Advanced Practice Nursing: Essentials for
Role Development, 5th Edition
Comprehensive Practice Examination
Unit 1: Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the history of the profession. Which event is traditionally considered the
beginning of modern nursing?
A. The establishment of the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS)
B. The founding of the American Association of Nurse-Midwives (AANM)
C. The establishment of the first school of nursing
D. The emergence of a male medical establishment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The establishment of the first school of nursing, specifically the Nightingale Training School at
St. Thomas' Hospital in 1860, is traditionally recognized as the beginning of modern nursing. While the
other options were important milestones, they occurred later in the evolution of the profession .
2. Which change represents the primary impetus for the end of the era of the female lay healer?
A. Perception of health promotion as an obligation
B. Development of a clinical nurse specialist position statement
C. Foundation of the American Association of Nurse-Midwives
D. Emergence of a medical establishment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The emergence of a male-dominated medical establishment that viewed healing as a
commodity, rather than a community obligation, was the primary force that ended the era of the female
lay healer in the 19th century .
3. Which of the following was the first recognized area of advanced practice nursing?
A. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
B. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
, C. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
D. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The CRNA role is the oldest recognized APN role. The National Association of Nurse
Anesthetists (now the AANA) was founded in 1931, predating the formal organization of other APN
specialties .
4. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) introduced the Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) degree in which year to address the increasing curriculum requirements of master's programs?
A. 2000
B. 2002
C. 2004
D. 2006
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AACN introduced the DNP degree in 2004 to prepare advanced practice nurses to meet
the challenges of an increasingly complex healthcare environment and to standardize practice beyond
the master's degree level .
5. Which factor is broadly perceived to have solidified and standardized the role of APNs over the last
25 years?
A. Lack of access to health care providers
B. Standardized curriculum development
C. Payment for services
D. Societal forces
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As APN roles evolved, the development of standardized curricula by professional
organizations (like NONPF and AACN) was key to defining the core competencies and solidifying the role
across different specialties and educational programs .
6. A newly licensed APRN is moving to a state with "reduced practice" authority. What does this
status typically require?
A. Full independent practice without physician oversight.
B. A collaborative agreement with a physician for prescribing or practice.
C. A mandate to work under direct on-site physician supervision.
D. The inability to prescribe any controlled substances.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Reduced practice" authority means state law requires a collaborative agreement with a
Role Development, 5th Edition
Comprehensive Practice Examination
Unit 1: Foundations of Advanced Practice Nursing
1. A nurse is reviewing the history of the profession. Which event is traditionally considered the
beginning of modern nursing?
A. The establishment of the Frontier Nursing Service (FNS)
B. The founding of the American Association of Nurse-Midwives (AANM)
C. The establishment of the first school of nursing
D. The emergence of a male medical establishment
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The establishment of the first school of nursing, specifically the Nightingale Training School at
St. Thomas' Hospital in 1860, is traditionally recognized as the beginning of modern nursing. While the
other options were important milestones, they occurred later in the evolution of the profession .
2. Which change represents the primary impetus for the end of the era of the female lay healer?
A. Perception of health promotion as an obligation
B. Development of a clinical nurse specialist position statement
C. Foundation of the American Association of Nurse-Midwives
D. Emergence of a medical establishment
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The emergence of a male-dominated medical establishment that viewed healing as a
commodity, rather than a community obligation, was the primary force that ended the era of the female
lay healer in the 19th century .
3. Which of the following was the first recognized area of advanced practice nursing?
A. Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS)
B. Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP)
, C. Pediatric Nurse Practitioner (PNP)
D. Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetist (CRNA)
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The CRNA role is the oldest recognized APN role. The National Association of Nurse
Anesthetists (now the AANA) was founded in 1931, predating the formal organization of other APN
specialties .
4. The American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN) introduced the Doctor of Nursing Practice
(DNP) degree in which year to address the increasing curriculum requirements of master's programs?
A. 2000
B. 2002
C. 2004
D. 2006
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The AACN introduced the DNP degree in 2004 to prepare advanced practice nurses to meet
the challenges of an increasingly complex healthcare environment and to standardize practice beyond
the master's degree level .
5. Which factor is broadly perceived to have solidified and standardized the role of APNs over the last
25 years?
A. Lack of access to health care providers
B. Standardized curriculum development
C. Payment for services
D. Societal forces
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: As APN roles evolved, the development of standardized curricula by professional
organizations (like NONPF and AACN) was key to defining the core competencies and solidifying the role
across different specialties and educational programs .
6. A newly licensed APRN is moving to a state with "reduced practice" authority. What does this
status typically require?
A. Full independent practice without physician oversight.
B. A collaborative agreement with a physician for prescribing or practice.
C. A mandate to work under direct on-site physician supervision.
D. The inability to prescribe any controlled substances.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: "Reduced practice" authority means state law requires a collaborative agreement with a
