Cheat sheet
AANP FNP-C Cheat Sheet
Cheat sheet AANP FNP-C Cheat Sheet Practice Questions Study Guide Print / Save PDF
Assess 32% of exam History and Physical Screening Guidelines Growth Milestones Mental Health Screens
Diagnose 26-27% of exam HTN Categories Diabetes Criteria Infection Clues Lab Interpretation
Plan 26-27% of exam Treatment Targets First-Line Drugs Immunization Schedule Antibiotic Selection
Evaluate 15% of exam Follow-Up Intervals Response Signals Referral Triggers Safety Monitoring
Quick Facts Exam AANPCB FNP-C Credential Family Nurse Practitioner Questions 150 total, 135 scored Time 3 hours Pass Score 500 scaled, 200-800 range Format Computer-based, Prometric centers Level Graduate NP certification Blueprint Date January 2, 2024
Depression Screen Mnemonic AS SIGECAPS: sleep, interest, guilt, energy, concentration, appetite, psychomotor, suicidality Sleep changes Interest loss Guilt feelings Energy loss Concentration problems Appetite change Psychomotor changes Suicidal ideation
Preventive Screening Start Ages AS Average-risk colon cancer → Start screening at 45 Average-risk breast cancer → Start mammography at 40 Cervical cancer screening → Start at age 21 Heavy smoker, ages 50-80 → Annual low-dose CT Postmenopausal woman, 65 plus → Order DEXA scan Overweight adult, ages 35-70 → Screen for diabetes
Pediatric Developmental Milestones AS 2 months Social smile appears 4 months Rolls over, laughs 6 months Sits unsupported, babbles 9 months Pulls to stand 12 months First words, walks alone 18 months Runs, 10-25 word vocabulary
Melanoma ABCDE Mnemonic AS ABCDE: asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolution Asymmetry irregular shape Border ragged edges Color varies within Diameter over 6mm Evolution over time
USPSTF Screening Guidelines AS Colorectal cancer Screening starts age 45 USPSTF Breast mammography Biennial, ages 40-74 Cervical cancer Screening starts age 21 Lung cancer LDCT Ages 50-80, 20 pack-years AAA screening Men 65-75 who smoked Diabetes screening Overweight adults ages 35-70 Depression screening All adults, use PHQ-9
Focused History Mnemonic AS SAMPLE: symptoms, allergies, meds, past history, last meal, events Symptoms onset Allergies known Medications current Past history Last oral intake Events leading up
Mental Health Screening Tools AS PHQ-9 Depression severity screen GAD-7 Anxiety severity screen CAGE Alcohol use screening tool Edinburgh scale Postpartum depression screening tool
Type 1 vs Type 2 Diabetes DI
Type 1 Autoimmune beta-cell destruction Always needs insulin Often younger onset
Type 2 Insulin resistance dominant Oral agents first-line Often adult onset Absolute vs relative insulin
HTN Diagnostic Categories DI Normal <120/80 mmHg ACC/AHA 2017 Elevated 120-129/<80 mmHg Stage 1 130-139/80-89 mmHg Stage 2 ≥140/90 mmHg HTN crisis >180/120 mmHg
IFG vs IGT Prediabetes DI
IFG Fasting glucose 100-125 Uses fasting glucose test
IGT 2-hour OGTT 140-199 Uses post-load glucose test Fasting vs post-load test
Diabetes Diagnostic Criteria DI A1C diabetes ≥6.5% confirms diagnosis ADA 2026 Fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL fasting 2-hr OGTT ≥200 mg/dL diabetes Random glucose ≥200 plus classic symptoms Prediabetes A1C 5.7-6.4% range IFG Fasting 100-125 mg/dL
Cystitis vs Pyelonephritis DI
Cystitis Dysuria and frequency only No fever or flank pain Oral outpatient therapy
Pyelonephritis Fever and flank pain Systemic illness signs May need IV therapy Local vs systemic infection
