Pre-Predictor Exam NSG6998 – Family
Nurse Practitioner (FNP), South
University – Complete Exam Questions
and Detailed Answers with Rationales
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of pre-
predictor exam questions with detailed answer explanations
for the NSG6998 Family Nurse Practitioner course at South
University. It covers high-yield primary care topics including
cardiology, endocrinology, pediatrics, geriatrics,
pharmacology, diagnostics, dermatology, and clinical decision-
making aligned with FNP board-style exams.
The material is designed as a complete exam preparation
resource, ideal for reinforcing core concepts and practicing
exam-level clinical reasoning.
Exam Questions and Answers:
A 75 year-old patient with long-standing hypertension takes an
ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic daily. He has developed
dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema over the past
several days. This probably indicates: ---Correct Answer---
development of heart failure (HF).
,The symptoms of dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema
are symptoms of mild HF. Long standing hypertension is a risk
factor for HF. Noncompliance with medication and fluid or
sodium excess might result in peripheral edema and
development of heart failure.
The carotid arteries are auscultated for bruits because: ---
Correct Answer---this is indicative of generalized
atherosclerosis.
Asymptomatic bruits in the carotid area are more indicative of
atherosclerotic disease than increased stroke risk. A
symptomatic bruit requires attention immediately. Patients
with carotid artery disease are more likely to die of
cardiovascular disease than cerebrovascular disease. The
Framingham Heart Study found that patients with an
asymptomatic carotid bruit were at increased risk of stroke,
but, the majority of strokes occurred in an area away from the
carotid artery. The overall risk of stroke was insignificant
when an asymptomatic carotid bruit was identified.
A common, early finding in patients who have chronic aortic
regurgitation (AR) is: ---Correct Answer---an hypertrophied
left ventricle.
,The left ventricle enlarges as blood regurgitates from the
aorta. Atrial fibrillation is not typical or usual in aortic
regurgitation (AR) since neither atrium is affected. Pulmonary
congestion is seen later in the pathogenesis of AR. The blood
pressure in patients with AR is characterized by an elevated
systolic and decreased diastolic pressure. This is termed a
wide pulse pressure.
Mrs. Jones is an 85 year old who has average blood pressures
of 170/70. What agent would be a good starting medication to
normalize her blood pressure? ---Correct Answer---Amlodipine
This patient has isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), common
in the elderly population. Long acting calcium channel blockers
(CCB), specifically those with the suffix "pine", and thiazide
diuretics, are recommended for starting treatment in patients
with ISH. Amlodipine is probably a better choice in this patient
because she needs a substantial decrease in her systolic blood
pressure. Thiazide-type diuretics produce an average decrease
of 5-10 points in the systolic blood pressure. The CCBs are
more potent and a more significant decrease in blood pressure
could be expected.
, An elderly hypertensive patient has osteoporosis. Which
antihypertensive agent would have the secondary effect of
improving her osteoporosis? ---Correct Answer---A thiazide
diuretic
Thiazide diuretics have the secondary effect of increasing
serum calcium by decreasing fluid. This makes more calcium
available for absorption. This would not be used to treat a
patient with osteoporosis, but, this mechanism of action could
be helpful as an adjunct for patients who are receiving other
forms of treatment for osteoporosis. The other agents listed
would have no effect on osteoporosis. Calcium channel
blockers impede movement of calcium into cells. This has no
effect on available serum calcium.
Ramipril has been initiated at a low dose in a patient with
heart failure. What is most important to monitor in about one
week? ---Correct Answer---Potassium level
ACE inhibitors work in the kidney in the renin angiotensin
aldosterone system and can impair renal excretion of
potassium in patients with normal kidney function. In patients
with impaired renal blood flow and/or function, the risk of
hyperkalemia is increased. Common practice is to monitor
potassium, BUN, and Cr at about one week after initiation of
Nurse Practitioner (FNP), South
University – Complete Exam Questions
and Detailed Answers with Rationales
Introduction:
This document contains a comprehensive collection of pre-
predictor exam questions with detailed answer explanations
for the NSG6998 Family Nurse Practitioner course at South
University. It covers high-yield primary care topics including
cardiology, endocrinology, pediatrics, geriatrics,
pharmacology, diagnostics, dermatology, and clinical decision-
making aligned with FNP board-style exams.
