NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION EXAM PREP
2,000 ORIGINAL REVIEW QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
2026–2027 STUDY GUIDE
2,000 original practice questions • Answers • Rationales • Major NP review domains
Practice resource only: not an actual or leaked exam bank and no passing score is guaranteed.
,1. [HEENT] Allergic rhinitis commonly presents with which finding?
A. Clear rhinorrhea and sneezing
B. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: A. Clear rhinorrhea and sneezing
Rationale: Allergic rhinitis commonly causes sneezing, itching, congestion, and clear rhinorrhea.
2. [HEENT] Ménière disease is classically associated with which combination?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. Episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: B. Episodic vertigo, tinnitus, and fluctuating hearing loss
Rationale: Ménière disease classically involves episodic vertigo, tinnitus, aural fullness, and fluctuating sensorineural hearing loss.
3. [Endocrine] Which laboratory test is commonly used for initial screening of primary thyroid dysfunction?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. TSH
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: C. TSH
Rationale: TSH is commonly used as an initial screening test for primary thyroid dysfunction.
4. [Endocrine] Which symptom is most consistent with hyperthyroidism?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. A finding that would contradict the concept
D. Heat intolerance
Correct Answer: D. Heat intolerance
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism commonly causes heat intolerance, tremor, tachycardia, and weight loss.
5. [Cardiovascular] Which symptom is most concerning for myocardial ischemia?
A. New pressure-like chest discomfort with exertion
B. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: A. New pressure-like chest discomfort with exertion
Rationale: Exertional pressure-like chest discomfort can indicate myocardial ischemia and requires appropriate evaluation.
6. [Pulmonary] Which symptom is classic for asthma?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. Episodic wheezing and variable airflow obstruction
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: B. Episodic wheezing and variable airflow obstruction
Rationale: Asthma commonly causes episodic wheezing, cough, chest tightness, and variable airflow limitation.
7. [GI] Which symptom is most suggestive of gastroesophageal reflux disease?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. Heartburn after meals
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
,Correct Answer: C. Heartburn after meals
Rationale: Heartburn and regurgitation are common symptoms of GERD.
8. [Infectious Disease] Which lesion is classically associated with Lyme disease?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. A finding that would contradict the concept
D. Erythema migrans
Correct Answer: D. Erythema migrans
Rationale: Erythema migrans is the characteristic expanding rash of early Lyme disease.
9. [Musculoskeletal] Which condition is an autoimmune inflammatory polyarthritis?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: A. Rheumatoid arthritis
Rationale: Rheumatoid arthritis is a systemic autoimmune inflammatory disease affecting synovial joints.
10. [Women's Health] Which finding is concerning in a pregnant patient with severe headache and elevated blood pressure?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. Possible preeclampsia
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: B. Possible preeclampsia
Rationale: Severe headache with hypertension during pregnancy can indicate preeclampsia and requires urgent evaluation.
11. [Pediatrics] Which finding in a young infant warrants prompt evaluation?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. Poor feeding with lethargy
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: C. Poor feeding with lethargy
Rationale: Poor feeding and lethargy can be signs of serious illness in an infant.
12. [Geriatrics] Which factor increases fall risk in older adults?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. A finding that would contradict the concept
D. Polypharmacy and gait instability
Correct Answer: D. Polypharmacy and gait instability
Rationale: Polypharmacy, gait impairment, vision problems, and environmental hazards increase fall risk.
13. [Ethics] Which principle refers to respecting a patient's right to make informed decisions?
A. Autonomy
B. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: A. Autonomy
Rationale: Autonomy means respecting a competent patient's right to make informed healthcare choices.
14. [Prevention] Screening asymptomatic adults is an example of which prevention level?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. Secondary prevention
, C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: B. Secondary prevention
Rationale: Secondary prevention focuses on early detection, commonly through screening.
15. [Pharmacology] Which adverse effect is particularly associated with ACE inhibitors?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. Persistent dry cough
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: C. Persistent dry cough
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause persistent dry cough and, rarely, angioedema.
16. [Dermatology] Which lesion is a flat, circumscribed change in skin color?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. A finding that would contradict the concept
D. Macule
Correct Answer: D. Macule
Rationale: A macule is flat and differs from surrounding skin primarily by color.
17. [Neurology] Which finding is concerning for an acute stroke?
A. Sudden unilateral facial and arm weakness
B. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: A. Sudden unilateral facial and arm weakness
Rationale: Sudden focal neurologic deficits are classic stroke warning signs and require emergency evaluation.
18. [Renal] Which symptom commonly occurs with a lower urinary tract infection?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. Dysuria
C. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: B. Dysuria
Rationale: Dysuria, frequency, and urgency are common symptoms of lower urinary tract infection.
19. [Hematology] Which finding is characteristic of iron-deficiency anemia?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. Microcytosis
D. A finding that would contradict the concept
Correct Answer: C. Microcytosis
Rationale: Established iron-deficiency anemia is typically microcytic and hypochromic.
20. [Evidence-Based Practice] Which source generally provides a high level of evidence for a focused clinical question?
A. A normal finding unrelated to the condition
B. A finding that indicates an unrelated system disorder
C. A finding that would contradict the concept
D. Systematic review or meta-analysis
Correct Answer: D. Systematic review or meta-analysis
Rationale: Systematic reviews and meta-analyses can synthesize evidence from multiple studies.