NR 511 FINAL EXAM STUDY GUIDE | CHAMBERLAIN NURSING
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES & VERIFIED ANSWERS
(2025 EDITION)
Q1. What does a positive Phalen's test typically indicate?
A. Pain in the elbow
B. Tingling and numbness in the first three fingers
C. Weak grip strength
D. Redness over the palm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Phalen’s test results in numbness, tingling, or pain over the median
nerve distribution (first 3 digits), suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome.
Tip: Think “Phalen = Fingers numb.”
Q2. Which lab marker is commonly used to confirm Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
A. TSH
B. Free T3
C. Anti-TPO antibodies
D. TBG
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are hallmark indicators for
Hashimoto’s.
Tip: Remember “TPO = Thyroid Problem Origin.”
Q3. During a routine physical for a 5-year-old boy, you cannot retract the foreskin. What is this
condition called?
A. Paraphimosis
B. Phimosis
C. Balanitis
D. Urethritis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be retracted over the glans
penis.
Tip: “Phimosis = Foreskin fixed.”
Q4. Sandra, a computer programmer, has just been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. What
is your next best step?
A. Refer to a hand specialist
B. Conduct a full musculoskeletal history
,C. Initiate neutral wrist splinting and NSAIDs
D. Order an EMG
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservative treatment such as wrist splinting and NSAIDs is typically first-line.
Tip: “Splint before specialist.”
Q5. A woman presents with lifelong heavy periods and hemoglobin of 11. Her ferritin is low,
TIBC is high, and MCV is 75. What’s the likely cause?
A. Thalassemia
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Sideroblastic anemia
D. Anemia of chronic disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low MCV and low ferritin with high TIBC are classic for iron deficiency.
Tip: “Iron deficiency = Micro + High TIBC.”
Q6. How soon should facial sutures be removed after a laceration repair?
A. 3–4 days
B. 4–6 days
C. 7–10 days
D. 10–14 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facial skin heals faster than other areas; hence sutures are removed earlier.
Tip: “Face = Fast heal = 4–6 days.”
Q7. A 51-year-old diabetic male with a scalp laceration receives ceftriaxone. What additional
antibiotic may be used?
A. Azithromycin
B. Cephalexin
C. Cipro
D. TMP-SMX
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalexin is commonly used for skin infections alongside ceftriaxone.
Tip: “Ceph + Ceph = Skin Safe.”
Q8. A 4-year-old boy presents with fatigue, fever, bone pain, and hepatosplenomegaly. CBC
suggests leukemia. What is your next step?
A. Monospot test
B. Ultrasound
C. Refer to pediatric oncology
D. PT/PTT and bleeding time
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Such systemic symptoms and CBC changes are red flags needing oncologist
referral.
Tip: “Bone + Bleed + Big Organs = Refer ASAP.”
Q9. A herniated lumbar disc compressing L5 is most likely to cause which finding?
A. Weak ankle dorsiflexion
B. Weak great toe extension
C. Weak great toe flexion
D. Weak ankle plantarflexion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: L5 root affects the extensor hallucis longus which controls great toe extension.
Tip: “L5 = Lift the toe.”
Q10. What is true about polycythemia?
A. Decreases at high altitude
B. Increases with age
C. More common in women
D. Decreases with age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Polycythemia is more prevalent in older adults due to increased bone marrow
production.
Tip: “Polycythemia = More blood with more birthdays.”
Q11. A 26-year-old marathon runner complains of painful muscle cramps in the calves post-run.
What’s the likely cause?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lactic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electrolyte imbalance, especially low sodium, is common after endurance
activity.
Tip: “Marathon = Sweating = Sodium loss.”
Q12. A 79-year-old man reports progressive neck stiffness, especially on the right. Radiographs
show cervical spine degeneration. Likely diagnosis?
A. Cervical disc herniation
B. Cervical spondylosis
QUESTIONS WITH RATIONALES & VERIFIED ANSWERS
(2025 EDITION)
Q1. What does a positive Phalen's test typically indicate?
