LEIK FAMILY NURSE PRACTITIONER
BOARD EXAM PREP (2026/2027)
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of ‘the worst headache of my life’
accompanied by photophobia and neck stiffness. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Migraine headache
B. Tension-type headache
C. Cluster headache
D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A sudden, severe ‘thunderclap’ headache often described as the
‘worst headache of my life’ is the classic presentation of a subarachnoid hemorrhage,
usually caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
,2. Which heart murmur is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border, and
radiates to the carotid arteries?
A. Aortic Stenosis
B. Mitral Regurgitation
C. Mitral Stenosis
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic Stenosis is a systolic murmur heard at the right upper
sternal border that radiates to the neck/carotids.
3. A patient with a history of hypertension presents with a dry, hacking cough. Which
medication is most likely responsible for this side effect?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Hydrochlorothiazide
D. Losartan
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are well-known for causing a dry
cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs.
, 4. What is the first-line treatment for a patient diagnosed with uncomplicated Community-
Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) with no comorbidities and no recent antibiotic use?
A. Levofloxacin
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Amoxicillin 1g TID
D. Ceftriaxone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Per current guidelines, high-dose Amoxicillin or Doxycycline are
first-line for healthy adults without comorbidities for CAP.
5. A positive Murphy’s sign is indicative of which condition?
A. Acute Appendicitis
B. Acute Pancreatitis
C. Acute Cholecystitis
D. Nephrolithiasis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign involves inspiratory arrest during deep palpation
of the right upper quadrant, indicating gallbladder inflammation.
BOARD EXAM PREP (2026/2027)
QUESTIONS WITH ANSWERS
1. A 65-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of ‘the worst headache of my life’
accompanied by photophobia and neck stiffness. Which of the following is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Migraine headache
B. Tension-type headache
C. Cluster headache
D. Subarachnoid hemorrhage
Answer: D
Conceptual Explanation: A sudden, severe ‘thunderclap’ headache often described as the
‘worst headache of my life’ is the classic presentation of a subarachnoid hemorrhage,
usually caused by a ruptured aneurysm.
,2. Which heart murmur is best heard at the 2nd intercostal space, right sternal border, and
radiates to the carotid arteries?
A. Aortic Stenosis
B. Mitral Regurgitation
C. Mitral Stenosis
D. Aortic Regurgitation
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: Aortic Stenosis is a systolic murmur heard at the right upper
sternal border that radiates to the neck/carotids.
3. A patient with a history of hypertension presents with a dry, hacking cough. Which
medication is most likely responsible for this side effect?
A. Lisinopril
B. Amlodipine
C. Hydrochlorothiazide
D. Losartan
Answer: A
Conceptual Explanation: ACE inhibitors like Lisinopril are well-known for causing a dry
cough due to the accumulation of bradykinin in the lungs.
, 4. What is the first-line treatment for a patient diagnosed with uncomplicated Community-
Acquired Pneumonia (CAP) with no comorbidities and no recent antibiotic use?
A. Levofloxacin
B. Ciprofloxacin
C. Amoxicillin 1g TID
D. Ceftriaxone
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Per current guidelines, high-dose Amoxicillin or Doxycycline are
first-line for healthy adults without comorbidities for CAP.
5. A positive Murphy’s sign is indicative of which condition?
A. Acute Appendicitis
B. Acute Pancreatitis
C. Acute Cholecystitis
D. Nephrolithiasis
Answer: C
Conceptual Explanation: Murphy’s sign involves inspiratory arrest during deep palpation
of the right upper quadrant, indicating gallbladder inflammation.
