NR511 CEA Exam (2025-2026 UPDATE) -
150 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
Based on the most current NR511 CEA (Cumulative Exam Assessment) materials
for Chamberlain University's Differential Diagnosis & Primary Care Practicum, I
have compiled 150 practice questions with verified answers and rationales to help
you prepare for the exam.
SECTION 1: CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING & DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS (Questions
1-30)
QUESTION 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pressure radiating to the left arm,
diaphoresis, and nausea that began 30 minutes ago while shoveling snow. What is
the most appropriate initial action?
• A) Obtain a detailed cardiac history
• B) Administer aspirin 324 mg PO
• C) Activate EMS for immediate transport
• D) Perform an EKG in the office
Exact answer:C — Activate EMS for immediate transport
Rationate:This presentation is consistent with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Immediate activation of emergency medical services is the priority to ensure rapid
transport and treatment. While aspirin and EKG are important, they should not
delay EMS activation.
QUESTION 2
A 65-year-old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain
radiating to the back. Blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg in the right arm and
100/60 mm Hg in the left arm. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, • A) Acute myocardial infarction
• B) Pulmonary embolism
• C) Aortic dissection
• D) Pericarditis
Exact answer:C — Aortic dissection
Rationate:The classic presentation of aortic dissection includes severe, tearing
chest pain radiating to the back, often with a pulse deficit or blood pressure
discrepancy between the arms. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate imaging and surgical consultation.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of creating a differential diagnosis list?
• A) To confirm the final diagnosis
• B) To list all possible diagnoses without prioritization
• C) To systematically consider and prioritize potential diagnoses
• D) To document patient symptoms only
Exact answer:C — To systematically consider and prioritize potential diagnoses
Rationate:A differential diagnosis list helps the clinician systematically consider all
possible diagnoses and prioritize them based on likelihood, severity, and
treatability. This structured approach reduces the risk of missing a serious
condition.
QUESTION 4
A 30-year-old female presents with acute, sharp chest pain that worsens with
inspiration and improves when leaning forward. She reports a recent upper
respiratory infection. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, • A) Acute myocardial infarction
• B) Pericarditis
• C) Pulmonary embolism
• D) Costochondritis
Exact answer:B — Pericarditis
Rationate:Pericarditis commonly presents with sharp, pleuritic chest pain that
worsens with inspiration and improves when leaning forward. It often follows a
viral illness. The lack of cardiac risk factors and the positional nature of the pain
help distinguish it from ACS.
QUESTION 5
A 35-year-old female presents with episodic vertigo described as "the room
spinning" lasting several hours. The vertigo is accompanied by nausea and hearing
loss in the left ear. Which diagnosis is most likely?
• A) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• B) Meniere's disease
• C) Vestibular neuritis
• D) Cerebellar stroke
Exact answer:B — Meniere's disease
Rationate:Meniere's disease is characterized by episodic vertigo lasting hours,
accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. BPPV
typically lasts seconds to minutes and is triggered by positional changes.
Vestibular neuritis presents with acute onset severe vertigo lasting days without
hearing loss.
, QUESTION 6
A 60-year-old male presents with dizziness described as "feeling like I might pass
out." He reports it occurs when standing up quickly. Which term best describes
this symptom?
• A) Vertigo
• B) Presyncope
• C) Disequilibrium
• D) Lightheadedness
Exact answer:B — Presyncope
Rationate:Presyncope is the sensation of feeling faint or about to pass out without
actual loss of consciousness. It often occurs with orthostatic hypotension. Vertigo
is a false sense of motion, disequilibrium refers to imbalance or unsteadiness.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is a "red flag" symptom in a patient presenting with
headache?
• A) Gradual onset over hours
• B) Bilateral throbbing pain
• C) Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
• D) Pain that improves with rest
Exact answer:C — Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
Rationate:A sudden onset "thunderclap" headache (reaching maximum intensity
within seconds to minutes) is a red flag that may indicate subarachnoid
hemorrhage or other serious intracranial pathology. It requires immediate
evaluation.
150 Practice Questions with Verified Answers
Based on the most current NR511 CEA (Cumulative Exam Assessment) materials
for Chamberlain University's Differential Diagnosis & Primary Care Practicum, I
have compiled 150 practice questions with verified answers and rationales to help
you prepare for the exam.
