NURSE PRACTITIONER CERTIFICATION
EXAM 2026 — 100 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
1–20: Assessment & Diagnosis
1. A 45-year-old smoker presents with chronic productive cough for 3 months each year for
the past 2 years. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis ✓
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis
2. Best initial diagnostic test for suspected heart failure?
A. BNP level ✓
B. Chest x-ray
C. EKG
D. Troponin
3. A unilateral, hard, non-tender breast mass in a 52-year-old woman suggests:
A. Fibrocystic breast disease
B. Fibroadenoma
C. Breast cancer ✓
D. Mastitis
4. Positive McMurray test indicates:
A. ACL tear
B. Meniscal injury ✓
C. MCL tear
D. Patellar dislocation
5. The best screening test for diabetes is:
A. Random glucose
B. A1C ✓
, C. Fasting insulin
D. 2-hr glucose only
6. A patient with fever, flank pain, and CVA tenderness likely has:
A. Cystitis
B. Urethritis
C. Pyelonephritis ✓
D. Nephrolithiasis
7. Classic finding in COPD emphysema:
A. Chronic cough
B. Barrel chest ✓
C. Productive sputum
D. Weight gain
8. A child with barky cough and stridor likely has:
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Epiglottitis
C. Croup ✓
D. Pertussis
9. Irregularly irregular rhythm suggests:
A. Ventricular tachycardia
B. Sinus arrhythmia
C. Atrial fibrillation ✓
D. Atrial flutter
10. The most sensitive test for HIV infection:
A. Western blot
B. ELISA
C. HIV RNA PCR ✓
D. CD4 count
11. Which disorder causes moon face and truncal obesity?
A. Addison’s
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Cushing’s syndrome ✓
D. Pheochromocytoma
12. A 6-year-old with “slapped cheek” rash likely has:
A. Scarlet fever
, B. Rubella
C. Fifth disease ✓
D. Measles
13. A 70-year-old with sudden unilateral vision loss:
A. Cataract
B. Glaucoma
C. Retinal detachment ✓
D. Macular degeneration
14. A positive Rovsing sign indicates:
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis ✓
C. Pancreatitis
D. Diverticulitis
15. S3 heart sound is associated with:
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure ✓
C. CAD
D. Pericarditis
16. First-line imaging for suspected gallstones:
A. CT scan
B. MRI
C. Ultrasound ✓
D. X-ray
17. An erythematous, hot, swollen joint suggests:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Bursitis
C. Septic arthritis ✓
D. Plantar fasciitis
18. Best test for diagnosing OSA?
A. CXR
B. Spirometry
C. Sleep study ✓
D. CT neck
, 19. Miliaria in newborns is also known as:
A. Heat rash ✓
B. Diaper rash
C. Impetigo
D. Candidiasis
20. A positive Phalen test indicates:
A. Tennis elbow
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✓
C. Trigger finger
D. De Quervain’s
21–40: Pharmacology
21. First-line antibiotic for acute otitis media:
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin ✓
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Doxycycline
22. ACE inhibitors commonly cause:
A. Edema
B. Constipation
C. Dry cough ✓
D. Rash
23. Statins are contraindicated in:
A. HTN
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Pregnancy ✓
D. Diabetes
24. Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose:
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil ✓
C. Atropine
D. Protamine
EXAM 2026 — 100 QUESTIONS &
ANSWERS
1–20: Assessment & Diagnosis
1. A 45-year-old smoker presents with chronic productive cough for 3 months each year for
the past 2 years. Most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic bronchitis ✓
C. Emphysema
D. Bronchiectasis
2. Best initial diagnostic test for suspected heart failure?
A. BNP level ✓
B. Chest x-ray
C. EKG
D. Troponin
3. A unilateral, hard, non-tender breast mass in a 52-year-old woman suggests:
A. Fibrocystic breast disease
B. Fibroadenoma
C. Breast cancer ✓
D. Mastitis
4. Positive McMurray test indicates:
A. ACL tear
B. Meniscal injury ✓
C. MCL tear
D. Patellar dislocation
5. The best screening test for diabetes is:
A. Random glucose
B. A1C ✓
, C. Fasting insulin
D. 2-hr glucose only
6. A patient with fever, flank pain, and CVA tenderness likely has:
A. Cystitis
B. Urethritis
C. Pyelonephritis ✓
D. Nephrolithiasis
7. Classic finding in COPD emphysema:
A. Chronic cough
B. Barrel chest ✓
C. Productive sputum
D. Weight gain
8. A child with barky cough and stridor likely has:
A. Bronchiolitis
B. Epiglottitis
C. Croup ✓
D. Pertussis
9. Irregularly irregular rhythm suggests:
A. Ventricular tachycardia
B. Sinus arrhythmia
C. Atrial fibrillation ✓
D. Atrial flutter
10. The most sensitive test for HIV infection:
A. Western blot
B. ELISA
C. HIV RNA PCR ✓
D. CD4 count
11. Which disorder causes moon face and truncal obesity?
A. Addison’s
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Cushing’s syndrome ✓
D. Pheochromocytoma
12. A 6-year-old with “slapped cheek” rash likely has:
A. Scarlet fever
, B. Rubella
C. Fifth disease ✓
D. Measles
13. A 70-year-old with sudden unilateral vision loss:
A. Cataract
B. Glaucoma
C. Retinal detachment ✓
D. Macular degeneration
14. A positive Rovsing sign indicates:
A. Cholecystitis
B. Appendicitis ✓
C. Pancreatitis
D. Diverticulitis
15. S3 heart sound is associated with:
A. Hypertension
B. Heart failure ✓
C. CAD
D. Pericarditis
16. First-line imaging for suspected gallstones:
A. CT scan
B. MRI
C. Ultrasound ✓
D. X-ray
17. An erythematous, hot, swollen joint suggests:
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Bursitis
C. Septic arthritis ✓
D. Plantar fasciitis
18. Best test for diagnosing OSA?
A. CXR
B. Spirometry
C. Sleep study ✓
D. CT neck
, 19. Miliaria in newborns is also known as:
A. Heat rash ✓
B. Diaper rash
C. Impetigo
D. Candidiasis
20. A positive Phalen test indicates:
A. Tennis elbow
B. Carpal tunnel syndrome ✓
C. Trigger finger
D. De Quervain’s
21–40: Pharmacology
21. First-line antibiotic for acute otitis media:
A. Azithromycin
B. Amoxicillin ✓
C. Ciprofloxacin
D. Doxycycline
22. ACE inhibitors commonly cause:
A. Edema
B. Constipation
C. Dry cough ✓
D. Rash
23. Statins are contraindicated in:
A. HTN
B. Hypothyroidism
C. Pregnancy ✓
D. Diabetes
24. Antidote for benzodiazepine overdose:
A. Naloxone
B. Flumazenil ✓
C. Atropine
D. Protamine
