CPNP-AC Exam Resources

Check your readiness and prepare

CPNP-AC Exam Resources

The Certified Pediatric Nurse Practitioner - Acute Care (CPNP-AC) exam is 3 hours and asks 175 multiple-choice questions based on categories in the content outline, an essential study reference. Create a personal study plan and prepare using the resources below.

The PNCB Board of Directors does not endorse the content of or approve specific training programs, study guides, review courses, or other examination preparation products. Purchase of preparatory materials for PNCB certification examinations are not required and do not guarantee a passing score on the examinations.

Important Note: Special testing windows remain in effect for the CPNP-AC exam now through December 2023. See the window testing schedule here before you apply. Year-round testing opportunities are planned to resume beginning December 2023. Please contact PNCB at exam@pncb.org with any questions. 

The content outline/test blueprint is your #1 tool to start your study. It describes all subject areas covered by the exam and questions per category.

PNCB certification exams are comprehensive tests, so be sure to study all areas of the content outline.

Tip! This exam tests your ability to apply knowledge and use critical thinking skills to determine one best answer among answer choices.

The current content outline is based on our 2018-19 Job Task Analysis (JTA) research. This routine, required research ensures that exam content accurately represents current pediatric acute care nurse practitioner practice in the U.S. 

Content for the updated exam has not changed considerably, and you do not need to study differently. After the JTA, a passing point determination follows construction of new exam forms and establishes minimum passing scores using standard psychometric methods, such as Item Response Theory and Modified-Angoff scoring. 

See full details about the latest 2018-19 study in our executive summary and 2018-19 CPNP-AC Exam PowerPoint.

We recommend you use ONE pediatric textbook that you are familiar with to review for the exam. This text should also focus on the subject areas covered by the exam content outline.

Our acute care exam item writers and committee members have found the most current edition of the following references useful for their review. Additions or deletions to this list are a result of exam committee member input and anonymous faculty surveys.

You do not need to study all the references listed below. PNCB does not endorse nor have any proprietary relationship with any of the following textbooks or their publishing companies.

Textbooks and Related Resources

  • American Academy of Pediatrics - 2021-2024 Red Book
  • Fleisher & Ludwig - Textbook of Pediatric Emergency Medicine
  • Johns Hopkins Hospital: Harriet Lane Handbook
  • Kliegman, Stanton, St. Geme, Schor & Behrman - Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics
  • Marcdante & Kliegman - Nelson Essentials of Pediatrics
  • Park - Park's Pediatric Cardiology for Practitioners
  • Reuter-Rice & Bolick - Pediatric Acute Care: A Guide for Interprofessional Practice
  • Shaffner & Nichols - Rogers' Textbook of Pediatric Intensive Care
  • Taketomo, Hodding & Kraus - Pediatric & Neonatal Dosage Handbook

Evidence-based Practice / Professional Role

  • LoBiondo-Wood & Haber - Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice
  • Melnyk & Overholt - Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing and Healthcare: A guide to best practice
  • NONPF (2013) - Population-Focused Nurse Practitioner Competencies

Respected Clinical Practice Guidelines/Statements/Reports

CPNP-AC Practice Tests offer in-depth rationale for right answers to enhance critical thinking. Score reports can help you focus studies.

The cost is $50 per module. You receive unlimited attempts of 75 questions for 150 days.

Looking for more exposure to CPNP-AC exam topics?  PNCB also offers an Acute Care Exam Drill containing 50 multiple-choice questions (answers only, no rationales). The cost is $25.

You are taking a big step in your career and preparing for a Pediatric Nursing Certification Board (PNCB) certification exam.  We hope you find the information about Preparing to Take your Board Exam helpful.

What review course should I take? Which books are the best? Do you offer a review course?

The PNCB can't conduct a review course because this would be a conflict of interest. We also can't endorse a specific review course or book, but we do recommend you consider the following when selecting a course or title:

  1. How are the instructors or authors prepared? Do they have rigorous academic credentials? Do they hold the credential you seek? What about their practice experience?
  2. Are the topics covered consistent with the exam's content outline?
  3. Do the books offer practice questions after each chapter?
  4. Does the course offer testimonials? If so, evaluate the comments offered by your peers.
  5. Does the review course ask for feedback? Do they post survey results on their website?
  6. Talk to others who have taken a specific review course. Were they satisfied?

