NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
EXAM PREP
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARGARET FITZGERALD
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Exam Preparation & Test-Taking Strategy — Clinical
Judgment Frameworks
NP-Level Question Stem:
An NP student consistently selects answers that are “technically
correct” but scores poorly on practice certification exams.
Review of missed questions reveals failure to prioritize urgency
and patient safety. Which test-taking adjustment best aligns
with Fitzgerald’s recommended board strategy?
Options:
A. Selecting answers with the most detailed diagnostic
explanation
,B. Choosing interventions that stabilize or protect the patient
first
C. Prioritizing guideline-based chronic disease management
D. Selecting answers that include pharmacologic therapy
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale — Correct:
Fitzgerald emphasizes that board exams reward clinical
prioritization and patient safety, not depth of explanation.
When multiple answers are plausible, the correct choice is the
one that addresses immediate risk or stabilization, reflecting
NP-level judgment rather than textbook completeness.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Detailed explanations often represent distractors rather than
best next steps.
C. Chronic management is inappropriate when acute risk is
present.
D. Medication selection without prioritization may delay urgent
care.
Teaching Point:
Boards reward what keeps the patient safest right now.
Citation:
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
,Question 2
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Exam Structure & Question Design — Single Best
Answer
NP-Level Question Stem:
While reviewing practice questions, an NP candidate notices
that two answer options appear correct. According to
Fitzgerald’s guidance, how should the candidate resolve this
dilemma?
Options:
A. Choose the option with broader scope of practice
B. Select the option most consistent with outpatient primary
care
C. Identify the option that addresses the most immediate
clinical priority
D. Choose the option with the most commonly used
intervention
Correct Answer:
C
Rationale — Correct:
Certification exams are designed with one best answer,
determined by urgency and prioritization, not scope or
popularity. Fitzgerald stresses identifying the option that
reflects safe, efficient clinical judgment in that moment.
, Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Broader scope does not define exam correctness.
B. Primary care setting alone does not resolve urgency.
D. Common practice may be inappropriate in the scenario.
Teaching Point:
When two answers seem right, urgency determines
correctness.
Citation:
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
Question 3
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Cognitive Errors & Distractors — Overthinking
NP-Level Question Stem:
An NP candidate frequently changes correct answers to
incorrect ones during exams. This behavior most commonly
reflects which testing pitfall described by Fitzgerald?
Options:
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Misreading the stem
C. Overthinking and second-guessing
D. Time mismanagement
EXAM PREP
7TH EDITION
• AUTHOR(S)MARGARET FITZGERALD
TEST BANK
Question 1
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Exam Preparation & Test-Taking Strategy — Clinical
Judgment Frameworks
NP-Level Question Stem:
An NP student consistently selects answers that are “technically
correct” but scores poorly on practice certification exams.
Review of missed questions reveals failure to prioritize urgency
and patient safety. Which test-taking adjustment best aligns
with Fitzgerald’s recommended board strategy?
Options:
A. Selecting answers with the most detailed diagnostic
explanation
,B. Choosing interventions that stabilize or protect the patient
first
C. Prioritizing guideline-based chronic disease management
D. Selecting answers that include pharmacologic therapy
Correct Answer:
B
Rationale — Correct:
Fitzgerald emphasizes that board exams reward clinical
prioritization and patient safety, not depth of explanation.
When multiple answers are plausible, the correct choice is the
one that addresses immediate risk or stabilization, reflecting
NP-level judgment rather than textbook completeness.
Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Detailed explanations often represent distractors rather than
best next steps.
C. Chronic management is inappropriate when acute risk is
present.
D. Medication selection without prioritization may delay urgent
care.
Teaching Point:
Boards reward what keeps the patient safest right now.
Citation:
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
,Question 2
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Exam Structure & Question Design — Single Best
Answer
NP-Level Question Stem:
While reviewing practice questions, an NP candidate notices
that two answer options appear correct. According to
Fitzgerald’s guidance, how should the candidate resolve this
dilemma?
Options:
A. Choose the option with broader scope of practice
B. Select the option most consistent with outpatient primary
care
C. Identify the option that addresses the most immediate
clinical priority
D. Choose the option with the most commonly used
intervention
Correct Answer:
C
Rationale — Correct:
Certification exams are designed with one best answer,
determined by urgency and prioritization, not scope or
popularity. Fitzgerald stresses identifying the option that
reflects safe, efficient clinical judgment in that moment.
, Rationales — Incorrect:
A. Broader scope does not define exam correctness.
B. Primary care setting alone does not resolve urgency.
D. Common practice may be inappropriate in the scenario.
Teaching Point:
When two answers seem right, urgency determines
correctness.
Citation:
Fitzgerald, M. (2025). Nurse Practitioner Certification Exam Prep
(7th ed.). Ch. 1.
Question 3
Reference:
Ch. 1 — Cognitive Errors & Distractors — Overthinking
NP-Level Question Stem:
An NP candidate frequently changes correct answers to
incorrect ones during exams. This behavior most commonly
reflects which testing pitfall described by Fitzgerald?
Options:
A. Knowledge deficit
B. Misreading the stem
C. Overthinking and second-guessing
D. Time mismanagement
