ANCC AGPCNP Practice Questions – Free
Sample Exam & Answers 2025
An 18-year-old female patient is being followed up for acne by the nurse practitioner. During the facial
exam, papules and pustules are noted mostly on the forehead and the chin areas. The patient has been
using over-the-counter topical antibiotic gels and medicated soap daily for 6 months without much
improvement. The nurse practitioner will recommend:
a. Isotretinoin (Accutane)
b. Tetracycline (Sumycin)
c. Clindamycin topical solution (Cleocin- T)
d. Minoxidil (Rogaine) ANSWER ✨✔---b. Tetracycline (Sumycin)
First-line treatment for acne vulgaris includes over-the-counter medicated soap and water with topical
antibiotic gels. The next step in treatment would be the initiation of oral tetracycline.
A young adult presents for reassessment of uncontrolled asthma symptoms. The patient is currently
taking an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) as needed and reports daytime symptoms more
than 3 days/week, but not daily, and nighttime awakenings 4 to 5 times/week. The patient's forced
,expiratory volume (FEV1) is 80% of predicted. The nurse practitioner upgrades the patient to the next
stage of treatment, which includes:
a. Budesonide with formoterol
b. Budesonide with montelukast
c. Cromolyn or nedocromil
d. Fluticasone with salmeterol ANSWER ✨✔---a. Budesonide with formoterol.
The patient has moved from step 2 to step 3 on the asthma classification scale. Therefore, a low-dose
inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) such as budesonide with formoterol is
an appropriate starting point. Fluticasone with salmeterol is prescribed if the patient is at step 4;
budesonide with montelukast is an alternative. Cromolyn and nedocromil have been discontinued in the
United States.
Which of the following drugs can increase the risk of bleeding in patients who are receiving
anticoagulation therapy with warfarin sodium (Coumadin)?
a. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS)
b. Carafate (Sucralfate)
c. Losartan (Cozaar)
d. Furosemide (Lasix) ANSWER ✨✔---a. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS).
Warfarin sodium (Coumadin) interacts with Bactrim and will increase the risk of bleeding; therefore,
concurrent use is contraindicated.
A 22-year-old woman is going on a 5-day cruise for her honeymoon. She reports a history of severe
motion sickness. Which of the following medicines can be prescribed for motion sickness?
a. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
b. Metoclopramide (Reglan)
c. Ondansetron (Zofran)
,d. Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop) ANSWER ✨✔---d. Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop) is a prescription medicine that is used for motion/sea sickness. It is
a small, circular patch that is placed behind the ear and is effective for 3 days. Advise the patient to
apply it 4 hours before the trip to be effective. Because the question is asking about a "prescribed"
medication, an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, such as Dramamine, is an incorrect response. Zofran is
indicated for cancer-related nausea and vomiting (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery).
The nurse practitioner is completing a health assessment on a 15-year-old female patient who is in the
office for her annual physical. The patient reports feelings of hopelessness and sadness for several
months, no history of suicidal ideations, and a struggle with anorexia. The patient scores an 11 on Beck's
Depression Inventory. Which antidepressant will the nurse practitioner prescribe?
a. Sertraline (Zoloft)
b. Lithium carbonate (Eskalith)
c. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
d. Escitalopram (Lexapro) ANSWER ✨✔---d. Escitalopram [Lexapro]
Escitalopram is a safe antidepressant for an adolescent who has severe depression and no history of
suicidal ideations. Sertraline is not a safe option for patients younger than 24 years of age because of
increased risk of suicidal ideation. Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant and is not a first-line therapy
for depression. It is contraindicated in patients with anorexia nervosa. Lithium is indicated for patients
with bipolar disorder.