Infection Diagnostic Clues DI Centor criteria Predicts bacterial strep pharyngitis UTI dipstick Nitrites plus leukocyte esterase Pyelonephritis sign Fever plus flank pain Pneumonia sign Focal crackles, consolidation Mono triad Fever, pharyngitis, adenopathy
Primary vs Subclinical Hypothyroidism DI
Primary hypothyroid TSH is high Free T4 is low
Subclinical hypothyroid TSH is high Free T4 is normal Free T4 level decides
Acute Injury Care Mnemonic PL RICE: rest, ice, compression, elevation Rest the joint Ice 20 minutes Compress with wrap Elevate the limb
JNC8 vs ACC/AHA HTN Targets PL
JNC8 (2014) Goal under 60 is 140/90 Goal 60 plus is 150/90
ACC/AHA (2017) Goal is under 130/80 Redefines stage 1 at 130/80 Older vs newer thresholds
HTN Drug Selection Picker PL Black patient, no CKD → Thiazide or CCB CKD, any race → ACEi or ARB preferred Diabetes plus albuminuria → ACEi or ARB Pregnant and hypertensive → Labetalol or nifedipine Stage 2 hypertension → Start two-drug combo Resistant hypertension → Add spironolactone
HTN Treatment Targets PL ACC/AHA goal <130/80 for most adults JNC8, age under 60 <140/90 goal JNC8, age 60 plus <150/90 goal Diabetes plus HTN <130/80 per ADA CKD plus HTN ACEi or ARB preferred
Purulent vs Non-Purulent Cellulitis PL
Non-purulent No abscess or drainage Likely strep cause Cephalexin first-line
Purulent Abscess or drainage present Likely MRSA cause TMP-SMX or doxycycline Drainage presence changes coverage
Antibiotic Selection Picker PL Uncomplicated cystitis → Nitrofurantoin, 5 days UTI, pregnant, near term → Avoid nitrofurantoin Strep-positive pharyngitis → Penicillin or amoxicillin Penicillin allergy → Cephalexin or azithromycin Acute bacterial sinusitis → Amoxicillin-clavulanate Purulent cellulitis, MRSA risk → TMP-SMX or doxycycline
HTN First-Line Drug Classes PL Black patients, no CKD Thiazide or CCB first CKD, any race ACEi or ARB first Diabetes plus albuminuria ACEi or ARB preferred ACEi suffix Drug names ending -pril ARB suffix Drug names ending -sartan
Pap Alone vs Co-Testing Schedule PL
Ages 21 to 29 Cytology alone accepted Repeat every 3 years
Ages 30 to 65 Cytology plus HPV co-test Repeat every 5 years Age adds HPV co-testing
Diabetes Management (ADA) PL First-line drug Metformin, unless contraindicated A1C goal, most adults <7% target A1C goal, low risk <6.5% may be appropriate ASCVD or CKD Add GLP-1 RA or SGLT2i Statin start age 40 to 75 years BP goal with diabetes <130/80 per ADA 2026
Childhood Immunization Schedule PL Birth dose Hepatitis B vaccine 2, 4, 6 months DTaP, IPV, Hib, PCV 12-15 months MMR, Varicella, Hepatitis A 4-6 years DTaP, IPV, MMR boosters 11-12 years Tdap, HPV, MenACWY RSV prevention Nirsevimab for eligible infants
Adult and Pregnancy Immunizations PL Td/Tdap booster Every 10 years Shingles vaccine Age 50 plus, 2 doses Pneumococcal vaccine All adults 50+, or risk Pregnancy Tdap Give 27 to 36 weeks
Women's Health Screening and Care PL Pap alone, ages 21-29 Every 3 years Co-testing, ages 30-65 Every 5 years Stop screening Age 65 with adequate history Chlamydia screening Sexually active women under 25 First prenatal visit 6 to 8 weeks GDM screening 24 to 28 weeks gestation
First-Line Antibiotic Choices PL Uncomplicated cystitis Nitrofurantoin for 5 days Strep pharyngitis Penicillin or amoxicillin, 10 days Acute otitis media High-dose amoxicillin first Bacterial sinusitis Amoxicillin-clavulanate first line Non-purulent cellulitis Cephalexin first-line choice MRSA-risk cellulitis TMP-SMX or doxycycline
