CHAMBERLAIN UNIVERSITY · COLLEGE OF NURSING
Family Nurse Practitioner
I
HEENT Practice Question
Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat — Advanced Practice
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
FNP I · Chamberlain University Page 1
,FNP I PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: HEENT — Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
1 What is amblyopia?
A A decrease in visual acuity in one eye with no correction; most common cause of
childhood visual loss
B Opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye
C Inflammation of the conjunctiva
D Inflammation of the lacrimal sac
Correct Answer: A — Amblyopia is a decrease in visual acuity in one eye with no correction
and is the most common cause of childhood visual loss.
B — This describes cataracts, not amblyopia.
C — This describes conjunctivitis, not amblyopia.
D — This describes dacrocystitis, not amblyopia.
,2 What are the causes of amblyopia?
A Congenital defect, corneal scar or cataract, high refractive error
B Bacterial infection of the eyelid
C Obstruction of the lacrimal duct
D Allergic reaction to environmental triggers
Correct Answer: A — Causes of amblyopia include congenital defect, corneal scar or
cataract, and high refractive error.
B — This describes blepharitis, not amblyopia.
C — This describes nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
D — This is associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
3 What are the risk factors for amblyopia?
A Genetics, prematurity, small for gestational age, maternal smoking or alcohol use
B Diabetes and obesity
C Smoking and UVB exposure
D Age and trauma
Correct Answer: A — Risk factors for amblyopia include genetics, prematurity, small for
gestational age, and maternal smoking or alcohol use.
B — Diabetes and obesity are risk factors for other conditions.
C — Smoking and UVB exposure are risk factors for cataracts.
D — Age and trauma are not primary risk factors for amblyopia.
, 4 When is the latest that all children should have their first visual exam?
A Prior to starting school
B At 2 years of age
C At 5 years of age
D At 10 years of age
Correct Answer: A — All children should have their first visual exam prior to starting
school.
B — 2 years is earlier than necessary for the first exam.
C — 5 years may be too late if school has already started.
D — 10 years is too late for early detection of amblyopia.
5 What is blepharitis?
A Dryness and flaking of eyelashes, inflammatory response of the eyelid caused by
blockage of glands or bacterial infection (staph)
B A chronic nodule or cyst on the upper eyelid caused by obstruction in a sebaceous
gland
C An acute bacterial infection of the meibomian gland or eyelash follicle
D Inflammation of the conjunctiva
Correct Answer: A — Blepharitis is dryness and flaking of eyelashes with inflammatory
response of the eyelid caused by blockage of glands or bacterial infection (staph).
B — This describes a chalazion.
C — This describes a hordeolum (stye).
D — This describes conjunctivitis.
Family Nurse Practitioner
I
HEENT Practice Question
Bank
NCLEX-Style Practice Questions with Rationales
Topic Focus: Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat — Advanced Practice
Edition 1 · July 2026
Table of Contents
1. Instructions for Use 2
2. Practice Questions with Answers & Rationales 2
FNP I · Chamberlain University Page 1
,FNP I PRACTICE GUIDE INSTRUCTIONS & PRACTICE QUESTIONS
How to Use This Guide
Read each stem, choose your answer, then check the rationale directly below it. The correct
option is marked, and each wrong option is explained so you understand why it's wrong — not
just that it is.
Category: HEENT — Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, and Throat
1 What is amblyopia?
A A decrease in visual acuity in one eye with no correction; most common cause of
childhood visual loss
B Opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye
C Inflammation of the conjunctiva
D Inflammation of the lacrimal sac
Correct Answer: A — Amblyopia is a decrease in visual acuity in one eye with no correction
and is the most common cause of childhood visual loss.
B — This describes cataracts, not amblyopia.
C — This describes conjunctivitis, not amblyopia.
D — This describes dacrocystitis, not amblyopia.
,2 What are the causes of amblyopia?
A Congenital defect, corneal scar or cataract, high refractive error
B Bacterial infection of the eyelid
C Obstruction of the lacrimal duct
D Allergic reaction to environmental triggers
Correct Answer: A — Causes of amblyopia include congenital defect, corneal scar or
cataract, and high refractive error.
B — This describes blepharitis, not amblyopia.
C — This describes nasolacrimal duct obstruction.
D — This is associated with allergic conjunctivitis.
3 What are the risk factors for amblyopia?
A Genetics, prematurity, small for gestational age, maternal smoking or alcohol use
B Diabetes and obesity
C Smoking and UVB exposure
D Age and trauma
Correct Answer: A — Risk factors for amblyopia include genetics, prematurity, small for
gestational age, and maternal smoking or alcohol use.
B — Diabetes and obesity are risk factors for other conditions.
C — Smoking and UVB exposure are risk factors for cataracts.
D — Age and trauma are not primary risk factors for amblyopia.
, 4 When is the latest that all children should have their first visual exam?
A Prior to starting school
B At 2 years of age
C At 5 years of age
D At 10 years of age
Correct Answer: A — All children should have their first visual exam prior to starting
school.
B — 2 years is earlier than necessary for the first exam.
C — 5 years may be too late if school has already started.
D — 10 years is too late for early detection of amblyopia.
5 What is blepharitis?
A Dryness and flaking of eyelashes, inflammatory response of the eyelid caused by
blockage of glands or bacterial infection (staph)
B A chronic nodule or cyst on the upper eyelid caused by obstruction in a sebaceous
gland
C An acute bacterial infection of the meibomian gland or eyelash follicle
D Inflammation of the conjunctiva
Correct Answer: A — Blepharitis is dryness and flaking of eyelashes with inflammatory
response of the eyelid caused by blockage of glands or bacterial infection (staph).
B — This describes a chalazion.
C — This describes a hordeolum (stye).
D — This describes conjunctivitis.