Which initial treatment will the nurse practitioner prescribe to a 23-year-old female allergic to sulfa
drugs who is diagnosed with acute cystitis?
a. Cephalexin (Keflex) 500 mg BID × 5 days
b. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 250 mg BID × 3 days
c. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) 100 mg BID × 5 days
d. Amoxicillin 500 mg BID × 5 days ANSWER ✨✔---c. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) 100 mg BID × 5
days
, Nitrofurantoin can be safely administered to a patient with a sulfa allergy to treat acute cystitis and is
the first line of treatment. Cephalexin and amoxicillin are beta-lactam antibiotics that can be prescribed
for a patient who has an allergy to sulfa and nitrofurantoin. A fluoroquinolone, such as ciprofloxacin, is
recommended for a patient who is allergic to sulfa and beta-lactam drugs or has a sulfa allergy and a
known resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
A 68-year-old patient recently prescribed caridopa-levodopa (Sinemet) tells the nurse practitioner that
he has been bloated and experiencing difficulty with bowel movements. Which medication will the
nurse practitioner consider incorporating into the treatment plan?
a. Senna
b. Methylnaltrexone
c. Magnesium citrate
d. Polyethylene glycol ANSWER ✨✔---d. Polyethylene glycol
Levodopa, an antiparkinsonian drug, can cause constipation in an older patient. The first-line treatment
for the patient's constipation is osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol. Senna is a stimulant
laxative that is a second-line treatment for constipation in an older adult. Methylnaltrexone is a
peripherally acting mu-opioid antagonist that acts on the gastrointestinal tract to decrease opioid-
induced constipation. Magnesium-based laxatives (e.g., magnesium citrate) taken over the long term
should be avoided because of the potential of toxicity.
A patient recently returned from a trip to Africa and is experiencing 10 to 12 loose stools every day. The
patient takes metformin every morning and otherwise is in good health. Which medication will the
nurse practitioner prescribe to treat the diarrhea?
a. Levofloxacin daily
b. Ofloxacin BID
c. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole BID
d. Ciprofloxacin in a single dose ANSWER ✨✔---d. Ciprofloxacin in a single dose
The patient most likely has traveler's diarrhea, given the history of a recent return from another
country. The patient's treatment should be based on functional impact of symptoms and not frequency
of symptoms, which is not indicated in the question. The patient likely has moderate acute traveler's
Sample Exam & Answers 2025
An 18-year-old female patient is being followed up for acne by the nurse practitioner. During the facial
exam, papules and pustules are noted mostly on the forehead and the chin areas. The patient has been
using over-the-counter topical antibiotic gels and medicated soap daily for 6 months without much
improvement. The nurse practitioner will recommend:
a. Isotretinoin (Accutane)
b. Tetracycline (Sumycin)
c. Clindamycin topical solution (Cleocin- T)
d. Minoxidil (Rogaine) ANSWER ✨✔---b. Tetracycline (Sumycin)
First-line treatment for acne vulgaris includes over-the-counter medicated soap and water with topical
antibiotic gels. The next step in treatment would be the initiation of oral tetracycline.
A young adult presents for reassessment of uncontrolled asthma symptoms. The patient is currently
taking an inhaled short-acting beta2-agonist (SABA) as needed and reports daytime symptoms more
than 3 days/week, but not daily, and nighttime awakenings 4 to 5 times/week. The patient's forced
,expiratory volume (FEV1) is 80% of predicted. The nurse practitioner upgrades the patient to the next
stage of treatment, which includes:
a. Budesonide with formoterol
b. Budesonide with montelukast
c. Cromolyn or nedocromil
d. Fluticasone with salmeterol ANSWER ✨✔---a. Budesonide with formoterol.
The patient has moved from step 2 to step 3 on the asthma classification scale. Therefore, a low-dose
inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) plus long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) such as budesonide with formoterol is
an appropriate starting point. Fluticasone with salmeterol is prescribed if the patient is at step 4;
budesonide with montelukast is an alternative. Cromolyn and nedocromil have been discontinued in the
United States.
Which of the following drugs can increase the risk of bleeding in patients who are receiving
anticoagulation therapy with warfarin sodium (Coumadin)?
a. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS)
b. Carafate (Sucralfate)
c. Losartan (Cozaar)
d. Furosemide (Lasix) ANSWER ✨✔---a. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim DS).
Warfarin sodium (Coumadin) interacts with Bactrim and will increase the risk of bleeding; therefore,
concurrent use is contraindicated.
