly
Updated): Differential Diagnosis in Adult-
Gerontology Primary Care | Guide with Verified
Answers – Chamberlain
Section 1: Cardiovascular Differential Diagnosis (Questions
1–15)
1. A 60-year-old male presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, relieved by rest.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Angina pectoris
Rationale: Exertional chest pain radiating to the arm, relieved by rest, is classic for
angina, indicating myocardial ischemia, per McPhee Ch. 10.
2. What diagnostic test confirms suspected angina?
Stress electrocardiogram
Rationale: A stress ECG detects ischemic changes during exercise, confirming angina,
per AHA guidelines.
3. A 70-year-old female reports dyspnea and leg swelling. What is a likely diagnosis?
Heart failure
Rationale: Dyspnea and peripheral edema suggest heart failure, common in older adults,
per McPhee Ch. 10.
4. What physical exam finding supports heart failure?
Jugular venous distension
, Rationale: JVD indicates increased venous pressure, a hallmark of heart failure, per
McPhee Ch. 10.
5. A 55-year-old male presents with sudden chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Acute chest pain with autonomic symptoms suggests MI, requiring urgent
evaluation, per AHA guidelines.
6. What lab test confirms myocardial infarction?
Troponin levels
Rationale: Elevated troponin indicates myocardial injury, per McPhee Ch. 10.
7. A 65-year-old female reports palpitations and irregular pulse. What is a likely diagnosis?
Atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Palpitations with an irregular pulse suggest atrial fibrillation, common in
older adults, per McPhee Ch. 10.
8. What diagnostic test confirms atrial fibrillation?
Electrocardiogram
Rationale: An ECG showing irregular R-R intervals confirms atrial fibrillation, per AHA
guidelines.
9. A 50-year-old male presents with leg pain on walking, relieved by rest. What is the likely
diagnosis?
Peripheral artery disease
Updated): Differential Diagnosis in Adult-
Gerontology Primary Care | Guide with Verified
Answers – Chamberlain
Section 1: Cardiovascular Differential Diagnosis (Questions
1–15)
1. A 60-year-old male presents with chest pain radiating to the left arm, relieved by rest.
What is the most likely diagnosis?
Angina pectoris
Rationale: Exertional chest pain radiating to the arm, relieved by rest, is classic for
angina, indicating myocardial ischemia, per McPhee Ch. 10.
2. What diagnostic test confirms suspected angina?
Stress electrocardiogram
Rationale: A stress ECG detects ischemic changes during exercise, confirming angina,
per AHA guidelines.
3. A 70-year-old female reports dyspnea and leg swelling. What is a likely diagnosis?
Heart failure
Rationale: Dyspnea and peripheral edema suggest heart failure, common in older adults,
per McPhee Ch. 10.
4. What physical exam finding supports heart failure?
Jugular venous distension
, Rationale: JVD indicates increased venous pressure, a hallmark of heart failure, per
McPhee Ch. 10.
5. A 55-year-old male presents with sudden chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea. What is the
most likely diagnosis?
Myocardial infarction
Rationale: Acute chest pain with autonomic symptoms suggests MI, requiring urgent
evaluation, per AHA guidelines.
6. What lab test confirms myocardial infarction?
Troponin levels
Rationale: Elevated troponin indicates myocardial injury, per McPhee Ch. 10.
7. A 65-year-old female reports palpitations and irregular pulse. What is a likely diagnosis?
Atrial fibrillation
Rationale: Palpitations with an irregular pulse suggest atrial fibrillation, common in
older adults, per McPhee Ch. 10.
8. What diagnostic test confirms atrial fibrillation?
Electrocardiogram
Rationale: An ECG showing irregular R-R intervals confirms atrial fibrillation, per AHA
guidelines.
9. A 50-year-old male presents with leg pain on walking, relieved by rest. What is the likely
diagnosis?
Peripheral artery disease
