1
FLORIDA BOARD OF NURSING NURSE
PRACTITIONER NATIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAM WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 58-year-old patient with hypertension presents for follow-up.
His blood pressure is 168/96 mmHg despite adherence to lisinopril
40 mg daily. He has no symptoms of hypertensive emergency.
Laboratory results show potassium 4.2 mEq/L and creatinine 1.0
mg/dL. Which is the most appropriate next pharmacologic
intervention?
A. Discontinue lisinopril and start clonidine
B. Add a thiazide-type diuretic
C. Add immediate-release nifedipine
D. Increase lisinopril to 80 mg daily
Answer: B. Add a thiazide-type diuretic
Rationale: Thiazide-type diuretics are appropriate add-on therapy for
uncontrolled hypertension when an ACE inhibitor alone is
insufficient. Common evidence-based combinations include an ACE
inhibitor or ARB with a thiazide-type diuretic or calcium-channel
blocker. Lisinopril 40 mg daily is already at a typical maximum dose,
and doubling it is not appropriate. Clonidine is generally not preferred
for routine chronic hypertension because of adverse effects and
rebound hypertension. Immediate-release nifedipine can cause
1
, 2
precipitous hypotension and is not appropriate for routine outpatient
blood-pressure management.
2. A 67-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation has a CHA₂DS₂-VASc
score indicating a substantial risk of thromboembolic stroke. She
has no mechanical heart valve and no moderate-to-severe
rheumatic mitral stenosis. Which medication is generally preferred
for stroke prevention?
A. Aspirin alone
B. Clopidogrel alone
C. A direct oral anticoagulant
D. Dipyridamole alone
Answer: C. A direct oral anticoagulant
Rationale: Direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, rivaroxaban,
dabigatran, and edoxaban are generally preferred over warfarin for
eligible patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Aspirin is
inadequate for stroke prevention in patients who require
anticoagulation. Warfarin remains necessary in certain
circumstances, particularly mechanical prosthetic valves and some
patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain,
constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance. Laboratory testing
demonstrates an elevated TSH and low free T4. Which diagnosis is
most likely?
A. Primary hypothyroidism
B. Secondary hypothyroidism
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Euthyroid sick syndrome
Answer: A. Primary hypothyroidism
2
, 3
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism results from dysfunction of the
thyroid gland itself, producing low thyroid hormone levels and
compensatory elevation of TSH. Hashimoto thyroiditis is a common
cause. Secondary hypothyroidism caused by pituitary dysfunction
generally produces a low or inappropriately normal TSH along with
low free T4. The patient's classic symptoms and laboratory pattern
strongly support primary hypothyroidism.
4. A 72-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes has an A1C of 8.9%
despite metformin therapy. He has obesity and established
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Which medication class is
particularly attractive because of cardiovascular benefit and
weight-loss potential?
A. Sulfonylurea
B. GLP-1 receptor agonist
C. Short-acting insulin secretagogue
D. Thiazolidinedione
Answer: B. GLP-1 receptor agonist
Rationale: GLP-1 receptor agonists can provide substantial glucose
lowering, promote weight loss, and provide cardiovascular benefits in
appropriate patients with established ASCVD. Sulfonylureas can cause
hypoglycemia and weight gain. Thiazolidinediones may cause weight
gain and fluid retention. Treatment selection should incorporate
cardiovascular, renal, weight, hypoglycemia, cost, and patient-specific
considerations.
5. A 30-year-old woman presents with dysuria and urinary frequency
for 2 days. She denies fever, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, or
vaginal discharge. Urinalysis is consistent with cystitis. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute uncomplicated cystitis
B. Acute pyelonephritis
3
, 4
C. Pelvic inflammatory disease
D. Nephrolithiasis
Answer: A. Acute uncomplicated cystitis
Rationale: Dysuria and urinary frequency without systemic symptoms
are classic for acute uncomplicated cystitis. Pyelonephritis is more
likely when fever, flank pain, costovertebral-angle tenderness, nausea,
or vomiting are present. Vaginal discharge or pelvic pain would raise
concern for a gynecologic or sexually transmitted infection.
6. A patient with asthma uses albuterol several times each week and
awakens with wheezing at night. What does this pattern indicate?
A. Well-controlled asthma
B. Poorly controlled asthma requiring reassessment of controller therapy
C. COPD rather than asthma
D. Normal asthma management
Answer: B. Poorly controlled asthma requiring reassessment of
controller therapy
Rationale: Frequent rescue-inhaler use and nighttime symptoms
indicate inadequate asthma control. The clinician should assess
adherence, inhaler technique, environmental triggers, diagnosis, and
the need for appropriate inhaled anti-inflammatory controller therapy.
Reliance on short-acting bronchodilator therapy alone is insufficient
for many patients with persistent asthma.
7. A 63-year-old man with COPD presents with increased dyspnea,
increased sputum volume, and purulent sputum. Which finding
most strongly supports an acute COPD exacerbation requiring
antibiotic consideration?
A. Mild chronic cough
B. Purulent sputum with increased dyspnea and sputum production
4
FLORIDA BOARD OF NURSING NURSE
PRACTITIONER NATIONAL CERTIFICATION
EXAM WITH ACTUAL QUESTIONS AND
VERIFIED ANSWERS, PLUS EXPLAINED
RATIONALES/EXPERT VERIFIED FOR
GUARANTEED 100% PASS 2026/LATEST
UPDATE/INSTANT DOWNLOAD PDF
1. A 58-year-old patient with hypertension presents for follow-up.
His blood pressure is 168/96 mmHg despite adherence to lisinopril
40 mg daily. He has no symptoms of hypertensive emergency.
