NSG 6998 CERTIFICATION EXAM
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
▶ A 25-year-old woman's last menstrual period was 6 weeks ago. She is
complaining of nausea with vomiting in the morning and fatigue. Her
breasts feel bloated. The nurse practitioner suspects that she is pregnant.
Her symptoms would be considered:
A) Positive signs of pregnancy
B) Probable signs of pregnancy
C) Presumptive signs of pregnancy
D) Possible signs of pregnancy. Answer: C) Presumptive signs of
pregnancy
Presumptive signs of pregnancy are symptoms experienced by the woman,
such as amenorrhea, breast tenderness, nausea/ vomiting, fatigue, and
increased urinary frequency.
▶ A 55-year-old male patient describes to you an episode of chest
tightness in his substernal area that radiated to his back while he was
jogging. It was relieved immediately when he stopped. Which of the
following conditions does this best describe?
A) Angina pectoris
B) Acute myocardial infarction
C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease
D) Acute costochondritis. Answer: A) Angina pectoris
Symptoms of angina pectoris include a pressing, squeezing, or crushing
pain, usually in the chest or back, arms, neck, or ear lobes. Weakness,
fatigue, and shortness of breath and pain radiating in the arms, shoulders,
jaw, neck, and/or back may also occur. Angina pectoris is most commonly
,brought on by physical exertion, but can also be triggered by stress and
other stressors to the body.
▶ Which of the following would you recommend to this 55-year-old patient?
A) Start an exercise program by starting with walking instead of jogging
B) Consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation
C) Consult with a gastroenterologist to rule out acute cholecystitis
D) Take ibuprofen (Advil) 600 mg for pain every 4 to 6 hours PRN.
Answer: B) Consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation
Physical assessment and examination by a cardiologist are advised to rule
out cardiac problems and deter- mine the safety of physical exercise.
▶ Carol, a 73-year-old patient, complains of episodic vertigo, slight
confusion, and weakness that last nearly an hour each time. Movement
does not worsen the vertigo. She "rests" and her symptoms subside, but
she is puzzled because the weakness "jumps from side to side,"
sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left of her body. Her
symptoms suggest:
A) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
C) TIA (transient ischemic attack)
D) CVA (cerebrovascular accident). Answer: C) TIA (transient ischemic
attack)
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by vascular occlusion. Symptoms
of a TIA usually last less than 1 hour; however, the symptoms may also be
permanent. Common signs/symptoms include neurologic deficits, vertigo,
confusion, weakness, hemiparesis, temporary monocular blindness, ataxia,
and diplopia.
▶ All of the following measures have been found to help lower the risk of
osteoporosis except:
A) Drinking organic juice
B) Eating low-fat dairy foods
C) Performing weight-bearing exercises
D) Vitamin D supplementation. Answer: A) Drinking organic juice
,Vitamin D levels must be sufficient for the body to absorb calcium. Eating
foods high in vitamin D and calcium along with calcium and vitamin D
supplements are advised to protect the bones and prevent bone loss.
Performing weight-bearing exercises daily also increases bone strength.
▶ A 28-year-old male nurse of Hispanic descent reports a history of a cold
that resolved 2 weeks ago except for a dry cough and pain over his right
cheek that worsens when he bends down. The patient denies fever. He
tells the employee health nurse practitioner that he is very allergic to both
cephalexin (Keflex) and erythromycin. The vital signs show that the
patient's temperature is 99.2 degrees Fahrenheit, a pulse of 72 beats per
minute, and a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Which of the
following conditions is most likely?
A) Acute sinusitis
B) Acute bronchitis
C) Fever secondary to the previous viral URI (upper respiratory infection)
D) Munchausen's syndrome. Answer: A) Acute sinusitis
Acute sinusitis symptoms include cough, facial pain, and low-grade fever.
