AANP Family Nurse Practitioner
Review Study Guide &
Certification Preparation
2026/2027 | FNP Exam Review
Question 1
A 65-year-old woman presents for a follow-up examination
after a new patient visit. She has not seen a nurse for several
years. She is a smoker, and her hypertension is now adequately
controlled with medication. Her mother died at age 40 from a
heart attack. The fasting lipid profile shows cholesterol = 240
mg/dL, HDL = 30 mg/dL, and LDL = 200 mg/dL. In addition to
starting Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, the nurse practitioner
should start the patient on:
A. Bile acid sequestrant
B. A statin drug
C. A cholesterol absorption inhibitor
D. Low-dose aspirin
,Correct Answer: B. A statin drug
Rationale:
This patient has markedly elevated LDL cholesterol along with
multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking,
hypertension, low HDL, and a strong family history of
premature coronary artery disease. A statin is the preferred first-
line pharmacologic therapy for significant LDL elevation and
cardiovascular risk reduction. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
should be continued concurrently. Bile acid sequestrants and
cholesterol absorption inhibitors may be used in selected
patients but are generally not the preferred initial therapy when
a statin is appropriate. Low-dose aspirin is not a treatment for
hyperlipidemia and its use for primary prevention must be
individualized based on cardiovascular and bleeding risk.
Question 2
The most commonly prescribed medication for mild systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) is:
A. Azathioprine (AZA)
B. Belimumab (Benlysta)
,C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
D. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Correct Answer: C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
Rationale:
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are commonly used for mild SLE
manifestations, particularly arthralgia, arthritis, and
musculoskeletal pain. More aggressive immunosuppressive
therapies such as azathioprine, belimumab, or
cyclophosphamide are generally reserved for patients with more
significant or organ-threatening disease. NSAID therapy should
be monitored for gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular
adverse effects.
Question 3
The most common sign of cervical cancer is:
A. Postcoital bleeding
B. Strong odor from vaginal discharge
C. Itching in the vaginal area
D. Molluscum contagiosum
, Correct Answer: A. Postcoital bleeding
Rationale:
Postcoital bleeding is a classic presenting symptom of cervical
cancer. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may also occur between
menstrual periods or after menopause. Cervical cancer can be
asymptomatic in its early stages, which makes routine cervical
cancer screening important for detecting precancerous and early
malignant lesions.
Question 4
The nurse practitioner prescribes amitriptyline (Elavil) for a
patient with neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes mellitus. On
follow-up, the patient complains of urinary retention and dry
mouth. The practitioner would:
A. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin ibuprofen (Motrin)
B. Refer to physical therapy
C. Start methocarbamol (Robaxin)
D. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct Answer: D. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin
gabapentin (Neurontin)
Review Study Guide &
Certification Preparation
2026/2027 | FNP Exam Review
Question 1
A 65-year-old woman presents for a follow-up examination
after a new patient visit. She has not seen a nurse for several
years. She is a smoker, and her hypertension is now adequately
controlled with medication. Her mother died at age 40 from a
heart attack. The fasting lipid profile shows cholesterol = 240
mg/dL, HDL = 30 mg/dL, and LDL = 200 mg/dL. In addition to
starting Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes, the nurse practitioner
should start the patient on:
A. Bile acid sequestrant
B. A statin drug
C. A cholesterol absorption inhibitor
D. Low-dose aspirin
,Correct Answer: B. A statin drug
Rationale:
This patient has markedly elevated LDL cholesterol along with
multiple cardiovascular risk factors, including smoking,
hypertension, low HDL, and a strong family history of
premature coronary artery disease. A statin is the preferred first-
line pharmacologic therapy for significant LDL elevation and
cardiovascular risk reduction. Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes
should be continued concurrently. Bile acid sequestrants and
cholesterol absorption inhibitors may be used in selected
patients but are generally not the preferred initial therapy when
a statin is appropriate. Low-dose aspirin is not a treatment for
hyperlipidemia and its use for primary prevention must be
individualized based on cardiovascular and bleeding risk.
Question 2
The most commonly prescribed medication for mild systemic
lupus erythematosus (SLE) is:
A. Azathioprine (AZA)
B. Belimumab (Benlysta)
,C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
D. Cyclophosphamide (Cytoxan)
Correct Answer: C. Ibuprofen (Advil)
Rationale:
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen are commonly used for mild SLE
manifestations, particularly arthralgia, arthritis, and
musculoskeletal pain. More aggressive immunosuppressive
therapies such as azathioprine, belimumab, or
cyclophosphamide are generally reserved for patients with more
significant or organ-threatening disease. NSAID therapy should
be monitored for gastrointestinal, renal, and cardiovascular
adverse effects.
Question 3
The most common sign of cervical cancer is:
A. Postcoital bleeding
B. Strong odor from vaginal discharge
C. Itching in the vaginal area
D. Molluscum contagiosum
, Correct Answer: A. Postcoital bleeding
Rationale:
Postcoital bleeding is a classic presenting symptom of cervical
cancer. Abnormal vaginal bleeding may also occur between
menstrual periods or after menopause. Cervical cancer can be
asymptomatic in its early stages, which makes routine cervical
cancer screening important for detecting precancerous and early
malignant lesions.
Question 4
The nurse practitioner prescribes amitriptyline (Elavil) for a
patient with neuropathic pain secondary to diabetes mellitus. On
follow-up, the patient complains of urinary retention and dry
mouth. The practitioner would:
A. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin ibuprofen (Motrin)
B. Refer to physical therapy
C. Start methocarbamol (Robaxin)
D. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin gabapentin (Neurontin)
Correct Answer: D. Discontinue amitriptyline and begin
gabapentin (Neurontin)
