FNP Practice Questions

Q: What subjects and topics are covered on the exam?

The exam is competency-based and tests five main domains: Assessment (19%) – Gathering subjective and objective data Diagnosis (17%) – Synthesizing and analyzing patient information Planning (19%) – Developing evidence-based care plans Implementation (29%) – Executing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions Evaluation (15%) – Monitoring outcomes and modifying plans of care

Q: What are the most useful topics to study?

Focus on core clinical content across the lifespan: Body Systems: Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal, Neurologic Pharmacotherapeutics: Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics Patient Age Groups: From infancy through older adulthood Professional Role: Legal, ethical, and regulatory topics, evidence-based practice, and health policy Musculoskeletal topics: Including but not limited to connective tissue, muscle, joints, bones, and musculoskeletal disorders

Ready to test your FNP exam knowledge? Access 10 free Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) practice questions designed by experts to mirror the actual exam. Each question includes detailed rationales to help you understand the “why” behind every correct answer - so you can study smarter, not harder.

Finish to unlock your free 7-day trial of the FNP online exam prep course.

Question 1

A patient who was prescribed tretinoin topical (Retin-A) cream 2 weeks ago returns to report that their acne has worsened since starting the medication. The nurse practitioner should:

A. Advise the patient to continue the medication B. Discontinue the medication due to an allergic reaction C. Prescribe minocycline (Minocin) for 4 weeks D. Encourage heavy exfoliation of the area prior to application

Question 2

An 18-year-old female presents with dysuria, frequency, urgency, and suprapubic pain; UA shows leukocyte esterase and nitrites. What is the most appropriate initial step?

A. Obtain a urine culture B. Start empirical antibiotic therapy C. Perform a renal ultrasound D. Recommend lifestyle modifications

Question 3

A patient with prior DVT plans pregnancy. What should the NP discuss?

A. Prophylactic anticoagulation therapy B. Regular blood pressure monitoring C. Low-dose aspirin regimen D. Dietary modifications

Question 4

38-year-old violinist with lateral epicondyle pain; pain with resisted wrist extension. Most appropriate initial treatment?

A. Surgical tendon release B. Wrist splinting in flexion C. Course of oral antibiotics D. Rest, ice, and NSAIDs

Question 5

Clear, loud whispered voice during peripheral auscultation suggests:

A. Normal finding B. Area of consolidation (pneumonia) C. Pneumothorax D. Tumor causing bronchial obstruction

Question 6

15-year-old with primary amenorrhea and minimal/no breast development; pregnancy test negative. Next step?

A. Order a bone age B. CT of the sella turcica C. Draw FSH, LH, and TSH D. Reassure; likely to start soon

Question 7

5 weeks postpartum, poor hygiene, inattentive to infant’s cries. Which tool initially?

A. Beck Depression Inventory B. CAGE questionnaire C. Mini-Mental State Exam D. GAD scale

Question 8

65-year-old male with sudden severe right-sided chest pain, diaphoresis, anxiety. Most appropriate initial diagnostic test?

A. Chest x-ray B. EKG C. CT scan D. MRI

Question 9

Diabetic patient has elevated fasting glucose despite adherence and no night snacking. What helps diagnose/manage this?

A. Check glucose before dinner B. Morning oral glucose tolerance test C. Check blood glucose at 3 a.m. D. Check A1C

Question 10

24-year-old, sexually active, NAAT positive for chlamydia; pregnancy test negative; no allergies. First-line treatment?

A. Azithromycin 1 g PO once B. Levofloxacin 500 mg PO daily x 7 C. Doxycycline 100 mg PO BID x 7 D. Amoxicillin 500 mg PO TID x 7

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Common FNP Questions on the Exam

These sample FNP practice questions reflect the question style and difficulty level you’ll see on the actual exam. Try a few below before starting your full quiz.

Sample Question 1

A 42-year-old patient complains of polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Fasting blood sugar is 135 mg/dL. Which test would you order next?

Hemoglobin A1C
2-hour oral glucose tolerance test
C-peptide level
Fasting insulin

Correct Answer: A. Hemoglobin A1C

Rationale: Hemoglobin A1C reflects 3-month average blood glucose, and is a preferred diagnostic test for type 2 diabetes in many adults.