Pregnancy Drug Safety PL Avoid, cardiac drugs ACE inhibitors, ARBs, statins Avoid, antibiotics Tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones Safe UTI drug Nitrofurantoin, avoid near term Safe HTN drugs Labetalol, nifedipine, methyldopa
Follow-Up and Monitoring Intervals EV New antihypertensive Recheck in 2-4 weeks A1C monitoring Every 3 months, uncontrolled Stable diabetes A1C every 6 months Statin therapy Lipid panel in 4-12 weeks Antibiotic failure Reassess at 48 to 72 hours
Treatment Response Red Flags EV BP still uncontrolled Add a second agent Persistent proteinuria Refer to nephrology Growth faltering Refer to pediatric specialist No improvement, 72 hours Reassess or broaden antibiotic Worsening dyspnea Escalate care urgently
Common Traps
JNC8 goal ≠ ACC/AHA goal JNC8 allows 150/90 after 60 ≠ ACC/AHA targets under 130/80
Pretest questions ≠ scored questions 15 pretest items unscored ≠ 135 scored items count
Type 1 DM ≠ Type 2 DM Type 1 always needs insulin ≠ Type 2 starts oral agents
Cystitis ≠ pyelonephritis Cystitis has no fever ≠ Pyelonephritis has flank pain
IFG ≠ IGT prediabetes IFG uses fasting glucose ≠ IGT uses 2-hour OGTT
Nitrofurantoin ≠ safe near term Avoid after 36 weeks ≠ Risk of hemolytic anemia
AANPCB domains ≠ ANCC domains AANPCB uses four domains ≠ ANCC uses five domains
Last Minute 1 . 150 questions, 135 scored 2 . 3 hours, pass score 500 3 . Assess 32%, Diagnose 26.5% 4 . Plan 26.5%, Evaluate 15% 5 . ACC/AHA goal: under 130/80 6 . Metformin first-line for diabetes 7 . Colon cancer screening starts 45 8 . Nitrofurantoin treats uncomplicated UTI 9 . Pap co-testing starts age 30 10 . HPV vaccine given ages 11-12
AANP Family Nurse Practitioner Practice Questions 260 questions Study Guide 30 topics Cheat Sheet 85 facts Flashcards 50 cards Videos 1 video Blogs 1 blog Free CE Podcast
Third-party resources · We may earn a commission from purchases.
AANP Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP) : Exam Study Guide – Comprehensive Prep for Certification Success By Edge, Exam $9.99 · Buy on Amazon Online course on Mometrix Practice exams on ExamEdge
Same family resources Explore More AANPCB Nurse Practitioner Certifications Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.
AANPCB A-GNP Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner Practice Questions 130 questions Study Guide 36 topics Free CE
AANPCB PMHNP-C Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Practice Questions 100 questions Free CE
ENP-C Emergency Nurse Practitioner Practice Questions 100 questions Free CE
More From This Family Videos and articles for deeper review. Video FREE AANP FNP Study Guide + Pass Rate (2026) This exam Article FREE AANP FNP Study Guide + Pass Rate (2026) 14 min read
Independent exam preparation notice OpenExamPrep is an independent education provider, not affiliated with or endorsed by the exam sponsors named on this site. Exam and certification names identify what our resources help you study for; they do not imply sponsorship, approval, or review of our materials. Unless a resource expressly identifies authorized public material, our practice questions are independently developed simulations, not actual, recalled, or sponsor-provided exam items. We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor. Updated 2026-07-17 . Official exam sources checked January 2, 2024 . This is a study aid only and is not for use during the exam. AANPCB FNP Certification Page AANPCB Testing Domains ACC/AHA Hypertension Guideline USPSTF Breast Cancer Screening CDC Child and Adolescent Immunization Schedule ADA Standards of Care in Diabetes 2026