You may also want to check your membership organization website for books that are recommended. We hope this gives you an idea of things to look for as you make your decisions.

Sample Questions for the CPNP-AC Exam

Please note that these are only sample question types you may encounter and do not reflect the scope or degree of difficulty of the exam. The answer key is located at the bottom of the page. For more questions with correct answer rationale, consider PNCB's practice tests for your exam.

Select the one answer that is best in each case.

Sample Questions

1. A toddler presents with bruising over multiple body surfaces including arms, legs, and trunk. Faint petechiae are also noted. Results of the CBC are provided below.

AC Sample Question




The MOST appropriate next step in management is to:

A. transfuse packed red blood cells (pRBCs).

B. administer high-dose corticosteroids.

C. order PT and PTT.

D. consult oncology.
 

2. A 10 month old who is otherwise healthy has had emesis with intermittent periods of intense crying, and is passing red stool. Which of the following actions should be done FIRST?

A. order a complete blood count

B. obtain an abdominal ultrasound

C. obtain an abdominal radiograph

D. schedule surgical evaluation for the next day 

3. Which of the following medications has the GREATEST risk for medication-induced pancreatitis?

A. enalapril 

B. quetiapine

C. valproic acid

D. vancomycin 

4. An adolescent presents with agitation, tachycardia, hypertension, hyperthermia, mydriasis, and dry, flushed skin. Ingestion of which of the following medication classes is MOST likely?

A. anticholinergic

B. cholinergic

C. opiate

D. sympathomimetic

5. An acute care pediatric nurse practitioner’s new oncology service role will include lumbar punctures. The legal authority to perform this task is BEST determined by:

A. obtaining credentials through board certification 

B. state board’s scope of practice for nurse practitioners

C. collaborating physician's determination of practitioner’s skills

D. preparation obtained from the acute care educational program

Answers and References:


1. Answer: D
References: 

  • Bolick, B. N., Reuter-Rice, K., Madden, M., & Severin, P. A. (Eds.). (2021). Pediatric acute care: A guide for interprofessional practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
  • Kliegman, R. M., ST Geme III, J. W., Blum, N. J., Shah, S. S., Tasker, R. C., Wilson, K. M., & Behrman, R. E. (2020).  Nelson textbook of pediatrics (21st ed.). Elsevier.

2. Answer: B
References: 

  • Bolick, B. N., Reuter-Rice, K., Madden, M., & Severin, P. A. (Eds.). (2021). Pediatric acute care: A guide for interprofessional practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
  • Kliegman, R. M., ST Geme III, J. W., Blum, N. J., Shah, S. S., Tasker, R. C., Wilson, K. M., & Behrman, R. E. (2020).  Nelson textbook of pediatrics (21st ed.). Elsevier.

3. Answer: C
References: 

  • Bolick, B. N., Reuter-Rice, K., Madden, M., & Severin, P. A. (Eds.). (2021). Pediatric acute care: A guide for interprofessional practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier.
  • Kliegman, R. M., ST Geme III, J. W., Blum, N. J., Shah, S. S., Tasker, R. C., Wilson, K. M., & Behrman, R. E. (2020).  Nelson textbook of pediatrics (21st ed.). Elsevier.

4. Answer: A
References: 

  • Bolick, B. N., Reuter-Rice, K., Madden, M., & Severin, P. A. (Eds.). (2021). Pediatric acute care: A guide for interprofessional practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier. 
  • Kliegman, R. M., ST Geme III, J. W., Blum, N. J., Shah, S. S., Tasker, R. C., Wilson, K. M., & Behrman, R. E. (2020).  Nelson textbook of pediatrics (21st ed.). Elsevier.

5. Answer: B
References: 

  • Bolick, B. N., Reuter-Rice, K., Madden, M., & Severin, P. A. (Eds.). (2021). Pediatric acute care: A guide for interprofessional practice (2nd ed.). Elsevier.

Faces of Certification

PNCB-certified nursing professionals work in a variety of roles and settings throughout the US and beyond. Share your photo today!

Tyneisha Orr, CPNP-PC Children's Hospital & Medical Center Omaha, NE
Amairani Jimenez, CPN Tripler Army Medical Center Honolulu, Hawaii
Gia Nguyen, CPNP-AC St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Arlington, VA
View more Faces of Certification