ANCC Certification Practice Exam
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding is most
indicative of fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Peripheral edema indicates fluid retention, commonly seen in
heart failure patients.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with nausea, vomiting, and
fruity breath. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
,C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis,
often presenting with fruity breath.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which food should
the patient limit?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Spinach
D. Rice
Rationale: Foods high in vitamin K, like spinach, can reduce warfarin’s
effectiveness.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning in a patient taking loop
diuretics?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia,
which can affect cardiac function.
5. A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache, and neck stiffness.
The nurse suspects:
,A. Migraine
B. Tension headache
C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
D. Sinus headache
Rationale: Sudden, severe headache with neck stiffness suggests
subarachnoid hemorrhage, a medical emergency.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which oxygen delivery
method is preferred to maintain SpO2 around 88–92%?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
C. Low-flow nasal cannula at 1–2 L/min
D. High-flow venturi mask
Rationale: COPD patients are at risk of CO2 retention; low-flow oxygen
helps maintain target saturation safely.
7. A patient with hyperthyroidism may exhibit which classic symptom?
A. Weight gain
B. Tachycardia
C. Cold intolerance
D. Fatigue
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism and sympathetic
activity, leading to tachycardia.
, 8. Which intervention is most important for preventing hospital-acquired
infections?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Patient education
C. Vital signs monitoring
D. Pain assessment
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent
nosocomial infections.
9. A patient is receiving morphine for pain. Which side effect requires
immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Sedation
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires prompt
intervention, including potential use of naloxone.
10. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s readiness for discharge teaching.
Which method is most effective?
A. Lecture
B. Teach-back method
C. Providing written materials only
D. Demonstration without feedback
Questions And Correct Answers
(Verified Answers) Plus Rationales
2025|2026 Q&A | Instant Download Pdf
1. A nurse is assessing a patient with heart failure. Which finding is most
indicative of fluid overload?
A. Dry mucous membranes
B. Peripheral edema
C. Hypotension
D. Bradycardia
Rationale: Peripheral edema indicates fluid retention, commonly seen in
heart failure patients.
2. A patient with type 1 diabetes presents with nausea, vomiting, and
fruity breath. The nurse suspects:
A. Hypoglycemia
B. Diabetic ketoacidosis
,C. Hyperosmolar hyperglycemic state
D. Metabolic alkalosis
Rationale: DKA is characterized by hyperglycemia, ketosis, and acidosis,
often presenting with fruity breath.
3. A nurse is teaching a patient about warfarin therapy. Which food should
the patient limit?
A. Apples
B. Bananas
C. Spinach
D. Rice
Rationale: Foods high in vitamin K, like spinach, can reduce warfarin’s
effectiveness.
4. Which electrolyte imbalance is most concerning in a patient taking loop
diuretics?
A. Hypermagnesemia
B. Hypokalemia
C. Hypercalcemia
D. Hyponatremia
Rationale: Loop diuretics cause potassium loss, leading to hypokalemia,
which can affect cardiac function.
5. A patient presents with a sudden, severe headache, and neck stiffness.
The nurse suspects:
,A. Migraine
B. Tension headache
C. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
D. Sinus headache
Rationale: Sudden, severe headache with neck stiffness suggests
subarachnoid hemorrhage, a medical emergency.
6. The nurse is caring for a patient with COPD. Which oxygen delivery
method is preferred to maintain SpO2 around 88–92%?
A. Non-rebreather mask
B. Nasal cannula at 6 L/min
C. Low-flow nasal cannula at 1–2 L/min
D. High-flow venturi mask
Rationale: COPD patients are at risk of CO2 retention; low-flow oxygen
helps maintain target saturation safely.
7. A patient with hyperthyroidism may exhibit which classic symptom?
A. Weight gain
B. Tachycardia
C. Cold intolerance
D. Fatigue
Rationale: Hyperthyroidism increases metabolism and sympathetic
activity, leading to tachycardia.
, 8. Which intervention is most important for preventing hospital-acquired
infections?
A. Hand hygiene
B. Patient education
C. Vital signs monitoring
D. Pain assessment
Rationale: Hand hygiene is the single most effective measure to prevent
nosocomial infections.
9. A patient is receiving morphine for pain. Which side effect requires
immediate intervention?
A. Constipation
B. Nausea
C. Respiratory depression
D. Sedation
Rationale: Respiratory depression is life-threatening and requires prompt
intervention, including potential use of naloxone.
10. A nurse is evaluating a patient’s readiness for discharge teaching.
Which method is most effective?
A. Lecture
B. Teach-back method
C. Providing written materials only
D. Demonstration without feedback
