ANCC QUESTIONS UPDATED AND CORRECT ANSWERS
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. An 88-year-old woman presents to the clinic today with new-onset confusion. The patient has a
medical history significant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, peripheral arterial disease, and type 2
diabetes melli-tus. Based solely on the patient's history, which would be the most likely differential
diagnosis?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Cerebral infarction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Seizure
Answer:
Cerebral infarction
Question:
2. A 36-year-old man presents with severe colicky flank pain that has been coming and going for the
last day or so. He states the pain comes in waves and lasts anywhere from 20-60 minutes. What
medication, if the patient reports taking it, may put him at a higher risk for this condition?
A. Acyclovir (Zovirax) as herpes simplex suppressive
treatment
B. Cephalexin (Keflex) for a recent cellulitis infection
C. Colchicine (Colcrys) for a gout flare
D. Propranolol (Inderal XL) for chronic migraine pro-
phylaxis
Answer:
Acyclovir
Question:
3. The nurse practitioner prescribes terazosin to a pa-tient who has been diagnosed with benign
prostatic hyperplasia. What is an important teaching point in regard to this medication?
A. This medication may cause dizziness the first time
you take it, so take it before bed.
B. This medication may cause hyperactivity, so take in
the morning.
C. This medication may raise your blood pressure.
D. This medication will shrink the prostate and help
you urinate more easily.
Answer:
This medication may cause dizziness the first time you take it, so take it before bed
Question:
4. Combined oral contraceptive use is associated with the risk for adverse effects. When counseling a
pa-tient, which of the following adverse effects warrants immediate notification of the nurse
practitioner?
A. Breast tenderness
B. Nausea
C. New headache
, D. Weight gain
Answer:
New headache
Question:
5. A patient with a history of daily famotidine (Pepcid) use for 8 consecutive weeks presents to the
clinic for follow-up of gastroesophageal reflux disease symp-toms. Which of the following lab tests
should be mon-itored in patients who require long-term famotidine (Pepcid) therapy?
A. Basic metabolic panel
B. Complete blood count
C. Kidney function panel
D. Liver Function test
Answer:
Complete blood count
Question:
6. The nurse practitioner is counseling a patient regard-ing contraception methods. Which of the
following is incorrect regarding the patch form of contraception?
A. It has the same failure rate as combined oral con-
traceptives
B. The breast and abdomen are both acceptable
places for the patch
C. The patch is contraindicated in patients with a his-
tory of thromboemblolism
D. The patch should be changed to a new location
every week for 3 weeks and then removed for 1 week to allow for menses
Answer:
The breast and ab-domen are both accept-able places for the patch
Question:
7. A 65-year-old man presents for a medication reconcil-iation today. He reports taking allopurinol
(Aloprim), lisinopril (Prinivil), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and aceta-minophen (Tylenol) as needed. He
has been doing well on these medications for the last 3 years. What medication education should be
provided at today's visit?
A. "Ensure that you are limiting excess calcium intake
as allopurinol can increase calcium levels"
B. "Please monitor for any onset of asymmetric facial
swelling"
C. "We will need to obtain liver function tests every 6
months"
D. "We will obtain a hemoglobin A1C every 3 months
as atorvastatin can increase your blood glucose lev-els"
Answer:
"Please monitor for any onset of asymmetric facial swelling"
Question:
8. What is the recommended daily folic acid supplemen-tation during a normal pregnancy?
A. 1000mcg
, B. 250mcg
C. 400mcg
D. 500mcg
Answer:
400mcg
Question:
9. The nurse practitioner is seeing a patient today for medication reconciliation. The patient's past
medical history includes prediabetes, migraines with aura, hypertension, and concern for metabolic
syndrome. Which of the following medications would warrant further evaluation today?
A. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
B. Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
C. Clonidine (Catapres)
D. Lisinopril (Prinivil)
Answer:
Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
Question:
10. A parent brings his healthy 11-month-old infant into the clinic. He states the family is traveling in
2 weeks and is wondering whether his son should get his vari-cella vaccine before they go. Which of
the following is the most appropriate response?
A. It is always recommended to get the varicella vac-
cine if the patient is < 12 months and traveling.
B. The patient does not need vaccination now but may
have to get the vaccine if exposed on vacation
C. The varicella vaccine is only routinely recommend-
ed for children > 12 months.
D. Varicella has largely been eradicated, so getting the
vaccine should not be a concern for this patient, even when > 12 months of age
Answer:
The varicella vaccine is only routinely recom-mended for children > 12 months
Question:
11. A 58-year-old woman presents for her yearly check-up. Current medications include aspirin 325
mg daily and several herbal supplements. Which of the follow-ing herbal supplements should be used
with caution while also taking aspirin?
