NR.400.712
Diagnostic Skills & Procedures for
APN
LATEST MIDTERM EXAM
GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: Which diagnostic test is most
appropriate for identifying acute pancreatitis in a patient
presenting with abdominal pain and nausea?
A) Serum amylase
B) Complete blood count (CBC)
C) Urinalysis
D) Liver function tests
Correct Answer: A) Serum amylase
Rationale: Serum amylase levels increase in acute
pancreatitis, making it the most appropriate diagnostic test
for this condition.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank: The ________ sign is a clinical indicator
of deep vein thrombosis where pain is elicited in the calf
upon dorsiflexion of the foot.
Correct Answer: Homan's
Rationale: Homan's sign can indicate the presence of
deep vein thrombosis, although it is not a definitive
diagnostic tool.
3. True/False: A positive Murphy's sign is indicative of
cholecystitis.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Murphy's sign is the elicitation of pain upon
palpation of the right subcostal area during inspiration,
which is indicative of cholecystitis.
4. Multiple Response: Select all the following symptoms that
are common presentations of hyperglycemia. (Select all that
apply)
A) Polyuria
B) Polydipsia
©2024/2025
, C) Weight gain
D) Blurred vision
Correct Answers: A) Polyuria, B) Polydipsia, D) Blurred
vision
Rationale: Polyuria, polydipsia, and blurred vision are
common symptoms of hyperglycemia, while weight gain is
not typically associated.
5. Multiple Choice: In assessing a patient with suspected
myocardial infarction, which enzyme level would be most
indicative of cardiac damage?
A) Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
B) Alanine transaminase (ALT)
C) Aspartate transaminase (AST)
D) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Correct Answer: A) Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
Rationale: CK-MB is an enzyme found in the heart muscle
and is a marker of myocardial infarction.
6. Fill-in-the-Blank: The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells is
a diagnostic marker for ________.
Correct Answer: Hodgkin's lymphoma
Rationale: Reed-Sternberg cells are characteristic of
Hodgkin's lymphoma and are used in its diagnosis.
7. True/False: Kussmaul respirations are a compensatory
mechanism in metabolic acidosis.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored
breaths that are a body's compensatory mechanism to
correct the acid-base balance in metabolic acidosis.
8. Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered
©2024/2025
Diagnostic Skills & Procedures for
APN
LATEST MIDTERM EXAM
GUIDE
Q&S
©2024/2025
,1. Multiple Choice: Which diagnostic test is most
appropriate for identifying acute pancreatitis in a patient
presenting with abdominal pain and nausea?
A) Serum amylase
B) Complete blood count (CBC)
C) Urinalysis
D) Liver function tests
Correct Answer: A) Serum amylase
Rationale: Serum amylase levels increase in acute
pancreatitis, making it the most appropriate diagnostic test
for this condition.
2. Fill-in-the-Blank: The ________ sign is a clinical indicator
of deep vein thrombosis where pain is elicited in the calf
upon dorsiflexion of the foot.
Correct Answer: Homan's
Rationale: Homan's sign can indicate the presence of
deep vein thrombosis, although it is not a definitive
diagnostic tool.
3. True/False: A positive Murphy's sign is indicative of
cholecystitis.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Murphy's sign is the elicitation of pain upon
palpation of the right subcostal area during inspiration,
which is indicative of cholecystitis.
4. Multiple Response: Select all the following symptoms that
are common presentations of hyperglycemia. (Select all that
apply)
A) Polyuria
B) Polydipsia
©2024/2025
, C) Weight gain
D) Blurred vision
Correct Answers: A) Polyuria, B) Polydipsia, D) Blurred
vision
Rationale: Polyuria, polydipsia, and blurred vision are
common symptoms of hyperglycemia, while weight gain is
not typically associated.
5. Multiple Choice: In assessing a patient with suspected
myocardial infarction, which enzyme level would be most
indicative of cardiac damage?
A) Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
B) Alanine transaminase (ALT)
C) Aspartate transaminase (AST)
D) Alkaline phosphatase (ALP)
Correct Answer: A) Creatine kinase-MB (CK-MB)
Rationale: CK-MB is an enzyme found in the heart muscle
and is a marker of myocardial infarction.
6. Fill-in-the-Blank: The presence of Reed-Sternberg cells is
a diagnostic marker for ________.
Correct Answer: Hodgkin's lymphoma
Rationale: Reed-Sternberg cells are characteristic of
Hodgkin's lymphoma and are used in its diagnosis.
7. True/False: Kussmaul respirations are a compensatory
mechanism in metabolic acidosis.
Correct Answer: True
Rationale: Kussmaul respirations are deep, labored
breaths that are a body's compensatory mechanism to
correct the acid-base balance in metabolic acidosis.
8. Multiple Response: Which of the following are considered
©2024/2025
