AANP FNP Board Exam 1 – Comprehensive Questions and
Answers with Detailed Rationales
1. Health Promotion & Prevention
Question 1
A 46-year-old average-risk adult asks when colorectal cancer screening
should begin. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Age 35
B. Age 40
C. Age 45
D. Age 55
Correct answer: C. Age 45
Rationale: Current major U.S. recommendations generally begin
colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults at age 45. Earlier
screening may be appropriate when risk factors such as inflammatory
bowel disease or significant family history are present.
Question 2
Which intervention provides the greatest reduction in morbidity and
mortality for a patient who smokes cigarettes daily?
A. Daily aspirin
B. Smoking cessation
C. Annual chest radiography
D. Vitamin supplementation
Correct answer: B. Smoking cessation
,Rationale: Tobacco cessation substantially reduces cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and cancer-related morbidity. Preventive counseling,
behavioral interventions, and pharmacotherapy should be offered
when appropriate.
Question 3
Which vaccine is routinely recommended for adults beginning at age 50
to prevent herpes zoster?
A. MMR
B. Recombinant zoster vaccine
C. Hepatitis A vaccine
D. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Correct answer: B. Recombinant zoster vaccine
Rationale: Recombinant zoster vaccine is recommended for adults age
50 years and older and for certain immunocompromised adults. It
substantially reduces the risk of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
Question 4
Which screening test is used to evaluate bone mineral density in a
postmenopausal woman at increased fracture risk?
A. Serum calcium
B. DXA scan
C. Serum alkaline phosphatase
D. Plain abdominal radiograph
Correct answer: B. DXA scan
,Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures bone mineral
density and is the standard method for diagnosing osteoporosis and
estimating fracture risk.
Question 5
Which dietary pattern has demonstrated benefit in reducing blood
pressure?
A. DASH diet
B. Carnivore diet
C. High-sodium diet
D. Very-low-fiber diet
Correct answer: A. DASH diet
Rationale: The DASH pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium and
saturated fat. It is effective for blood-pressure reduction.
Question 6
A healthy adult asks about recommended aerobic activity. Which target
is appropriate?
A. 30 minutes monthly
B. 60 minutes weekly
C. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly
D. Exercise only when symptomatic
Correct answer: C. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly
Rationale: Adults should generally obtain at least 150 minutes of
moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, with additional benefits
, from greater activity. Muscle-strengthening activity should also be
included.
Question 7
Which finding is most concerning for intimate partner violence?
A. Occasional headache
B. Injuries with inconsistent explanations
C. Seasonal allergic rhinitis
D. Mild myopia
Correct answer: B. Injuries with inconsistent explanations
Rationale: Recurrent injuries, delayed presentation, inconsistent
histories, controlling behavior by a partner, and fearfulness should
prompt sensitive assessment for intimate partner violence.
Question 8
Which intervention is most effective for preventing neural-tube
defects?
A. Calcium after pregnancy confirmation
B. Folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
C. Iron only after the third trimester
D. Vitamin C during labor
Correct answer: B. Folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy decreases the risk of neural-tube defects. Higher doses may
be indicated for patients with specific high-risk conditions.
Answers with Detailed Rationales
1. Health Promotion & Prevention
Question 1
A 46-year-old average-risk adult asks when colorectal cancer screening
should begin. Which recommendation is most appropriate?
A. Age 35
B. Age 40
C. Age 45
D. Age 55
Correct answer: C. Age 45
Rationale: Current major U.S. recommendations generally begin
colorectal cancer screening for average-risk adults at age 45. Earlier
screening may be appropriate when risk factors such as inflammatory
bowel disease or significant family history are present.
Question 2
Which intervention provides the greatest reduction in morbidity and
mortality for a patient who smokes cigarettes daily?
A. Daily aspirin
B. Smoking cessation
C. Annual chest radiography
D. Vitamin supplementation
Correct answer: B. Smoking cessation
,Rationale: Tobacco cessation substantially reduces cardiovascular,
pulmonary, and cancer-related morbidity. Preventive counseling,
behavioral interventions, and pharmacotherapy should be offered
when appropriate.
Question 3
Which vaccine is routinely recommended for adults beginning at age 50
to prevent herpes zoster?
A. MMR
B. Recombinant zoster vaccine
C. Hepatitis A vaccine
D. Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
Correct answer: B. Recombinant zoster vaccine
Rationale: Recombinant zoster vaccine is recommended for adults age
50 years and older and for certain immunocompromised adults. It
substantially reduces the risk of shingles and postherpetic neuralgia.
Question 4
Which screening test is used to evaluate bone mineral density in a
postmenopausal woman at increased fracture risk?
A. Serum calcium
B. DXA scan
C. Serum alkaline phosphatase
D. Plain abdominal radiograph
Correct answer: B. DXA scan
,Rationale: Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry measures bone mineral
density and is the standard method for diagnosing osteoporosis and
estimating fracture risk.
Question 5
Which dietary pattern has demonstrated benefit in reducing blood
pressure?
A. DASH diet
B. Carnivore diet
C. High-sodium diet
D. Very-low-fiber diet
Correct answer: A. DASH diet
Rationale: The DASH pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole
grains, legumes, nuts, and low-fat dairy while limiting sodium and
saturated fat. It is effective for blood-pressure reduction.
Question 6
A healthy adult asks about recommended aerobic activity. Which target
is appropriate?
A. 30 minutes monthly
B. 60 minutes weekly
C. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly
D. Exercise only when symptomatic
Correct answer: C. At least 150 minutes of moderate activity weekly
Rationale: Adults should generally obtain at least 150 minutes of
moderate-intensity aerobic activity weekly, with additional benefits
, from greater activity. Muscle-strengthening activity should also be
included.
Question 7
Which finding is most concerning for intimate partner violence?
A. Occasional headache
B. Injuries with inconsistent explanations
C. Seasonal allergic rhinitis
D. Mild myopia
Correct answer: B. Injuries with inconsistent explanations
Rationale: Recurrent injuries, delayed presentation, inconsistent
histories, controlling behavior by a partner, and fearfulness should
prompt sensitive assessment for intimate partner violence.
Question 8
Which intervention is most effective for preventing neural-tube
defects?
A. Calcium after pregnancy confirmation
B. Folic acid before conception and during early pregnancy
C. Iron only after the third trimester
D. Vitamin C during labor
Correct answer: B. Folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy
Rationale: Adequate folic acid before conception and during early
pregnancy decreases the risk of neural-tube defects. Higher doses may
be indicated for patients with specific high-risk conditions.
