Diagnostic Reasoning Flashcards
6 cards from real Family Nurse Practitioner Test practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Diagnostic Reasoning flashcards as text
A patient has a fasting plasma glucose of 128 mg/dL on two separate occasions. The FNP diagnoses:
Answer: Diabetes mellitus
A fasting plasma glucose ≥126 mg/dL on two separate tests meets the ADA diagnostic criteria for diabetes mellitus.
Which finding on urinalysis is MOST specific for a urinary tract infection?
Answer: Positive nitrites
Positive nitrites indicate bacterial conversion of nitrates, which is highly specific for gram-negative bacteriuria such as E. coli.
A patient is found to have TSH of 0.1 mIU/L with elevated free T4. The FNP interprets this as:
Answer: Primary hyperthyroidism
Low TSH with elevated free T4 indicates primary hyperthyroidism, where excess thyroid hormone suppresses pituitary TSH secretion.
A patient with recurrent nephrolithiasis is found to have hypercalcemia, elevated PTH, and low phosphorus. The MOST likely diagnosis is:
Answer: Primary hyperparathyroidism
High PTH with hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia is the classic triad of primary hyperparathyroidism, the most common cause of outpatient hypercalcemia.
Which EKG finding is the EARLIEST sign of hyperkalemia?
Answer: Peaked (tall, narrow, symmetric) T waves
Peaked T waves are the earliest EKG manifestation of hyperkalemia, preceding the PR prolongation, wide QRS, and eventually sine wave pattern.
A patient with lower extremity weakness and a recent upper respiratory illness is found to have ascending paralysis. The FNP suspects:
Answer: Guillain-Barré syndrome
Post-infectious ascending flaccid paralysis is the hallmark presentation of Guillain-Barré syndrome, an autoimmune peripheral neuropathy.