NR 511 Week 1 practice questions
1. Which of the following initiatives does not fall under the National Prevention Strategy?
Diabetes Management. Reference Page 29
Tobacco Free Living
Healthy Eating
Mental and Emotional Wellbeing
2. All of the following statements about the US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) are true except?
All of the recommendations made by the USPSTF are strong recommendations. (The recommendations made by this
organization are based on a grading scale. Some of the guidelines state that they don’t have enough scientific data to
support an informed recommendation.) Reference Page 31-32
This is a private sector group without government ties.
This group makes recommendations about preventive medicine.
All of the USPSTF recommendations are considered mandatory in primary care.
3. What type of reaction following an immunization is considered serious and requires reevaluation?
Temperature greater than 103˚F. (High fever is a reason to reevaluate a patient following a vaccine. Reference Page 33
Fatigue
Temperature of 100.2˚F.
Erythema and soreness at the injection site.
4. Herbert, a 69-year-old man, comes to your office complaining of nocturia. On questioning Herbert, you find that for the past 3
months he has been getting up at least 5 times a night to void. He came in to seek help today because of his wife’s insistence that he
be checked out. When you perform the digital rectal exam, you find that his prostate protrudes 3 to 4 cm into the rectum. What grade
would you assign to Herbert’s prostate enlargement?
Grade 1 (Grade 1 enlargement is a protrusion of 1 to 2 cm.)
Grade 2 (Grade 2 enlargement is a protrusion of 2 to 3 cm)
Grade 3 (The degree of prostate enlargement is based on the amount of projection of the prostate into the rectum. The
normal prostate protrudes less than 1 cm into the rectum. A grade 3 enlargement is 3 to 4 cm. into the rectum) Reference
Page 748
Grade 4 (Grade 4 enlargement is a protrusion of greater than 4 cm)
5. Which of the following individuals should get the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine?
Jerry, who has a mild upper respiratory tract infection and is allergic to neomycin (Allergy to neomycin is a
contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
Tim, who has been on prolonged use of high-dose steroids for his chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
(Prolonged use of high-dose steroids is a contraindication to receiving the shingles vaccine)
Joan, whose husband recently had shingles and who is trying to get pregnant (Women should not get pregnant until 4
weeks after receiving the vaccination)
Joe, who has a stressful job (Joe, who has a stressful job, is a candidate for the shingles (herpes zoster) vaccine)
Reference page 134
6. As a primary care provider, which of the following topics is not typically important for adults aged 20 to 40?
Focusing on increasing lifespan. (This is typically important to patients greater than 65 years old)
Career development.
Self-image.
Family relationships.
7. Which of the following statements defines health literacy?
The level to which a patient can understand, gain access to, and make proper medical decisions.
The ability of a patient to read health pamphlets.
The extent to which a patient can travel to see a medical provider.
The ability of a patient to write in the language of the health practitioner.
8. Between ages 7 and 18, both boys and girls are immunized against the following diseases:
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, and human papillomavirus.
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, and rotavirus. (The rotavirus vaccine is given prior to age 7)
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis A. (The hepatitis A vaccine is given prior
to age 7)
Tetanus, diphtheria, pertussis, meningitis, human papillomavirus, and hepatitis C. (There is no known vaccine for Hep C yet)
9. The OLD CARTS (onset, location, duration, character, aggravating/alleviating factors, radiation, timing, severity) mnemonic is
best used in which part of your chart note?
History of present illness (The OLD CARTS mnemonic is best used to describe the patient’s symptoms in the history
of present illness)
Plan.
Diagnosis.
Physical exam.
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,10. Eileen, a 42-year-old woman, comes to your office with a chief complaint of fatigue, weight loss, and blurred vision. Eileen has
a past medical history that is negative for any chronic medical problems. You obtain a fasting chemistry panel, lipid profile, complete
blood count (CBC), and hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c). The results of the blood work show Eileen’s blood sugar elevated at 356 mg/dL,
total cholesterol elevated at 255, high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol low at 28, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol
elevated at 167, triglycerides 333, and HbA1c 12. On questioning Eileen further, you discover that both her grandmothers had adult-
onset diabetes mellitus. You diagnose type 2 diabetes mellitus. Your treatment plan should include a cholesterol-lowering agent, an
agent that lowers blood sugar, and which other class of medication?
Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor (
Studies have shown the use of ACE inhibitors in clients with diabetes, with or without hypertension, has slowed the
progression of nephropathy. You must monitor the client’s creatinine and potassium levels routinely. If the client’s renal
function does decrease, elevated potassium levels may occur. Some clinicians disagree on this approach and recommend
waiting until microalbuminuria is present before initiating an ACE inhibitor. Other clinicians feel that her A1C indicates that
she has been a diabetic for probably 10 years and would benefit from this approach)
Diuretic.
Weight loss medication (Diet and weight loss are fundamental components of diabetes management)
Beta blocker.
11. Margaret, age 29, is of medium build and 5 ft 4 in tall. You estimate that she should weigh about:
105 lb.
110 lb.
120 lb (To estimate a client’s ideal weight, use the following formula: For women older than age 25, allow 100 lb for the
first 5 ft, then add 5 lb for each inch thereafter. For men, allow 106 lb for the first 5 ft, then add 6 lb for each inch thereafter.
Multiply the number by 110% for a client with a large frame and 90% for a client with a small frame)
130 lb.
12. Susie, age 5, comes to the clinic for a well-child visit. She has not been in since she was 2. Her immunizations are up to date.
What immunizations would you give her today?
None; wait until she is 6 years old to give her her booster shots (Susie is due for diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP);
inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) between the ages of 4 and 6. There is no need
to wait until she is 6 years old)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); Haemophilus influenzae type B (Hib); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
( Susie is due for inactivated polio vaccine (IPV), in addition to DTaP and MMR. She is not due for Hib)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP) and inactivated polio vaccine (IPV) (Susie is due for measles, mumps, and
rubella (MMR), in addition to DTaP and IPV)
Diphtheria, tetanus, and pertussis (DTaP); inactivated polio vaccine (IPV); and measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR)
(Because Susie has not been in for several years, one cannot assume she will come in next year to get the immunizations that
are due between the ages of 4 and 6; therefore, this opportunity to give her needed immunizations cannot be missed.
Between the ages of 4 and 6, a child is due for DTaP, IPV, and MMR, if all other immunizations are up to date)
13. Mimi, age 52, asks why she should perform a monthly breast self-examination (BSE) when she has her mammograms on
schedule. You respond:
“If you are faithful about your annual exams and mammograms, that is enough.” (All women older than age 20 should
examine their breasts monthly)
“More breast abnormalities are picked up by mammograms than by clinical exams or BSE.” (
More than 90% of all breast abnormalities are first detected by self-examination_
“More than 90% of all breast abnormalities are first detected by self-examination.” (More than 90% of all breast
abnormalities are first detected by self-examination. All women older than age 20 should examine their breasts monthly, a
week after their period. After menopause, women should examine their breasts at the same time each month. There is
some controversy. Most women perform BSE incorrectly, thus making the significance of a positive finding questionable.
Breastcancer.org recommends a BSE be performed as a mammogram may miss a tumor)
“Self-examinations need to be performed only every other month.” (
All women older than age 20 should examine their breasts monthly)
14. Marian’s husband, Stu, age 72, has temporal arteritis. She tells you that his physician wants to perform a biopsy of the
temporal artery. She asks if there is a less invasive diagnostic test. What test do you tell her is less invasive?
Computed tomography (CT) scan (A CT scan and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) are done to detect neurological
damage from hemorrhage, tumor, cyst, edema, or myocardial infarction. These tests may also identify displacement of the
brain structures by expanding lesions. However, not all lesions can be detected by CT scan or MRI)
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) (A computed tomography (CT) scan and MRI are done to detect neurological
damage from hemorrhage, tumor, cyst, edema, or myocardial infarction. These tests may also identify displacement of the
brain structures by expanding lesions. However, not all lesions can be detected by CT scan or MRI)
Electroencephalogram (EEG) (An EEG is used to evaluate the electrical activity of the brain. It can identify seizure activity
as well as certain infectious and metabolic conditions)
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, Color duplex ultrasonography (A biopsy of the temporal artery is usually required to confirm the diagnosis of temporal
arteritis. However, color duplex ultrasonography (a combination of ultrasonography and the flow velocity determinations of
a Doppler system) has been shown to examine even small vessels, such as the superficial temporal artery, and show a halo
around the inflamed arteries when temporal arteritis is present. Therefore, it is a much less invasive procedure than biopsy)
15. Which of the following refers to an aspect of a patient’s health that can be changed or affected by a health intervention?