SECTION 1: CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING & DIFFERENTIAL DIAGNOSIS (Questions
1-30)
QUESTION 1
A 45-year-old male presents with chest pressure radiating to the left arm,
diaphoresis, and nausea that began 30 minutes ago while shoveling snow. What is
the most appropriate initial action?
• A) Obtain a detailed cardiac history
• B) Administer aspirin 324 mg PO
• C) Activate EMS for immediate transport
• D) Perform an EKG in the office
Exact answer:C — Activate EMS for immediate transport
Rationate:This presentation is consistent with acute coronary syndrome (ACS).
Immediate activation of emergency medical services is the priority to ensure rapid
transport and treatment. While aspirin and EKG are important, they should not
delay EMS activation.
QUESTION 2
A 65-year-old female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain
radiating to the back. Blood pressure is 160/90 mm Hg in the right arm and
100/60 mm Hg in the left arm. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, • A) Acute myocardial infarction
• B) Pulmonary embolism
• C) Aortic dissection
• D) Pericarditis
Exact answer:C — Aortic dissection
Rationate:The classic presentation of aortic dissection includes severe, tearing
chest pain radiating to the back, often with a pulse deficit or blood pressure
discrepancy between the arms. This is a life-threatening emergency requiring
immediate imaging and surgical consultation.
QUESTION 3
What is the primary purpose of creating a differential diagnosis list?
• A) To confirm the final diagnosis
• B) To list all possible diagnoses without prioritization
• C) To systematically consider and prioritize potential diagnoses
• D) To document patient symptoms only
Exact answer:C — To systematically consider and prioritize potential diagnoses
Rationate:A differential diagnosis list helps the clinician systematically consider all
possible diagnoses and prioritize them based on likelihood, severity, and
treatability. This structured approach reduces the risk of missing a serious
condition.
QUESTION 4
A 30-year-old female presents with acute, sharp chest pain that worsens with
inspiration and improves when leaning forward. She reports a recent upper
respiratory infection. What is the most likely diagnosis?
, • A) Acute myocardial infarction
• B) Pericarditis
• C) Pulmonary embolism
• D) Costochondritis
Exact answer:B — Pericarditis
Rationate:Pericarditis commonly presents with sharp, pleuritic chest pain that
worsens with inspiration and improves when leaning forward. It often follows a
viral illness. The lack of cardiac risk factors and the positional nature of the pain
help distinguish it from ACS.
QUESTION 5
A 35-year-old female presents with episodic vertigo described as "the room
spinning" lasting several hours. The vertigo is accompanied by nausea and hearing
loss in the left ear. Which diagnosis is most likely?
• A) Benign Paroxysmal Positional Vertigo (BPPV)
• B) Meniere's disease
• C) Vestibular neuritis
• D) Cerebellar stroke
Exact answer:B — Meniere's disease
Rationate:Meniere's disease is characterized by episodic vertigo lasting hours,
accompanied by sensorineural hearing loss, tinnitus, and aural fullness. BPPV
typically lasts seconds to minutes and is triggered by positional changes.
Vestibular neuritis presents with acute onset severe vertigo lasting days without
hearing loss.
, QUESTION 6
A 60-year-old male presents with dizziness described as "feeling like I might pass
out." He reports it occurs when standing up quickly. Which term best describes
this symptom?
• A) Vertigo
• B) Presyncope
• C) Disequilibrium
• D) Lightheadedness
Exact answer:B — Presyncope
Rationate:Presyncope is the sensation of feeling faint or about to pass out without
actual loss of consciousness. It often occurs with orthostatic hypotension. Vertigo
is a false sense of motion, disequilibrium refers to imbalance or unsteadiness.
QUESTION 7
Which of the following is a "red flag" symptom in a patient presenting with
headache?
• A) Gradual onset over hours
• B) Bilateral throbbing pain
• C) Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
• D) Pain that improves with rest
Exact answer:C — Sudden onset "thunderclap" headache
Rationate:A sudden onset "thunderclap" headache (reaching maximum intensity
within seconds to minutes) is a red flag that may indicate subarachnoid
hemorrhage or other serious intracranial pathology. It requires immediate
evaluation.