Laboratory results show potassium 4.2 mEq/L and creatinine 1.0
mg/dL. Which is the most appropriate next pharmacologic
intervention?
A. Discontinue lisinopril and start clonidine
B. Add a thiazide-type diuretic
C. Add immediate-release nifedipine
D. Increase lisinopril to 80 mg daily
Answer: B. Add a thiazide-type diuretic
Rationale: Thiazide-type diuretics are appropriate add-on therapy for
uncontrolled hypertension when an ACE inhibitor alone is
insufficient. Common evidence-based combinations include an ACE
inhibitor or ARB with a thiazide-type diuretic or calcium-channel
blocker. Lisinopril 40 mg daily is already at a typical maximum dose,
and doubling it is not appropriate. Clonidine is generally not preferred
for routine chronic hypertension because of adverse effects and
rebound hypertension. Immediate-release nifedipine can cause
1
, 2
precipitous hypotension and is not appropriate for routine outpatient
blood-pressure management.
2. A 67-year-old woman with atrial fibrillation has a CHA₂DS₂-VASc
score indicating a substantial risk of thromboembolic stroke. She
has no mechanical heart valve and no moderate-to-severe
rheumatic mitral stenosis. Which medication is generally preferred
for stroke prevention?
A. Aspirin alone
B. Clopidogrel alone
C. A direct oral anticoagulant
D. Dipyridamole alone
Answer: C. A direct oral anticoagulant
Rationale: Direct oral anticoagulants such as apixaban, rivaroxaban,
dabigatran, and edoxaban are generally preferred over warfarin for
eligible patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. Aspirin is
inadequate for stroke prevention in patients who require
anticoagulation. Warfarin remains necessary in certain
circumstances, particularly mechanical prosthetic valves and some
patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis.
3. A 45-year-old patient presents with fatigue, weight gain,
constipation, dry skin, and cold intolerance. Laboratory testing
demonstrates an elevated TSH and low free T4. Which diagnosis is
most likely?
A. Primary hypothyroidism
B. Secondary hypothyroidism
C. Hyperthyroidism
D. Euthyroid sick syndrome
Answer: A. Primary hypothyroidism
2
, 3
Rationale: Primary hypothyroidism results from dysfunction of the
thyroid gland itself, producing low thyroid hormone levels and
compensatory elevation of TSH. Hashimoto thyroiditis is a common
cause. Secondary hypothyroidism caused by pituitary dysfunction
generally produces a low or inappropriately normal TSH along with
low free T4. The patient's classic symptoms and laboratory pattern
strongly support primary hypothyroidism.
4. A 72-year-old patient with type 2 diabetes has an A1C of 8.9%
despite metformin therapy. He has obesity and established
atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease. Which medication class is
particularly attractive because of cardiovascular benefit and
weight-loss potential?
A. Sulfonylurea
B. GLP-1 receptor agonist
C. Short-acting insulin secretagogue
D. Thiazolidinedione
Answer: B. GLP-1 receptor agonist
Rationale: GLP-1 receptor agonists can provide substantial glucose
lowering, promote weight loss, and provide cardiovascular benefits in
appropriate patients with established ASCVD. Sulfonylureas can cause
hypoglycemia and weight gain. Thiazolidinediones may cause weight
gain and fluid retention. Treatment selection should incorporate
cardiovascular, renal, weight, hypoglycemia, cost, and patient-specific
considerations.
5. A 30-year-old woman presents with dysuria and urinary frequency
for 2 days. She denies fever, flank pain, nausea, vomiting, or
vaginal discharge. Urinalysis is consistent with cystitis. Which
diagnosis is most likely?
A. Acute uncomplicated cystitis
B. Acute pyelonephritis
3
, 4
C. Pelvic inflammatory disease
D. Nephrolithiasis
Answer: A. Acute uncomplicated cystitis
Rationale: Dysuria and urinary frequency without systemic symptoms
are classic for acute uncomplicated cystitis. Pyelonephritis is more
likely when fever, flank pain, costovertebral-angle tenderness, nausea,
or vomiting are present. Vaginal discharge or pelvic pain would raise
concern for a gynecologic or sexually transmitted infection.
6. A patient with asthma uses albuterol several times each week and
awakens with wheezing at night. What does this pattern indicate?
A. Well-controlled asthma
B. Poorly controlled asthma requiring reassessment of controller therapy
C. COPD rather than asthma
D. Normal asthma management
Answer: B. Poorly controlled asthma requiring reassessment of
controller therapy
Rationale: Frequent rescue-inhaler use and nighttime symptoms
indicate inadequate asthma control. The clinician should assess
adherence, inhaler technique, environmental triggers, diagnosis, and
the need for appropriate inhaled anti-inflammatory controller therapy.
Reliance on short-acting bronchodilator therapy alone is insufficient
for many patients with persistent asthma.
7. A 63-year-old man with COPD presents with increased dyspnea,
increased sputum volume, and purulent sputum. Which finding
most strongly supports an acute COPD exacerbation requiring
antibiotic consideration?
A. Mild chronic cough
B. Purulent sputum with increased dyspnea and sputum production
4