Free Nurse Executive Board Certification Exam Practice Questions

Sample Practice Questions

Try these 10 sample questions from the Nurse Executive Board Certification Exam practice bank. Each includes the answer and explanation. Continue with the interactive practice above to review the full question set.

1. 1For an eligible employee of a covered employer, which leave protection does the FMLA provide for a qualifying family or medical reason?

   1. A. Paid leave with no job protection
   2. B. Unpaid, job-protected leave
   3. C. Unpaid leave only if the job is eliminated
   4. D. Paid leave only for a work-related condition

   Answer: B

   Explanation: DOL states that the FMLA provides "unpaid, job-protected leave for qualifying family and medical reasons" to eligible employees of covered employers. The protection concerns leave and job status, not a general wage-replacement benefit.

   Reference: DOL Family and Medical Leave Act — Family and Medical Leave Act, introduction

2. 2In Prosci's ADKAR model, which element concerns understanding why a proposed change is needed?

   1. A. Awareness
   2. B. Desire
   3. C. Knowledge
   4. D. Ability

   Answer: A

   Explanation: Prosci defines Awareness as "Understand why the change is needed." It precedes the separate question of whether a person chooses to participate.

   Reference: Prosci ADKAR Model — HOW IT WORKS, Awareness

3. 3How does the CMS Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program link Medicare inpatient payment to care?

   1. A. By adjusting payment based on care quality
   2. B. By paying solely for the number of procedures
   3. C. By using only hospital bed count
   4. D. By using only the number of admitted patients

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS says the program "adjusts payments to hospitals under the Inpatient Prospective Payment System (IPPS) based on the quality of care they deliver." Quality, rather than volume alone, affects payment.

   Reference: CMS Hospital Value-Based Purchasing — What is the Hospital Value-Based Purchasing Program?

4. 4A nurse executive is reviewing whether unit policies respect each patient's inherent dignity and individual attributes. Which ethical focus is most directly involved?

   1. A. Compassion and respect for each person's dignity
   2. B. Advancement of nursing through research and policy
   3. C. Collaboration across healthcare disciplines
   4. D. Development of an ethical work environment

   Answer: A

   Explanation: The 2025 ANA Code says nurses practice with compassion and respect for the inherent "dignity, worth, and unique attributes of every person." This directly governs how each patient is treated.

   Reference: ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, 2025 Edition — Contents — Contents, Provision 1, p. 1

5. 5An eligible employee takes FMLA leave for a qualifying reason. What is the ordinary maximum leave entitlement in a 12-month period, apart from military caregiver leave?

   1. A. 6 workweeks
   2. B. 10 workweeks
   3. C. 12 workweeks
   4. D. 26 workweeks

   Answer: C

   Explanation: DOL specifies "up to 12 workweeks of leave in a 12-month period" for ordinary qualifying reasons. The 26-week entitlement is a separate military caregiver provision.

   Reference: DOL Family and Medical Leave Act — What Does the FMLA Provide?

6. 6In ADKAR, a staff member understands why a new process is needed but has not chosen to support it. Which element is missing?

   1. A. Awareness
   2. B. Desire
   3. C. Knowledge
   4. D. Reinforcement

   Answer: B

   Explanation: Prosci describes Desire as "Choose to participate in and support the change." Understanding the reason is Awareness, while willingness to support is Desire.

   Reference: Prosci ADKAR Model — HOW IT WORKS, Desire

7. 7Which CMS Hospital VBP measure area specifically addresses infections acquired during care?

   1. A. Healthcare-associated infections
   2. B. Patient experience
   3. C. Efficiency and cost reduction
   4. D. Mortality and complications

   Answer: A

   Explanation: CMS lists "Healthcare-associated infections" among Hospital VBP measure areas. The other choices are separate areas that do not specifically name infections acquired during care.

   Reference: CMS Hospital Value-Based Purchasing — What measures are used in the Hospital VBP Program?

8. 8When an executive weighs competing organizational interests against the nurse's primary ethical commitment, whose interests does the Code place first?

   1. A. The employing organization
   2. B. Recipients of nursing care
   3. C. Professional associations
   4. D. Payer organizations

   Answer: B

   Explanation: The 2025 ANA Code states, "A nurse’s primary commitment is to the recipient(s) of nursing care," including individuals, families, groups, communities, and populations. Organizational interests do not replace that primary commitment.

   Reference: ANA Code of Ethics for Nurses, 2025 Edition — Contents — Contents, Provision 2, p. 5

9. 9While an eligible employee is on qualifying FMLA leave, what happens to the employee's group health benefits under the federal FMLA?

   1. A. They continue under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave
   2. B. They end until the employee returns to work
   3. C. They continue only if the employee works part time during leave
   4. D. They are converted automatically to individual coverage

   Answer: A

   Explanation: DOL says the FMLA "requires continuation of their group health benefits under the same terms and conditions as if the employee had not taken leave." This is a continuation requirement tied to protected leave.

   Reference: DOL Family and Medical Leave Act — Family and Medical Leave Act, introduction

10. 10A nurse supports a planned change but does not know the steps or requirements for success. Which ADKAR element is the gap?

    1. A. Desire
    2. B. Knowledge
    3. C. Ability
    4. D. Reinforcement

    Answer: B

    Explanation: Prosci defines Knowledge as "Know how to change and what success requires." Support alone does not provide the needed know-how.

    Reference: Prosci ADKAR Model — HOW IT WORKS, Knowledge