EDMUNDS PHARMACOLOGY FOR THE
PRIMARY PROVIDER EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ A female patient has vaginal candidiasis and has taken a single
dose of fluconazole without resolution of the infection. The primary
care NP obtains a culture and should order:
Answer: topical miconazole (Monistat).
◉ A parent brings a 6-year-old child to the clinic for evaluation of a
rash. The primary care NP notes three annular lesions with elevated
borders and central clearing on the child's face and a similar lesion
on the back of the neck that extends above the hairline. The NP
should prescribe:
Answer: griseofulvin
◉ A woman who takes oral contraceptive pills develops vaginal
candidiasis. The primary care NP prescribes a single dose of
fluconazole. When counseling the patient about this drug, the NP
should tell her:
Answer: to use a backup contraceptive method for the next 2
months.
,◉ A patient is diagnosed with onychomycosis. The primary care NP
notes that the patient takes quinidine. The NP should prescribe:
Answer: terbinafine (Lamisil).
◉ A patient has been taking griseofulvin for 4 weeks to treat a tineal
capitis infection. The primary care NP notes improvement but not
complete cure. The NP should:
Answer: renew the prescription after obtaining renal, liver, and
hematopoietic tests.
◉ A patient refuses an influenza vaccine and asks the primary care
nurse practitioner (NP) if the influenza medications will prevent him
from getting influenza. The NP should tell the patient that although
the influenza vaccine remains the best protection against influenza:
Answer: zanamivir can be used before or after exposure to influenza
A or B.
◉ A patient who is currently not sexually active has an outbreak of
genital herpes. The patient asks the primary care NP how this could
have occurred without active infection since being treated more than
2 years ago. The NP should tell the patient that:
Answer: successful treatment won't prevent future outbreaks of
active infection.
, ◉ A patient who has genital herpes has frequent outbreaks. The
patient asks the primary care NP why it is necessary to take oral
acyclovir all the time and not just for acute outbreaks. The NP should
explain that oral acyclovir may:
Answer: cause episodes to be shorter and less frequent.
◉ A 60-year-old patient comes to the clinic reporting a sudden onset
of a painful rash that began the day before. The primary care NP
notes a vesicular rash along a dermatome on one side of the
patient's back. The patient has a low-grade fever. The NP will
prescribe:
Answer: acyclovir (Zovirax).
◉ A patient is taking amantadine to treat a viral infection. The
patient calls the primary care NP to report having blurred vision.
The NP should:
Answer: counsel the patient to avoid driving until this subsides.
◉ A patient comes to the clinic before a trip to an area where
malaria is endemic. The primary care NP will prescribe:
Answer: chloroquine (Plaquenil).
◉ The primary care NP sees a female patient and makes a diagnosis
of Trichomonas vaginalis. The patient does not want to tell her
PRIMARY PROVIDER EXAM STUDY GUIDE
2026 COMPREHENSIVE QUESTIONS AND
SOLUTIONS
◉ A female patient has vaginal candidiasis and has taken a single
dose of fluconazole without resolution of the infection. The primary
care NP obtains a culture and should order:
Answer: topical miconazole (Monistat).
◉ A parent brings a 6-year-old child to the clinic for evaluation of a
rash. The primary care NP notes three annular lesions with elevated
borders and central clearing on the child's face and a similar lesion
on the back of the neck that extends above the hairline. The NP
should prescribe:
Answer: griseofulvin
◉ A woman who takes oral contraceptive pills develops vaginal
candidiasis. The primary care NP prescribes a single dose of
fluconazole. When counseling the patient about this drug, the NP
should tell her:
Answer: to use a backup contraceptive method for the next 2
months.
,◉ A patient is diagnosed with onychomycosis. The primary care NP
notes that the patient takes quinidine. The NP should prescribe:
Answer: terbinafine (Lamisil).
◉ A patient has been taking griseofulvin for 4 weeks to treat a tineal
capitis infection. The primary care NP notes improvement but not
complete cure. The NP should:
Answer: renew the prescription after obtaining renal, liver, and
hematopoietic tests.
◉ A patient refuses an influenza vaccine and asks the primary care
nurse practitioner (NP) if the influenza medications will prevent him
from getting influenza. The NP should tell the patient that although
the influenza vaccine remains the best protection against influenza:
Answer: zanamivir can be used before or after exposure to influenza
A or B.
◉ A patient who is currently not sexually active has an outbreak of
genital herpes. The patient asks the primary care NP how this could
have occurred without active infection since being treated more than
2 years ago. The NP should tell the patient that:
Answer: successful treatment won't prevent future outbreaks of
active infection.
, ◉ A patient who has genital herpes has frequent outbreaks. The
patient asks the primary care NP why it is necessary to take oral
acyclovir all the time and not just for acute outbreaks. The NP should
explain that oral acyclovir may:
Answer: cause episodes to be shorter and less frequent.
◉ A 60-year-old patient comes to the clinic reporting a sudden onset
of a painful rash that began the day before. The primary care NP
notes a vesicular rash along a dermatome on one side of the
patient's back. The patient has a low-grade fever. The NP will
prescribe:
Answer: acyclovir (Zovirax).
◉ A patient is taking amantadine to treat a viral infection. The
patient calls the primary care NP to report having blurred vision.
The NP should:
Answer: counsel the patient to avoid driving until this subsides.
◉ A patient comes to the clinic before a trip to an area where
malaria is endemic. The primary care NP will prescribe:
Answer: chloroquine (Plaquenil).
◉ The primary care NP sees a female patient and makes a diagnosis
of Trichomonas vaginalis. The patient does not want to tell her