A 22-year-old woman is going on a 5-day cruise for her honeymoon. She reports a history of severe
motion sickness. Which of the following medicines can be prescribed for motion sickness?
a. Dimenhydrinate (Dramamine)
b. Metoclopramide (Reglan)
c. Ondansetron (Zofran)
,d. Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop) ANSWER ✨✔---d. Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop)
Scopolamine patch (Transderm Scop) is a prescription medicine that is used for motion/sea sickness. It is
a small, circular patch that is placed behind the ear and is effective for 3 days. Advise the patient to
apply it 4 hours before the trip to be effective. Because the question is asking about a "prescribed"
medication, an over-the-counter (OTC) medicine, such as Dramamine, is an incorrect response. Zofran is
indicated for cancer-related nausea and vomiting (chemotherapy, radiation, surgery).
The nurse practitioner is completing a health assessment on a 15-year-old female patient who is in the
office for her annual physical. The patient reports feelings of hopelessness and sadness for several
months, no history of suicidal ideations, and a struggle with anorexia. The patient scores an 11 on Beck's
Depression Inventory. Which antidepressant will the nurse practitioner prescribe?
a. Sertraline (Zoloft)
b. Lithium carbonate (Eskalith)
c. Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
d. Escitalopram (Lexapro) ANSWER ✨✔---d. Escitalopram [Lexapro]
Escitalopram is a safe antidepressant for an adolescent who has severe depression and no history of
suicidal ideations. Sertraline is not a safe option for patients younger than 24 years of age because of
increased risk of suicidal ideation. Bupropion is an atypical antidepressant and is not a first-line therapy
for depression. It is contraindicated in patients with anorexia nervosa. Lithium is indicated for patients
with bipolar disorder.
Which initial treatment will the nurse practitioner prescribe to a 23-year-old female allergic to sulfa
drugs who is diagnosed with acute cystitis?
a. Cephalexin (Keflex) 500 mg BID × 5 days
b. Ciprofloxacin (Cipro) 250 mg BID × 3 days
c. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) 100 mg BID × 5 days
d. Amoxicillin 500 mg BID × 5 days ANSWER ✨✔---c. Nitrofurantoin (Macrobid) 100 mg BID × 5
days
, Nitrofurantoin can be safely administered to a patient with a sulfa allergy to treat acute cystitis and is
the first line of treatment. Cephalexin and amoxicillin are beta-lactam antibiotics that can be prescribed
for a patient who has an allergy to sulfa and nitrofurantoin. A fluoroquinolone, such as ciprofloxacin, is
recommended for a patient who is allergic to sulfa and beta-lactam drugs or has a sulfa allergy and a
known resistance to beta-lactam antibiotics.
A 68-year-old patient recently prescribed caridopa-levodopa (Sinemet) tells the nurse practitioner that
he has been bloated and experiencing difficulty with bowel movements. Which medication will the
nurse practitioner consider incorporating into the treatment plan?
a. Senna
b. Methylnaltrexone
c. Magnesium citrate
d. Polyethylene glycol ANSWER ✨✔---d. Polyethylene glycol
Levodopa, an antiparkinsonian drug, can cause constipation in an older patient. The first-line treatment
for the patient's constipation is osmotic laxatives such as polyethylene glycol. Senna is a stimulant
laxative that is a second-line treatment for constipation in an older adult. Methylnaltrexone is a
peripherally acting mu-opioid antagonist that acts on the gastrointestinal tract to decrease opioid-
induced constipation. Magnesium-based laxatives (e.g., magnesium citrate) taken over the long term
should be avoided because of the potential of toxicity.
A patient recently returned from a trip to Africa and is experiencing 10 to 12 loose stools every day. The
patient takes metformin every morning and otherwise is in good health. Which medication will the
nurse practitioner prescribe to treat the diarrhea?
a. Levofloxacin daily
b. Ofloxacin BID
c. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole BID
d. Ciprofloxacin in a single dose ANSWER ✨✔---d. Ciprofloxacin in a single dose
The patient most likely has traveler's diarrhea, given the history of a recent return from another
country. The patient's treatment should be based on functional impact of symptoms and not frequency
of symptoms, which is not indicated in the question. The patient likely has moderate acute traveler's