Sample Question 2

A 68-year-old male, with a 30-pack-year smoking history, undergoes routine screening and is found to have a 2.8 cm lung nodule on CT. What is the next appropriate step?

PET scan
Bronchoscopy immediately
Repeat CT in 3 months
Biopsy now

Correct Answer: A. PET scan

Rationale: For nodules between 8–30 mm in a patient with risk factors, a PET scan helps stratify malignancy risk before invasive procedures.

Sample Question 3

Which drug is the first-line therapy for moderate to severe persistent asthma in adults?

Albuterol nebulizer
Montelukast
Inhaled corticosteroid (high-dose)
Ipratropium

Correct Answer: C. Inhaled corticosteroid (high-dose)

Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids are foundational for persistent asthma control; additional therapy is layered based on severity.

Sample Question 4

A patient presents with sudden onset left-sided weakness and slurred speech. CT scan is negative for hemorrhage. What is the correct next step?

Initiate tPA if within window
Start aspirin only
Perform MRI first
Administer anticoagulant now

Correct Answer: A. Initiate tPA if within the treatment window

Rationale: For acute ischemic stroke, if within the therapeutic window and no contraindications, tPA is indicated to restore perfusion.

Sample Question 5

A 55-year-old woman with chronic kidney disease stage 3 is found to have a BP of 155/92 mmHg on two visits. What is your first-line antihypertensive choice?

Thiazide diuretic
ACE inhibitor
Beta-blocker
Calcium channel blocker

Correct Answer: B. ACE inhibitor

Rationale: In CKD with proteinuria or reduced GFR, ACE inhibitors provide renal protection and are preferred initial therapy for hypertension control.

Pro Tip: The real FNP exam includes 150 scored questions covering assessment, diagnosis, planning, and evaluation. Mastering question style and reasoning is key - not just memorization.

Frequently Asked Questions About FNP Exams

How many questions are on the ANCC FNP exam?

The ANCC FNP exam consists of 175 multiple-choice questions. Of these, 25 are unscored pretest items and do not count toward your final score.

How long is the ANCC FNP exam?

You have 3.5 hours to complete the exam.

What is the passing score for the ANCC FNP exam?

Out of 175 total questions on the ANCC exam, 150 are scored. To pass, you’ll need a scaled score of at least 350 out of 500.

How much does the ANCC FNP exam cost?

The exam fee is $395 for non-members of the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC). Active ANCC members receive a discounted rate of $295.

What are the eligibility requirements for the ANCC FNP exam?

You must hold an active RN license and a master’s, post-graduate certificate, or Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP) from an accredited program (CCNE, ACEN, or NLN). The degree must be in the Family Nurse Practitioner specialty.

What is the test format?

The FNP exam is a computer-based test with 175 questions (150 scored). It includes multiple-choice, multiple-answer, hot-spot, and drag-and-drop question types.

What subjects and topics are covered on the exam?

The exam is competency-based and tests five main domains:

Assessment (19%) – Gathering subjective and objective data
Diagnosis (17%) – Synthesizing and analyzing patient information
Planning (19%) – Developing evidence-based care plans
Implementation (29%) – Executing pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic interventions
Evaluation (15%) – Monitoring outcomes and modifying plans of care

What are the most useful topics to study?

Focus on core clinical content across the lifespan:

Body Systems: Cardiovascular, Endocrine, Gastrointestinal, Musculoskeletal, Neurologic
Pharmacotherapeutics: Pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics
Patient Age Groups: From infancy through older adulthood
Professional Role: Legal, ethical, and regulatory topics, evidence-based practice, and health policy
Musculoskeletal topics: Including but not limited to connective tissue, muscle, joints, bones, and musculoskeletal disorders

How is the ANCC FNP exam different from the AANPCB exam?

Both certify Family Nurse Practitioners, but the ANCC exam places slightly greater emphasis on professional role and policy content, while the AANPCB exam focuses more on clinical scenarios.

How can Springer Publishing help me prepare?

Springer Publishing offers the most comprehensive FNP prep materials available - including question banks, full-length practice exams, flashcards, and adaptive online study tools. All are developed by certified nurse practitioners and educators.

Frequently Asked Questions About FNP Exams

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FNP Practice Questions

Common FNP Questions on the Exam

Frequently Asked Questions About FNP Exams

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