A. Echinacea
B. Fish oil
C. Ginkgo biloba extract
D. Valerian root
Answer:
Ginkgo biloba extract
Question:
12. A 31-year-old woman presents to the clinic as a new patient. It is noted on her home medication
list that she takes naproxen (Naprosyn) nearly every day due to chronic knee pain after sustaining a
work injury. The nurse practitioner knows that patient education about this medication has been
successful when the patient states which of the following?
, at patient education about this medication has been successful when the patient states which of the
follow-ing?
A. "I can take this medication with alcohol without
concern."
B. "I should stop my daily naproxen (Naprosyn) if I
become pregnant."
C. "If I need surgery, I should stop taking naproxen
(Naprosyn) 1 day before the procedure."
D. "Naproxen (Naprosyn) does not increase the risk of
stomach ulcers."
Answer:
" I should stop my daily naproxen (Naprosyn) if I become pregnant."
Question:
13. An 18-year-old patient presents to the office to discuss the human papillomavirus vaccine. How
should the nurse practitioner describe the vaccine schedule to this patient?
A. "Because you are older than 15, you will need three
doses of the vaccine over the next 6 months"
B. "This is a two-dose series, so you will need to come
back in the next 6 to 12 months to get your second dose"
C. "This requires only one injection, so you will not
need to come back if you get the vaccine today"
D. "You are too old to receive this vaccine"
Answer:
"Because you are older than 15, you will need three doses of the vaccine over the next 6 months"
Question:
14. A 41-year-old woman who was recently placed on an-tibiotics returns to the clinic with a severe
sunburn af-ter planting her garden over the weekend. She states that she is confused about how she
burned so quickly, as she was only exposed to the sun for a short time. Which antibiotic most likely
contributed to the severity of her sunburn?
A. Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
B. Cephalexin (Keflex)
C. Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
D. Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Answer:
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
Question:
15. A 19-year-old man has asthma and is taking albuterol, fluticasone, and salmeterol. He asks why it
is neces-sary to take fluticasone. How does fluticasone aid in the treatment of asthma?
A. Offers bronchodilation during acute exacerba-
tions.
B. Offers chronic inflammatory suppression to pre-
vent asthma exacerbations.
C. Offers prompt inflammatory suppression during an
acute asthma exacerbation.
D. Offers suppression of leukotrienes to allow for
smooth muscle relaxation.
UPDATED QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
Question:
1. An 88-year-old woman presents to the clinic today with new-onset confusion. The patient has a
medical history significant for hypertension, hyperlipidemia, peripheral arterial disease, and type 2
diabetes melli-tus. Based solely on the patient's history, which would be the most likely differential
diagnosis?
A. Atrial fibrillation
B. Cerebral infarction
C. Pulmonary embolism
D. Seizure
Answer:
Cerebral infarction
Question:
2. A 36-year-old man presents with severe colicky flank pain that has been coming and going for the
last day or so. He states the pain comes in waves and lasts anywhere from 20-60 minutes. What
medication, if the patient reports taking it, may put him at a higher risk for this condition?
A. Acyclovir (Zovirax) as herpes simplex suppressive
treatment
B. Cephalexin (Keflex) for a recent cellulitis infection
C. Colchicine (Colcrys) for a gout flare
D. Propranolol (Inderal XL) for chronic migraine pro-
phylaxis
Answer:
Acyclovir
Question:
3. The nurse practitioner prescribes terazosin to a pa-tient who has been diagnosed with benign
prostatic hyperplasia. What is an important teaching point in regard to this medication?
A. This medication may cause dizziness the first time
you take it, so take it before bed.
B. This medication may cause hyperactivity, so take in
the morning.
C. This medication may raise your blood pressure.
D. This medication will shrink the prostate and help
you urinate more easily.
Answer:
This medication may cause dizziness the first time you take it, so take it before bed
Question:
4. Combined oral contraceptive use is associated with the risk for adverse effects. When counseling a
pa-tient, which of the following adverse effects warrants immediate notification of the nurse
practitioner?
A. Breast tenderness
B. Nausea
C. New headache
, D. Weight gain
Answer:
New headache
Question:
5. A patient with a history of daily famotidine (Pepcid) use for 8 consecutive weeks presents to the
clinic for follow-up of gastroesophageal reflux disease symp-toms. Which of the following lab tests
should be mon-itored in patients who require long-term famotidine (Pepcid) therapy?
A. Basic metabolic panel
B. Complete blood count
C. Kidney function panel
D. Liver Function test
Answer:
Complete blood count
Question:
6. The nurse practitioner is counseling a patient regard-ing contraception methods. Which of the
following is incorrect regarding the patch form of contraception?