▶ A 38-year-old multigravida who is at 32 weeks of gestation calls the
family nurse practitioner complaining of bright red vaginal bleeding. There
is no watery dis- charge. She complains that her uterus feels hard and is
very painful. Which of the following conditions is most likely?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placenta abruptio
C) A molar pregnancy
D) An ectopic pregnancy. Answer: B) Placenta abruptio
Abruptio placenta symptoms are bright red vaginal bleeding, board-like
uterus on palpation, and pain. However, there can be concealed
hemorrhage and the patient may not have vaginal bleeding. Placenta
previa is painless bleeding. Ectopic and molar pregnancy would not
progress to 32 weeks gestation
▶ The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is best described as:
, A) An immune-mediated reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large
number of spirochetes due to an antibiotic injection
B) Severe chills and elevated blood pressure
C) Caused by infection with either Chlamydia trachomatis or gonorrheal
infection of the liver capsule
D) Associated with certain viral illnesses. Answer: A) An immune-mediated
reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large number of spirochetes
due to an antibiotic injection
The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is defined as an immune-mediated
reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large number of spirochetes
due to the antibiotic injection.
▶ During a breast exam of a 30-year-old nulliparous female, the nurse
practitioner palpates several rubbery mobile areas of breast tissue. They
are slightly tender to palpation. Both breasts have symmetrical findings.
There are no skin changes or any nipple discharge. The patient is
expecting her menstrual period in 5 days. Which of the following would you
recommend?
A) Referral to a gynecologist for further evaluation
B) Tell her to return 1 week after her period so her breasts can be
rechecked
C) Advise the patient to return in 6 months to have her breasts rechecked
D) Schedule the patient for a mammogram. Answer: B)Tell her to return 1
week after her periods so her breasts can be rechecked
Prior to having menses, women will experience breast changes of
tenderness with palpation, with symmetrical soft, mobile areas of breast
tissue that are benign. Her symptoms should improve after her menses and
repeating the exam in 1 week would be recommended.
▶ When evaluating the blood pressure on both the arms and legs of an
infant who has a diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta, which of the
following is the correct finding?
A) The blood pressure is higher in the arms than in the legs
B) Only the diastolic blood pressure is higher in the legs than in the arms
C) The blood pressure is higher in the legs than the arms
QUESTIONS AND VERIFIED
ANSWERS 2026
▶ A 25-year-old woman's last menstrual period was 6 weeks ago. She is
complaining of nausea with vomiting in the morning and fatigue. Her
breasts feel bloated. The nurse practitioner suspects that she is pregnant.
Her symptoms would be considered:
A) Positive signs of pregnancy
B) Probable signs of pregnancy
C) Presumptive signs of pregnancy
D) Possible signs of pregnancy. Answer: C) Presumptive signs of
pregnancy
Presumptive signs of pregnancy are symptoms experienced by the woman,
such as amenorrhea, breast tenderness, nausea/ vomiting, fatigue, and
increased urinary frequency.
▶ A 55-year-old male patient describes to you an episode of chest
tightness in his substernal area that radiated to his back while he was
jogging. It was relieved immediately when he stopped. Which of the
following conditions does this best describe?
A) Angina pectoris
B) Acute myocardial infarction
C) Gastroesophageal reflux disease
D) Acute costochondritis. Answer: A) Angina pectoris
Symptoms of angina pectoris include a pressing, squeezing, or crushing
pain, usually in the chest or back, arms, neck, or ear lobes. Weakness,
fatigue, and shortness of breath and pain radiating in the arms, shoulders,
jaw, neck, and/or back may also occur. Angina pectoris is most commonly
,brought on by physical exertion, but can also be triggered by stress and
other stressors to the body.
▶ Which of the following would you recommend to this 55-year-old patient?
A) Start an exercise program by starting with walking instead of jogging
B) Consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation
C) Consult with a gastroenterologist to rule out acute cholecystitis
D) Take ibuprofen (Advil) 600 mg for pain every 4 to 6 hours PRN.
Answer: B) Consult with a cardiologist for further evaluation
Physical assessment and examination by a cardiologist are advised to rule
out cardiac problems and deter- mine the safety of physical exercise.