A. Pain in the elbow
B. Tingling and numbness in the first three fingers
C. Weak grip strength
D. Redness over the palm
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A positive Phalen’s test results in numbness, tingling, or pain over the median
nerve distribution (first 3 digits), suggesting carpal tunnel syndrome.
Tip: Think “Phalen = Fingers numb.”
Q2. Which lab marker is commonly used to confirm Hashimoto’s thyroiditis?
A. TSH
B. Free T3
C. Anti-TPO antibodies
D. TBG
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Anti-thyroid peroxidase (TPO) antibodies are hallmark indicators for
Hashimoto’s.
Tip: Remember “TPO = Thyroid Problem Origin.”
Q3. During a routine physical for a 5-year-old boy, you cannot retract the foreskin. What is this
condition called?
A. Paraphimosis
B. Phimosis
C. Balanitis
D. Urethritis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Phimosis is a condition in which the foreskin cannot be retracted over the glans
penis.
Tip: “Phimosis = Foreskin fixed.”
Q4. Sandra, a computer programmer, has just been diagnosed with carpal tunnel syndrome. What
is your next best step?
A. Refer to a hand specialist
B. Conduct a full musculoskeletal history
,C. Initiate neutral wrist splinting and NSAIDs
D. Order an EMG
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Conservative treatment such as wrist splinting and NSAIDs is typically first-line.
Tip: “Splint before specialist.”
Q5. A woman presents with lifelong heavy periods and hemoglobin of 11. Her ferritin is low,
TIBC is high, and MCV is 75. What’s the likely cause?
A. Thalassemia
B. Iron deficiency anemia
C. Sideroblastic anemia
D. Anemia of chronic disease
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Low MCV and low ferritin with high TIBC are classic for iron deficiency.
Tip: “Iron deficiency = Micro + High TIBC.”
Q6. How soon should facial sutures be removed after a laceration repair?
A. 3–4 days
B. 4–6 days
C. 7–10 days
D. 10–14 days
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Facial skin heals faster than other areas; hence sutures are removed earlier.
Tip: “Face = Fast heal = 4–6 days.”
Q7. A 51-year-old diabetic male with a scalp laceration receives ceftriaxone. What additional
antibiotic may be used?
A. Azithromycin
B. Cephalexin
C. Cipro
D. TMP-SMX
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Cephalexin is commonly used for skin infections alongside ceftriaxone.
Tip: “Ceph + Ceph = Skin Safe.”
Q8. A 4-year-old boy presents with fatigue, fever, bone pain, and hepatosplenomegaly. CBC
suggests leukemia. What is your next step?
A. Monospot test
B. Ultrasound
C. Refer to pediatric oncology
D. PT/PTT and bleeding time
, Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Such systemic symptoms and CBC changes are red flags needing oncologist
referral.
Tip: “Bone + Bleed + Big Organs = Refer ASAP.”
Q9. A herniated lumbar disc compressing L5 is most likely to cause which finding?
A. Weak ankle dorsiflexion
B. Weak great toe extension
C. Weak great toe flexion
D. Weak ankle plantarflexion
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: L5 root affects the extensor hallucis longus which controls great toe extension.
Tip: “L5 = Lift the toe.”
Q10. What is true about polycythemia?
A. Decreases at high altitude
B. Increases with age
C. More common in women
D. Decreases with age
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Polycythemia is more prevalent in older adults due to increased bone marrow
production.
Tip: “Polycythemia = More blood with more birthdays.”
Q11. A 26-year-old marathon runner complains of painful muscle cramps in the calves post-run.
What’s the likely cause?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hyponatremia
C. Hypoglycemia
D. Lactic acidosis
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Electrolyte imbalance, especially low sodium, is common after endurance
activity.
Tip: “Marathon = Sweating = Sodium loss.”
Q12. A 79-year-old man reports progressive neck stiffness, especially on the right. Radiographs
show cervical spine degeneration. Likely diagnosis?
A. Cervical disc herniation
B. Cervical spondylosis
