FINAL EXAM: NR569 DIFFERENTIAL
DIAGNOSIS IN ACUTE CARE PRACTICUM,
(LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATE) WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
Chamberlain | Acute Care Practicum
✔ Multiple Choice
✔ Correct Answers Identified
✔ Deep Clinical Rationales
AT CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
OF NURSING.
PART 1: QUESTIONS 1–25
Question 1
Which medications are first-line treatment for allergic rhinitis?
A. First-generation antihistamines and oral steroids
B. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids
C. Antibiotics and leukotriene inhibitors
D. Systemic steroids only
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Second-generation antihistamines are preferred due to fewer sedative effects. Intranasal corticosteroids are
the most effective therapy for allergic rhinitis because they reduce inflammation. Systemic steroids are not
recommended due to adverse effects.
Question 2
,Which medication should NOT be routinely prescribed for allergic rhinitis?
A. Loratadine
B. Cetirizine
C. Fluticasone nasal spray
D. Prednisone
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated for uncomplicated allergic rhinitis due to significant side effects.
Local therapies provide adequate symptom control with fewer risks. Oral steroids may be reserved for severe
refractory cases only.
Question 3
The primary treatment for lateral epicondylitis includes:
A. Surgery
B. Corticosteroid injection only
C. Rest, NSAIDs, and activity modification
D. Antibiotic therapy
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Epicondylitis is caused by overuse and repetitive motion. Conservative therapy including rest, NSAIDs,
bracing, and activity modification is first-line. Surgery is reserved for refractory cases.
Question 4
Which occupational activity increases the risk for epicondylitis?
A. Typing
B. Repetitive wrist extension
C. Standing for long periods
D. Walking
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Repetitive wrist extension strains the extensor tendons at the lateral epicondyle. This leads to inflammation
and pain. Occupational and ergonomic modification is critical for recovery.
,Question 5
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of which nerve?
A. Radial nerve
B. Ulnar nerve
C. Median nerve
D. Axillary nerve
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel. Compression causes numbness and tingling in the thumb,
index, middle, and part of the ring finger. The little finger is spared.
Question 6
Which symptom is most characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Weak grip strength only
B. Numbness of the little finger
C. Nocturnal hand paresthesias
D. Wrist swelling
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Patients commonly report nighttime numbness and tingling due to wrist flexion during sleep. The little finger
is unaffected, helping differentiate from ulnar neuropathy.
Question 7
A positive Phalen test indicates which condition?
A. Trigger finger
B. De Quervain tenosynovitis
C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
D. Epicondylitis
✅ Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Phalen’s test reproduces median nerve compression symptoms. A positive test causes numbness or tingling
in the median nerve distribution. It is diagnostic for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 8
Which physical exam finding confirms trigger finger?
A. Pain with wrist ulnar deviation
B. Palmar nodule at MCP joint
C. Positive Tinel sign
D. Thumb weakness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Trigger finger presents with a palpable nodule at the MCP joint. The finger locks or catches during
extension. This is caused by flexor tendon inflammation.
Question 9
Which digit is most commonly affected by trigger finger?
A. Thumb only
B. Index finger
C. Middle and ring fingers
D. Little finger
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The middle and ring fingers are most frequently affected. Repetitive gripping contributes to tendon sheath
inflammation. Any finger may be involved.
Question 10
Which tendon is involved in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
A. Flexor digitorum profundus
B. Extensor carpi radialis
C. Abductor pollicis longus
D. Lumbrical tendons
DIAGNOSIS IN ACUTE CARE PRACTICUM,
(LATEST 2026/2027 UPDATE) WITH
CORRECT/ACCURATE ANSWERS
Chamberlain | Acute Care Practicum
✔ Multiple Choice
✔ Correct Answers Identified
✔ Deep Clinical Rationales
AT CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY COLLEGE
OF NURSING.
PART 1: QUESTIONS 1–25
Question 1
Which medications are first-line treatment for allergic rhinitis?
A. First-generation antihistamines and oral steroids
B. Second-generation oral antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids
C. Antibiotics and leukotriene inhibitors
D. Systemic steroids only
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Second-generation antihistamines are preferred due to fewer sedative effects. Intranasal corticosteroids are
the most effective therapy for allergic rhinitis because they reduce inflammation. Systemic steroids are not
recommended due to adverse effects.
Question 2
,Which medication should NOT be routinely prescribed for allergic rhinitis?
A. Loratadine
B. Cetirizine
C. Fluticasone nasal spray
D. Prednisone
✅ Correct Answer: D
Rationale:
Systemic corticosteroids are not indicated for uncomplicated allergic rhinitis due to significant side effects.
Local therapies provide adequate symptom control with fewer risks. Oral steroids may be reserved for severe
refractory cases only.
Question 3
The primary treatment for lateral epicondylitis includes:
A. Surgery
B. Corticosteroid injection only
C. Rest, NSAIDs, and activity modification
D. Antibiotic therapy
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Epicondylitis is caused by overuse and repetitive motion. Conservative therapy including rest, NSAIDs,
bracing, and activity modification is first-line. Surgery is reserved for refractory cases.
Question 4
Which occupational activity increases the risk for epicondylitis?
A. Typing
B. Repetitive wrist extension
C. Standing for long periods
D. Walking
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Repetitive wrist extension strains the extensor tendons at the lateral epicondyle. This leads to inflammation
and pain. Occupational and ergonomic modification is critical for recovery.
,Question 5
Carpal tunnel syndrome results from compression of which nerve?
A. Radial nerve
B. Ulnar nerve
C. Median nerve
D. Axillary nerve
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The median nerve passes through the carpal tunnel. Compression causes numbness and tingling in the thumb,
index, middle, and part of the ring finger. The little finger is spared.
Question 6
Which symptom is most characteristic of carpal tunnel syndrome?
A. Weak grip strength only
B. Numbness of the little finger
C. Nocturnal hand paresthesias
D. Wrist swelling
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
Patients commonly report nighttime numbness and tingling due to wrist flexion during sleep. The little finger
is unaffected, helping differentiate from ulnar neuropathy.
Question 7
A positive Phalen test indicates which condition?
A. Trigger finger
B. De Quervain tenosynovitis
C. Carpal tunnel syndrome
D. Epicondylitis
✅ Correct Answer: C
, Rationale:
Phalen’s test reproduces median nerve compression symptoms. A positive test causes numbness or tingling
in the median nerve distribution. It is diagnostic for carpal tunnel syndrome.
Question 8
Which physical exam finding confirms trigger finger?
A. Pain with wrist ulnar deviation
B. Palmar nodule at MCP joint
C. Positive Tinel sign
D. Thumb weakness
✅ Correct Answer: B
Rationale:
Trigger finger presents with a palpable nodule at the MCP joint. The finger locks or catches during
extension. This is caused by flexor tendon inflammation.
Question 9
Which digit is most commonly affected by trigger finger?
A. Thumb only
B. Index finger
C. Middle and ring fingers
D. Little finger
✅ Correct Answer: C
Rationale:
The middle and ring fingers are most frequently affected. Repetitive gripping contributes to tendon sheath
inflammation. Any finger may be involved.
Question 10
Which tendon is involved in De Quervain’s tenosynovitis?
A. Flexor digitorum profundus
B. Extensor carpi radialis
C. Abductor pollicis longus
D. Lumbrical tendons
