NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2026
COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(Correct Answer Marked with ✓)**
Adult-Gerontology / Family NP Core Questions
1. Which vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy?
A. Tdap
B. Influenza (inactivated)
C. MMR ✓
D. Hepatitis B
2. Which medication is the first-line treatment for hypertension in a non-Black adult with
diabetes?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. ACE inhibitor ✓
C. Beta blocker
D. Calcium-channel blocker
3. A patient presents with sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache. What is the NP’s
priority?
A. Order ESR
B. Order non-contrast CT ✓
C. Prescribe NSAIDs
D. Order MRI with contrast
4. Which condition causes a deviated trachea away from the affected side?
A. Lobar pneumonia
B. COPD
, C. Tension pneumothorax ✓
D. Pleural effusion (small)
5. Which finding is typical of iron-deficiency anemia?
A. High MCV
B. High ferritin
C. Low MCV ✓
D. Normal RDW
6. Best first test for suspected appendicitis in adults?
A. X-ray
B. CT abdomen ✓
C. Colonoscopy
D. Ultrasound
7. Which medication requires routine monitoring of TSH levels?
A. Metformin
B. Levothyroxine ✓
C. Lisinopril
D. Atorvastatin
8. A positive Phalen’s test indicates:
A. Tennis elbow
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✓
C. Rotator cuff injury
D. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
9. A child with “steeple sign” on X-ray likely has:
A. Epiglottitis
B. Asthma
C. Croup ✓
D. Bronchiolitis
10. Classic symptom of unstable angina:
A. Pain relieved by rest
B. Pain unpredictable and worsening ✓
C. Pain only with deep breathing
D. Sharp localized pain
11. Peak flow below 50% indicates:
A. Controlled asthma
, B. Mild asthma
C. Severe exacerbation ✓
D. No obstruction
12. Which vitamin deficiency can lead to neuropathy?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin B12 ✓
D. Vitamin K
13. Which test confirms HIV?
A. ELISA
B. Western blot ✓
C. CBC
D. CMP
14. Which drug is used to treat acute COPD exacerbation?
A. Oral steroids ✓
B. Long-acting beta agonist
C. Antibiotics only
D. Antihistamines
15. Elevated TSH with low T4 indicates:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Primary hypothyroidism ✓
C. Secondary hyperthyroidism
D. Normal thyroid function
16. Which is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Kussmaul respirations ✓
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
17. Lyme disease erythema migrans rash is described as:
A. Raised and scaly
B. Target-shaped ✓
C. Vesicular
D. Petechial
, 18. Drug of choice for acute otitis media:
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Amoxicillin ✓
C. Azithromycin
D. TMP-SMX
19. Which cardiac murmur increases with Valsalva?
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ✓
C. Mitral stenosis
D. Aortic regurgitation
20. Which electrolyte imbalance is caused by loop diuretics?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✓
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Women’s Health & Obstetrics
21. Preferred imaging during pregnancy:
A. CT abdomen
B. MRI without contrast ✓
C. PET scan
D. X-ray
22. Which infection must be treated during pregnancy due to fetal risk?
A. Bacterial vaginosis
B. Gonorrhea ✓
C. HPV
D. Yeast infection
23. Normal fetal heart rate range:
A. 80–120
B. 110–160 ✓
C. 150–200
D. 70–100
EXAM 2026
COMPLETE 100 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS
(Correct Answer Marked with ✓)**
Adult-Gerontology / Family NP Core Questions
1. Which vaccine is contraindicated in pregnancy?
A. Tdap
B. Influenza (inactivated)
C. MMR ✓
D. Hepatitis B
2. Which medication is the first-line treatment for hypertension in a non-Black adult with
diabetes?
A. Thiazide diuretic
B. ACE inhibitor ✓
C. Beta blocker
D. Calcium-channel blocker
3. A patient presents with sudden, severe “thunderclap” headache. What is the NP’s
priority?
A. Order ESR
B. Order non-contrast CT ✓
C. Prescribe NSAIDs
D. Order MRI with contrast
4. Which condition causes a deviated trachea away from the affected side?
A. Lobar pneumonia
B. COPD
, C. Tension pneumothorax ✓
D. Pleural effusion (small)
5. Which finding is typical of iron-deficiency anemia?
A. High MCV
B. High ferritin
C. Low MCV ✓
D. Normal RDW
6. Best first test for suspected appendicitis in adults?
A. X-ray
B. CT abdomen ✓
C. Colonoscopy
D. Ultrasound
7. Which medication requires routine monitoring of TSH levels?
A. Metformin
B. Levothyroxine ✓
C. Lisinopril
D. Atorvastatin
8. A positive Phalen’s test indicates:
A. Tennis elbow
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✓
C. Rotator cuff injury
D. De Quervain’s tenosynovitis
9. A child with “steeple sign” on X-ray likely has:
A. Epiglottitis
B. Asthma
C. Croup ✓
D. Bronchiolitis
10. Classic symptom of unstable angina:
A. Pain relieved by rest
B. Pain unpredictable and worsening ✓
C. Pain only with deep breathing
D. Sharp localized pain
11. Peak flow below 50% indicates:
A. Controlled asthma
, B. Mild asthma
C. Severe exacerbation ✓
D. No obstruction
12. Which vitamin deficiency can lead to neuropathy?
A. Vitamin A
B. Vitamin C
C. Vitamin B12 ✓
D. Vitamin K
13. Which test confirms HIV?
A. ELISA
B. Western blot ✓
C. CBC
D. CMP
14. Which drug is used to treat acute COPD exacerbation?
A. Oral steroids ✓
B. Long-acting beta agonist
C. Antibiotics only
D. Antihistamines
15. Elevated TSH with low T4 indicates:
A. Hyperthyroidism
B. Primary hypothyroidism ✓
C. Secondary hyperthyroidism
D. Normal thyroid function
16. Which is a symptom of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)?
A. Bradycardia
B. Kussmaul respirations ✓
C. Weight gain
D. Constipation
17. Lyme disease erythema migrans rash is described as:
A. Raised and scaly
B. Target-shaped ✓
C. Vesicular
D. Petechial
, 18. Drug of choice for acute otitis media:
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Amoxicillin ✓
C. Azithromycin
D. TMP-SMX
19. Which cardiac murmur increases with Valsalva?
A. Aortic stenosis
B. Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy ✓
C. Mitral stenosis
D. Aortic regurgitation
20. Which electrolyte imbalance is caused by loop diuretics?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypokalemia ✓
C. Hypernatremia
D. Hypercalcemia
Women’s Health & Obstetrics
21. Preferred imaging during pregnancy:
A. CT abdomen
B. MRI without contrast ✓
C. PET scan
D. X-ray
22. Which infection must be treated during pregnancy due to fetal risk?
A. Bacterial vaginosis
B. Gonorrhea ✓
C. HPV
D. Yeast infection
23. Normal fetal heart rate range:
A. 80–120
B. 110–160 ✓
C. 150–200
D. 70–100