▶ Carol, a 73-year-old patient, complains of episodic vertigo, slight
confusion, and weakness that last nearly an hour each time. Movement
does not worsen the vertigo. She "rests" and her symptoms subside, but
she is puzzled because the weakness "jumps from side to side,"
sometimes on the right and sometimes on the left of her body. Her
symptoms suggest:
A) Benign paroxysmal positional vertigo
C) TIA (transient ischemic attack)
D) CVA (cerebrovascular accident). Answer: C) TIA (transient ischemic
attack)
Transient ischemic attack (TIA) is caused by vascular occlusion. Symptoms
of a TIA usually last less than 1 hour; however, the symptoms may also be
permanent. Common signs/symptoms include neurologic deficits, vertigo,
confusion, weakness, hemiparesis, temporary monocular blindness, ataxia,
and diplopia.
▶ All of the following measures have been found to help lower the risk of
osteoporosis except:
A) Drinking organic juice
B) Eating low-fat dairy foods
C) Performing weight-bearing exercises
D) Vitamin D supplementation. Answer: A) Drinking organic juice
,Vitamin D levels must be sufficient for the body to absorb calcium. Eating
foods high in vitamin D and calcium along with calcium and vitamin D
supplements are advised to protect the bones and prevent bone loss.
Performing weight-bearing exercises daily also increases bone strength.
▶ A 28-year-old male nurse of Hispanic descent reports a history of a cold
that resolved 2 weeks ago except for a dry cough and pain over his right
cheek that worsens when he bends down. The patient denies fever. He
tells the employee health nurse practitioner that he is very allergic to both
cephalexin (Keflex) and erythromycin. The vital signs show that the
patient's temperature is 99.2 degrees Fahrenheit, a pulse of 72 beats per
minute, and a respiratory rate of 12 breaths per minute. Which of the
following conditions is most likely?
A) Acute sinusitis
B) Acute bronchitis
C) Fever secondary to the previous viral URI (upper respiratory infection)
D) Munchausen's syndrome. Answer: A) Acute sinusitis
Acute sinusitis symptoms include cough, facial pain, and low-grade fever.
▶ A 38-year-old multigravida who is at 32 weeks of gestation calls the
family nurse practitioner complaining of bright red vaginal bleeding. There
is no watery dis- charge. She complains that her uterus feels hard and is
very painful. Which of the following conditions is most likely?
A) Placenta previa
B) Placenta abruptio
C) A molar pregnancy
D) An ectopic pregnancy. Answer: B) Placenta abruptio
Abruptio placenta symptoms are bright red vaginal bleeding, board-like
uterus on palpation, and pain. However, there can be concealed
hemorrhage and the patient may not have vaginal bleeding. Placenta
previa is painless bleeding. Ectopic and molar pregnancy would not
progress to 32 weeks gestation
▶ The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is best described as:
, A) An immune-mediated reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large
number of spirochetes due to an antibiotic injection
B) Severe chills and elevated blood pressure
C) Caused by infection with either Chlamydia trachomatis or gonorrheal
infection of the liver capsule
D) Associated with certain viral illnesses. Answer: A) An immune-mediated
reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large number of spirochetes
due to an antibiotic injection
The Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction is defined as an immune-mediated
reaction precipitated by the destruction of a large number of spirochetes
due to the antibiotic injection.
▶ During a breast exam of a 30-year-old nulliparous female, the nurse
practitioner palpates several rubbery mobile areas of breast tissue. They
are slightly tender to palpation. Both breasts have symmetrical findings.
There are no skin changes or any nipple discharge. The patient is
expecting her menstrual period in 5 days. Which of the following would you
recommend?
A) Referral to a gynecologist for further evaluation
B) Tell her to return 1 week after her period so her breasts can be
rechecked
C) Advise the patient to return in 6 months to have her breasts rechecked
D) Schedule the patient for a mammogram. Answer: B)Tell her to return 1
week after her periods so her breasts can be rechecked
Prior to having menses, women will experience breast changes of
tenderness with palpation, with symmetrical soft, mobile areas of breast
tissue that are benign. Her symptoms should improve after her menses and
repeating the exam in 1 week would be recommended.
▶ When evaluating the blood pressure on both the arms and legs of an
infant who has a diagnosis of coarctation of the aorta, which of the
following is the correct finding?
A) The blood pressure is higher in the arms than in the legs
B) Only the diastolic blood pressure is higher in the legs than in the arms
C) The blood pressure is higher in the legs than the arms
