NP Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield NP facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. A nurse practitioner's practice adopts a Lean QI approach. Which concept is Lean PRIMARILY focused on eliminating? → Waste in processes that does not add patient value
2. An NP wants to find the highest-quality pre-appraised evidence quickly. Which resource is most appropriate? → Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews
3. An adult patient is being informed about asthma treatments by the nurse practitioner. Which administration sequence would be most suitable? → Albuterol, Flovent, Tobramycin
4. Which federal legislation established the framework for value-based purchasing and quality reporting for physicians and advanced practice providers? → MACRA (2015)
5. Which score is used at the bedside to predict 30-day mortality risk in community-acquired pneumonia to guide admission decisions? → CURB-65 score
6. Which strategy BEST prevents communication errors during patient transitions from hospital to home? → Structured discharge education with written instructions and confirmed follow-up
7. A patient with a penicillin allergy documented as 'hives and swelling' needs antibiotic coverage for a skin infection. The safest approach is to: → Use clindamycin or TMP-SMX as an alternative antibiotic class
8. A 55-year-old male with hypertension, dyslipidemia, and no prior cardiovascular events has a 10-year ASCVD risk of 8%. The recommended management is: → Discuss statin therapy with shared decision-making
9. A nurse practitioner is seeing a 28-year-old female patient who discloses intimate partner violence. Which action is the HIGHEST priority? → Assess immediate safety and provide referrals to local resources
10. A 60-year-old male reports rectal bleeding, change in bowel habits, and a 20-pound weight loss over three months. The NP's highest-priority action is: → Order urgent colonoscopy to rule out colorectal cancer
11. A patient with chronic low back pain asks about non-pharmacological management. Which first-line approach is supported by current clinical guidelines? → Superficial heat, physical therapy, and exercise
12. When a systematic review uses a PRISMA flow diagram, what information does it primarily convey? → The process of study identification, screening, eligibility, and inclusion
13. A pharmaceutical representative offers an NP an all-expenses-paid trip to a resort in exchange for prescribing a specific medication. This constitutes: → A violation of the Anti-Kickback Statute and professional ethics
14. According to USPSTF guidelines, at what age should average-risk adults begin colorectal cancer screening? → 45 years
15. An NP is documenting informed consent for a minor procedure. Which element is NOT required for valid informed consent? → The patient's insurance information
16. Which mechanism best describes how SSRIs achieve their antidepressant effect? → Selective inhibition of serotonin reuptake at the presynaptic terminal
17. A 78-year-old patient in the ICU is assessed using the ABCDEF bundle. What does the 'A' component represent? → Assess, prevent, and manage pain
18. What is the most effective communication approach for NP professionals? → Adapting communication style to the audience while maintaining accuracy and clarity
19. When using the PICO framework, what does the 'C' component represent? → Comparison or control intervention
20. A patient who has been taking lorazepam 4 mg daily for 3 years abruptly stops the medication. Which life-threatening complication must the NP anticipate? → Benzodiazepine withdrawal seizures
21. Which type of measure assesses what actually happens to the patient as a result of care, such as mortality rate or functional status? → Outcome measure
22. A 77-year-old develops acute tubular necrosis (ATN) after contrast administration. Which urinalysis finding is most characteristic of ATN? → Muddy brown granular casts
23. Which action by an NP BEST demonstrates the professional standard of 'leadership'? → Mentoring a new NP graduate and advocating for policy changes within the institution
24. How should NP professionals apply research findings to practice? → Critically evaluate applicability, adapt to context, and monitor outcomes
25. When managing a conflict between two members of the healthcare team, the NP leader should first: → Bring both parties together to discuss the issue using neutral facilitation
26. A patient says, 'I don't think this medication is working.' The NP's BEST therapeutic response is: → 'What makes you feel it is not working?'
27. What is the importance of data security in NP digital applications? → Protecting sensitive information from unauthorized access, breaches, and loss is essential
28. Which documentation practice BEST supports clear communication among the care team? → Writing objective, concise notes using standardized terminology
29. Which of the following is the most appropriate screening tool for depression in a primary care setting for adults? → Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9)
30. A 4-year-old is diagnosed with attention-deficit disorder. According to AAP guidelines, what is the first-line treatment? → Behavior therapy alone