NSG 555 Exam 1 V3 – Nurse Practitioners in
Primary Care I Practice Exam 2026/2027
Practice Questions & Study Guide | Complete
Exam-Style Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers & Rationales (Reliable Answers)
Question 1
A 52-year-old patient presents for an annual primary care visit.
The patient has no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
or chronic kidney disease. Blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg. The
patient reports that previous readings at home have usually
been around 130–135/80–84 mmHg. Which action is most
appropriate before diagnosing persistent hypertension?
A. Immediately begin two antihypertensive medications
B. Repeat the office measurement using proper technique and
obtain out-of-office readings
C. Diagnose stage 2 hypertension based solely on today's
reading
D. Reassure the patient that the office reading is clinically
insignificant
,Answer: B. Repeat the office measurement using proper
technique and obtain out-of-office readings
Rationale: Blood pressure diagnosis should not ordinarily be
based on a single elevated office measurement when the
clinical situation allows confirmation. Proper measurement
technique includes appropriate cuff size, adequate rest,
supported positioning, and repeated readings. Home blood
pressure monitoring or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
can help identify sustained hypertension, white-coat
hypertension, or masked hypertension. Although the office
value is elevated enough to warrant evaluation, the patient's
consistently lower home readings make confirmation
particularly important before labeling the patient with
persistent hypertension or initiating long-term therapy.
Question 2
A 47-year-old average-risk adult asks when colorectal cancer
screening should begin. The patient has no personal history of
colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, adenomatous
polyps, or significant family history. Which recommendation is
most appropriate?
A. Begin screening at age 55
B. Begin screening at age 50
,C. Begin screening at age 45
D. Begin screening only when symptoms develop
Answer: C. Begin screening at age 45
Rationale: Current preventive-care recommendations for
average-risk adults call for colorectal cancer screening
beginning at age 45. Screening can be accomplished using
several accepted strategies, including stool-based testing and
structural examinations such as colonoscopy at guideline-
supported intervals. Waiting until symptoms appear is
inappropriate because colorectal cancer can be asymptomatic
during its early stages. Earlier screening may be appropriate for
individuals with increased-risk conditions or family histories.
Question 3
A 63-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history
currently smokes one pack per day. The patient has no
symptoms of lung cancer and has never been diagnosed with
lung cancer. Which screening approach is most appropriate?
A. Annual chest radiography
B. Annual low-dose CT of the chest
C. Sputum cytology every six months
D. No screening because the patient is asymptomatic
Answer: B. Annual low-dose CT of the chest
, Rationale: Adults in the recommended age range who have a
substantial cumulative smoking history and currently smoke or
recently quit are candidates for annual lung cancer screening
with low-dose computed tomography. Routine chest
radiography and sputum cytology have not demonstrated the
same mortality benefit for screening. The purpose of screening
is to detect lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage in
individuals with sufficient risk, even when they have no
symptoms.
Question 4
A 58-year-old patient reports gradually progressive difficulty
reading small print. Distance vision remains relatively
preserved, and there is no eye pain or redness. Which condition
is most likely?
A. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
B. Presbyopia
C. Bacterial conjunctivitis
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: B. Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is an age-related reduction in the eye's
ability to accommodate for near vision. Patients typically notice
difficulty reading or performing close work while distance vision
Primary Care I Practice Exam 2026/2027
Practice Questions & Study Guide | Complete
Exam-Style Questions with Correct Detailed
Answers & Rationales (Reliable Answers)
Question 1
A 52-year-old patient presents for an annual primary care visit.
The patient has no history of cardiovascular disease, diabetes,
or chronic kidney disease. Blood pressure is 148/92 mmHg. The
patient reports that previous readings at home have usually
been around 130–135/80–84 mmHg. Which action is most
appropriate before diagnosing persistent hypertension?
A. Immediately begin two antihypertensive medications
B. Repeat the office measurement using proper technique and
obtain out-of-office readings
C. Diagnose stage 2 hypertension based solely on today's
reading
D. Reassure the patient that the office reading is clinically
insignificant
,Answer: B. Repeat the office measurement using proper
technique and obtain out-of-office readings
Rationale: Blood pressure diagnosis should not ordinarily be
based on a single elevated office measurement when the
clinical situation allows confirmation. Proper measurement
technique includes appropriate cuff size, adequate rest,
supported positioning, and repeated readings. Home blood
pressure monitoring or ambulatory blood pressure monitoring
can help identify sustained hypertension, white-coat
hypertension, or masked hypertension. Although the office
value is elevated enough to warrant evaluation, the patient's
consistently lower home readings make confirmation
particularly important before labeling the patient with
persistent hypertension or initiating long-term therapy.
Question 2
A 47-year-old average-risk adult asks when colorectal cancer
screening should begin. The patient has no personal history of
colorectal cancer, inflammatory bowel disease, adenomatous
polyps, or significant family history. Which recommendation is
most appropriate?
A. Begin screening at age 55
B. Begin screening at age 50
,C. Begin screening at age 45
D. Begin screening only when symptoms develop
Answer: C. Begin screening at age 45
Rationale: Current preventive-care recommendations for
average-risk adults call for colorectal cancer screening
beginning at age 45. Screening can be accomplished using
several accepted strategies, including stool-based testing and
structural examinations such as colonoscopy at guideline-
supported intervals. Waiting until symptoms appear is
inappropriate because colorectal cancer can be asymptomatic
during its early stages. Earlier screening may be appropriate for
individuals with increased-risk conditions or family histories.
Question 3
A 63-year-old patient with a 40-pack-year smoking history
currently smokes one pack per day. The patient has no
symptoms of lung cancer and has never been diagnosed with
lung cancer. Which screening approach is most appropriate?
A. Annual chest radiography
B. Annual low-dose CT of the chest
C. Sputum cytology every six months
D. No screening because the patient is asymptomatic
Answer: B. Annual low-dose CT of the chest
, Rationale: Adults in the recommended age range who have a
substantial cumulative smoking history and currently smoke or
recently quit are candidates for annual lung cancer screening
with low-dose computed tomography. Routine chest
radiography and sputum cytology have not demonstrated the
same mortality benefit for screening. The purpose of screening
is to detect lung cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage in
individuals with sufficient risk, even when they have no
symptoms.
Question 4
A 58-year-old patient reports gradually progressive difficulty
reading small print. Distance vision remains relatively
preserved, and there is no eye pain or redness. Which condition
is most likely?
A. Acute angle-closure glaucoma
B. Presbyopia
C. Bacterial conjunctivitis
D. Retinal detachment
Answer: B. Presbyopia
Rationale: Presbyopia is an age-related reduction in the eye's
ability to accommodate for near vision. Patients typically notice
difficulty reading or performing close work while distance vision