Modifiable risk factor (A modifiable risk factor is an aspect of a patient’s health that can be changed or affected by a health
intervention)
Nonmodifiable risk factor (A nonmodifiable risk factor is something in a patient’s health profile that cannot be changed)
Adjustable risk factor (This term does not exist in medicine)
Changeable risk factor (This term does not exist in medicine)
16. An 81-year-old patient presents for a physical. She recently had a fall and now has problems walking up her stairs. The only
restroom in the house is on the second floor. She also has a flight of stairs outside her house she has to navigate in order to reach
street level, and this is difficult for her. Where does this information belong in your chart note?
Functional health patterns (The patient is having trouble with her normal routine and daily life due to her recent fall, so
this information belongs here)
Review of systems (This section is for patient symptoms, not functional home circumstances)
Plan (While you can address these problems in the plan, this is not the place to make note of them)
Assessment (You can list her immobility as a diagnosis, but this area of the note would not be the place to note
these findings)
17. Telehealth has shown a drastic increase in utilization by patients in which of the following fields of medicine?
Psychology and psychiatry.
Pediatrics.
Primary care.
Dermatology.
18. Mark, a 56-year-old man, comes to your practice seeking help quitting smoking. You prescribe varenicline (Chantix), a
prescription medication, to aid with his attempt. What instructions do you give Mark regarding how to stop smoking with
Chantix?
Start the Chantix today according to the dosing schedule and then quit smoking after the 12-week medication schedule
(Following the 12-week medication schedule after quitting minimizes the effect of nicotine withdrawal because
Chantix works on the same receptors as nicotine)
Start the Chantix today according to the dosing schedule and then pick a date to stop smoking about 7 days after starting
Chantix (Chantix has been shown to be more effective in helping smokers quit than Zyban, another nonnicotine prescription
medicine for smoking cessation. While Chantix contains no nicotine, it works on the same receptors as nicotine. It’s the
addiction to the nicotine inhaled from smoking that makes quitting so hard. The recommended dosing schedule for Chantix is
as follows: day 1 to day 3, one 0.5-mg tablet per day; day 4 to day 7, one 0.5-mg tablet twice a day (once in the morning and
once in the evening); day 8 to the end of treatment, one 1-mg tablet twice per day (once in the morning and once in the
evening). Chantix should be taken with a full glass of water after eating. The client should choose a quit date to stop
smoking. Chantix should be taken for 7 days before the quit date. This lets Chantix build up in the body. Smoking should
cease on the quit day, and Chantix should be continued for up to 12 weeks. If the client has not completely quit smoking by
12 weeks, another 12 weeks may help the client stay cigarette-free. The most common side effect is nausea (30%), but this is
usually not severe enough to make the client discontinue the medication)
Pick a date to stop smoking and start Chantix that day according to the dosing schedule (Taking Chantix for 7 days before
the quit date allows it to build up in the body)
Start Chantix today, take it twice a day for 2 weeks, and then stop smoking (Chantix should be initiated with one tab once
a day. It should be taken for 7 days prior to the quit date)
19. Joseph, a 55-year-old man with diabetes, is at your office for his diabetes follow-up. On examining his feet with
monofilament, you discover that he has developed decreased sensation in both feet. There are no open areas or signs of infection
on his feet. What health teaching should Joseph receive today regarding the care of his feet?
“Wash your feet with cold water only.” (Joseph should wash his feet with warm, soapy water)
“See a podiatrist every two years, inspect your own feet monthly, and apply lotion to your feet daily.” (Diabetic clients
should see a podiatrist yearly)
“Go to a spa and have a pedicure monthly.” (Joseph should rely on licensed health professionals for the care of his feet)
“See a podiatrist yearly; wash your feet daily with warm, soapy water and towel dry between the toes; inspect your feet daily
for any lesions; and apply lotion to any dry areas.” (The American Diabetes Association recommends careful inspection of a
diabetic client’s feet for corns, calluses, and open lesions to prevent further deterioration into diabetic foot ulcers. Joseph
should wash his feet daily with warm, soapy water and then towel dry them, especially between the toes, to prevent fungal
infections. Diabetic clients should see a podiatrist yearly. Encourage patients to use a mirror to inspect the bottom of their
feet)
20. Marvin is a gay man who is ready to “come out.” What is the last step in the process of coming out?
Testing and exploration (Testing and exploration is the second of 4 steps)
Identity acceptance (Identity acceptance is the third of 4 steps)
Identity integration and self-disclosure (The last step in the process of a gay man or lesbian coming out is that of identity
integration and self-disclosure. The process of discovering and revealing one’s sexual orientation can occur at any age and
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