A. It has the same failure rate as combined oral con-
traceptives
B. The breast and abdomen are both acceptable
places for the patch
C. The patch is contraindicated in patients with a his-
tory of thromboemblolism
D. The patch should be changed to a new location
every week for 3 weeks and then removed for 1 week to allow for menses
Answer:
The breast and ab-domen are both accept-able places for the patch
Question:
7. A 65-year-old man presents for a medication reconcil-iation today. He reports taking allopurinol
(Aloprim), lisinopril (Prinivil), atorvastatin (Lipitor), and aceta-minophen (Tylenol) as needed. He
has been doing well on these medications for the last 3 years. What medication education should be
provided at today's visit?
A. "Ensure that you are limiting excess calcium intake
as allopurinol can increase calcium levels"
B. "Please monitor for any onset of asymmetric facial
swelling"
C. "We will need to obtain liver function tests every 6
months"
D. "We will obtain a hemoglobin A1C every 3 months
as atorvastatin can increase your blood glucose lev-els"
Answer:
"Please monitor for any onset of asymmetric facial swelling"
Question:
8. What is the recommended daily folic acid supplemen-tation during a normal pregnancy?
A. 1000mcg
, B. 250mcg
C. 400mcg
D. 500mcg
Answer:
400mcg
Question:
9. The nurse practitioner is seeing a patient today for medication reconciliation. The patient's past
medical history includes prediabetes, migraines with aura, hypertension, and concern for metabolic
syndrome. Which of the following medications would warrant further evaluation today?
A. Amlodipine (Norvasc)
B. Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
C. Clonidine (Catapres)
D. Lisinopril (Prinivil)
Answer:
Chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
Question:
10. A parent brings his healthy 11-month-old infant into the clinic. He states the family is traveling in
2 weeks and is wondering whether his son should get his vari-cella vaccine before they go. Which of
the following is the most appropriate response?
A. It is always recommended to get the varicella vac-
cine if the patient is < 12 months and traveling.
B. The patient does not need vaccination now but may
have to get the vaccine if exposed on vacation
C. The varicella vaccine is only routinely recommend-
ed for children > 12 months.
D. Varicella has largely been eradicated, so getting the
vaccine should not be a concern for this patient, even when > 12 months of age
Answer:
The varicella vaccine is only routinely recom-mended for children > 12 months
Question:
11. A 58-year-old woman presents for her yearly check-up. Current medications include aspirin 325
mg daily and several herbal supplements. Which of the follow-ing herbal supplements should be used
with caution while also taking aspirin?
A. Echinacea
B. Fish oil
C. Ginkgo biloba extract
D. Valerian root
Answer:
Ginkgo biloba extract
Question:
12. A 31-year-old woman presents to the clinic as a new patient. It is noted on her home medication
list that she takes naproxen (Naprosyn) nearly every day due to chronic knee pain after sustaining a
work injury. The nurse practitioner knows that patient education about this medication has been
successful when the patient states which of the following?
, at patient education about this medication has been successful when the patient states which of the
follow-ing?
A. "I can take this medication with alcohol without
concern."
B. "I should stop my daily naproxen (Naprosyn) if I
become pregnant."
C. "If I need surgery, I should stop taking naproxen
(Naprosyn) 1 day before the procedure."
D. "Naproxen (Naprosyn) does not increase the risk of
stomach ulcers."
Answer:
" I should stop my daily naproxen (Naprosyn) if I become pregnant."
Question:
13. An 18-year-old patient presents to the office to discuss the human papillomavirus vaccine. How
should the nurse practitioner describe the vaccine schedule to this patient?
A. "Because you are older than 15, you will need three
doses of the vaccine over the next 6 months"
B. "This is a two-dose series, so you will need to come
back in the next 6 to 12 months to get your second dose"
C. "This requires only one injection, so you will not
need to come back if you get the vaccine today"
D. "You are too old to receive this vaccine"
Answer:
"Because you are older than 15, you will need three doses of the vaccine over the next 6 months"
Question:
14. A 41-year-old woman who was recently placed on an-tibiotics returns to the clinic with a severe
sunburn af-ter planting her garden over the weekend. She states that she is confused about how she
burned so quickly, as she was only exposed to the sun for a short time. Which antibiotic most likely
contributed to the severity of her sunburn?
A. Amoxicillin (Amoxil)
B. Cephalexin (Keflex)
C. Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
D. Metronidazole (Flagyl)
Answer:
Doxycycline (Vibramycin)
Question:
15. A 19-year-old man has asthma and is taking albuterol, fluticasone, and salmeterol. He asks why it
is neces-sary to take fluticasone. How does fluticasone aid in the treatment of asthma?
A. Offers bronchodilation during acute exacerba-
tions.
B. Offers chronic inflammatory suppression to pre-
vent asthma exacerbations.
C. Offers prompt inflammatory suppression during an
acute asthma exacerbation.
D. Offers suppression of leukotrienes to allow for
smooth muscle relaxation.