The material is designed as a complete exam preparation
resource, ideal for reinforcing core concepts and practicing
exam-level clinical reasoning.
Exam Questions and Answers:
A 75 year-old patient with long-standing hypertension takes an
ACE inhibitor and a thiazide diuretic daily. He has developed
dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema over the past
several days. This probably indicates: ---Correct Answer---
development of heart failure (HF).
,The symptoms of dyspnea on exertion and peripheral edema
are symptoms of mild HF. Long standing hypertension is a risk
factor for HF. Noncompliance with medication and fluid or
sodium excess might result in peripheral edema and
development of heart failure.
The carotid arteries are auscultated for bruits because: ---
Correct Answer---this is indicative of generalized
atherosclerosis.
Asymptomatic bruits in the carotid area are more indicative of
atherosclerotic disease than increased stroke risk. A
symptomatic bruit requires attention immediately. Patients
with carotid artery disease are more likely to die of
cardiovascular disease than cerebrovascular disease. The
Framingham Heart Study found that patients with an
asymptomatic carotid bruit were at increased risk of stroke,
but, the majority of strokes occurred in an area away from the
carotid artery. The overall risk of stroke was insignificant
when an asymptomatic carotid bruit was identified.
A common, early finding in patients who have chronic aortic
regurgitation (AR) is: ---Correct Answer---an hypertrophied
left ventricle.
,The left ventricle enlarges as blood regurgitates from the
aorta. Atrial fibrillation is not typical or usual in aortic
regurgitation (AR) since neither atrium is affected. Pulmonary
congestion is seen later in the pathogenesis of AR. The blood
pressure in patients with AR is characterized by an elevated
systolic and decreased diastolic pressure. This is termed a
wide pulse pressure.
Mrs. Jones is an 85 year old who has average blood pressures
of 170/70. What agent would be a good starting medication to
normalize her blood pressure? ---Correct Answer---Amlodipine
This patient has isolated systolic hypertension (ISH), common
in the elderly population. Long acting calcium channel blockers
(CCB), specifically those with the suffix "pine", and thiazide
diuretics, are recommended for starting treatment in patients
with ISH. Amlodipine is probably a better choice in this patient
because she needs a substantial decrease in her systolic blood
pressure. Thiazide-type diuretics produce an average decrease
of 5-10 points in the systolic blood pressure. The CCBs are
more potent and a more significant decrease in blood pressure
could be expected.
, An elderly hypertensive patient has osteoporosis. Which
antihypertensive agent would have the secondary effect of
improving her osteoporosis? ---Correct Answer---A thiazide
diuretic
Thiazide diuretics have the secondary effect of increasing
serum calcium by decreasing fluid. This makes more calcium
available for absorption. This would not be used to treat a
patient with osteoporosis, but, this mechanism of action could
be helpful as an adjunct for patients who are receiving other
forms of treatment for osteoporosis. The other agents listed
would have no effect on osteoporosis. Calcium channel
blockers impede movement of calcium into cells. This has no
effect on available serum calcium.
Ramipril has been initiated at a low dose in a patient with
heart failure. What is most important to monitor in about one
week? ---Correct Answer---Potassium level
ACE inhibitors work in the kidney in the renin angiotensin
aldosterone system and can impair renal excretion of
potassium in patients with normal kidney function. In patients
with impaired renal blood flow and/or function, the risk of
hyperkalemia is increased. Common practice is to monitor
potassium, BUN, and Cr at about one week after initiation of
