NKU MSN 610 MODULE 1 ACTUAL PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ subjective data.
Answer: what the pt tells you
◉ chief complaint.
Answer: what the pt came in for
-very brief, may use quotations when documenting
◉ history of present illness (HPI).
Answer: -history leading up to the complaint and circumstances of
the complaint; be detailed!
-OLD CART(S) (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Treatment, Severity)
◉ subjective data continued.
Answer: -Past medical history (PMH)
-Past surgical history (PSH)
,-Health Maintenance
-Medication list
-Allergies
-Family History
-Social History
◉ review of systems.
Answer: -organized by body systems, pertinent positives and
negatives
-ex) general: (-)fever, (+) weight gain, (-) fatigue, (+) increased
appetite
◉ objective data.
Answer: -what the provider observes
-what is seen, felt, heard, smelled, NOT the pt's POV
-vital signs, including weight, height, BMI
-physical examination (depends on pt complaint)
-pediatrics: requires patience and distraction, sitting in parent's lap
can be helpful, examine the area most upsetting last
◉ objective data continued.
Answer: -lab, x-ray, scans, spirometry, etc.
, -consider which test is best: cost, convenience, sensitivity/specificity
-Do you need a test? Will it make a difference in tx? What is the risk
of missing the diagnosis?
◉ differential diagnosis.
Answer: -consider all the possible diagnoses for the symptom
-frame the differential diagnoses (can use the ones that make the
most sense for that complaint)
-look at the evidence you have collected in order to rule out possible
diagnoses
-explore each differential (use exam to find evidence: pos findings
may be more indicative of the diagnosis bc of greater specificity; neg
findings may be less indicative but are still important and
contributes evidence for ruling out a differential, also evidence that
it WAS evaluated and considered)
◉ differential diagnosis framework.
Answer: -anatomic framework (works well for chest pain, abd. pain)
-organ/system framework (works well for broad symptoms like
fatigue)
-pivotal points (opposing descriptor of symptoms, "old vs. new",
"bilateral vs. unilateral", "acute vs. chronic")
◉ limiting differentials.
2026 QUESTIONS WITH SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ subjective data.
Answer: what the pt tells you
◉ chief complaint.
Answer: what the pt came in for
-very brief, may use quotations when documenting
◉ history of present illness (HPI).
Answer: -history leading up to the complaint and circumstances of
the complaint; be detailed!
-OLD CART(S) (Onset, Location, Duration, Character, Aggravating
factors, Relieving factors, Treatment, Severity)
◉ subjective data continued.
Answer: -Past medical history (PMH)
-Past surgical history (PSH)
,-Health Maintenance
-Medication list
-Allergies
-Family History
-Social History
◉ review of systems.
Answer: -organized by body systems, pertinent positives and
negatives
-ex) general: (-)fever, (+) weight gain, (-) fatigue, (+) increased
appetite
◉ objective data.
Answer: -what the provider observes
-what is seen, felt, heard, smelled, NOT the pt's POV
-vital signs, including weight, height, BMI
-physical examination (depends on pt complaint)
-pediatrics: requires patience and distraction, sitting in parent's lap
can be helpful, examine the area most upsetting last
◉ objective data continued.
Answer: -lab, x-ray, scans, spirometry, etc.
, -consider which test is best: cost, convenience, sensitivity/specificity
-Do you need a test? Will it make a difference in tx? What is the risk
of missing the diagnosis?
◉ differential diagnosis.
Answer: -consider all the possible diagnoses for the symptom
-frame the differential diagnoses (can use the ones that make the
most sense for that complaint)
-look at the evidence you have collected in order to rule out possible
diagnoses
-explore each differential (use exam to find evidence: pos findings
may be more indicative of the diagnosis bc of greater specificity; neg
findings may be less indicative but are still important and
contributes evidence for ruling out a differential, also evidence that
it WAS evaluated and considered)
◉ differential diagnosis framework.
Answer: -anatomic framework (works well for chest pain, abd. pain)
-organ/system framework (works well for broad symptoms like
fatigue)
-pivotal points (opposing descriptor of symptoms, "old vs. new",
"bilateral vs. unilateral", "acute vs. chronic")
◉ limiting differentials.
