Comprehensive Practice Examination
100 Questions with ANSWERs &
Rationales
SECTION 1: ETHICS & PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE (Questions 1–8)
1. Beneficence is defined as:
A) The obligation to remain truthful
B) The obligation to help people in need
C) The obligation to do no harm
D) The obligation to respect patient autonomy
ANSWER: B) The obligation to help people in need
Rationale: Beneficence is the ethical principle requiring healthcare providers to act in the best interest of
patients and actively help those in need.
2. Veracity refers to:
A) The obligation to maintain patient confidentiality
B) The obligation to remain truthful
C) The obligation to provide competent care
D) The obligation to advocate for patients
ANSWER: B) The obligation to remain truthful
,Rationale: Veracity is the ethical duty to be truthful and honest with patients, providing accurate
information to support informed decision-making.
3. A 22-year-old started a new job at a health center. Which immunization would be most appropriate
for this employee?
A) Influenza vaccine
B) MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
C) Hepatitis B vaccine
D) Tdap
ANSWER: B) MMR
Rationale: Healthcare workers should have documented immunity to measles, mumps, and rubella.
MMR vaccination is recommended for those who lack immunity and work in healthcare settings.
4. A 55-year-old woman with type 2 diabetes mellitus is discouraged about losing weight. What is the
most appropriate initial response?
A) Prescribe a weight loss medication
B) Refer her to a bariatric surgeon
C) Ask: "What barriers do you see to losing weight?"
D) Recommend a strict 1200-calorie diet
ANSWER: C) Ask: "What barriers do you see to losing weight?"
Rationale: Motivational interviewing and patient-centered approaches involve exploring the patient's
perceived barriers to change before prescribing interventions. This empowers the patient and identifies
modifiable obstacles.
5. Which of the following women is the best candidate for post-menopausal hormonal therapy?
A) A 73-year-old with osteopenia
,B) A 55-year-old with a history of breast cancer
C) A 52-year-old with severe vasomotor symptoms and no contraindications
D) A 60-year-old with a history of venous thromboembolism
ANSWER: C) A 52-year-old with severe vasomotor symptoms and no contraindications
Rationale: Hormonal therapy is most appropriate for symptomatic women near menopause onset
(typically <60 years or within 10 years of menopause) without contraindications such as breast cancer or
VTE history.
6. The ethical principle of fidelity in nursing practice refers to:
A) Being truthful with patients
B) Keeping promises and maintaining loyalty to patients
C) Avoiding harm to patients
D) Treating all patients equally
ANSWER: B) Keeping promises and maintaining loyalty to patients
Rationale: Fidelity is the ethical obligation to keep commitments and be faithful to promises made to
patients, including maintaining confidentiality and following through on care plans.
7. A patient on testosterone therapy has a PSA level below 4. What should the NP do?
A) Refer to a urologist
B) Continue therapy
C) Repeat the test in one month
D) Discontinue testosterone immediately
ANSWER: B) Continue therapy
, Rationale: PSA levels below 4 are considered normal. In patients on testosterone therapy, routine
monitoring of PSA is recommended, and levels within normal range do not necessitate referral or
discontinuation.
8. Which of the following represents the best example of non-maleficence?
A) Administering pain medication to a suffering patient
B) Disclosing a medication error to a patient
C) Withholding a treatment that would cause more harm than benefit
D) Respecting a patient's refusal of treatment
ANSWER: C) Withholding a treatment that would cause more harm than benefit
Rationale: Non-maleficence means "do no harm." This principle guides providers to avoid interventions
where risks outweigh benefits, even if the intervention might offer some benefit.
SECTION 2: CARDIOLOGY & CARDIOVASCULAR (Questions 9–19)
9. A "run" of ventricular tachycardia occurs if at least how many PVCs occur in a row?
A) 4
B) 2
C) 3
D) 5
ANSWER: C) 3
Rationale: Ventricular tachycardia is defined as three or more consecutive premature ventricular
contractions (PVCs) at a rate >100 beats per minute.
10. A "runaway" pacemaker is characterized by:
A) Profound slowing of the heart rate
B) A narrowing of the QRS complexes