Preventive Care and Screening for FNP Boards: The Complete Guide

Board Prep · 9 min read · April 22, 2026

Why Preventive Care Is Board-Tested

Preventive care is a core function of primary care. The FNP boards test whether you know the current evidence-based screening recommendations — specifically the USPSTF (US Preventive Services Task Force) guidelines.

Cancer Screening

Breast cancer:

• USPSTF: Mammography every 2 years, ages 40–74 (Grade B)
• ACS: Annual mammography starting at 40
• High-risk patients (BRCA mutation, family history): Earlier and more frequent screening

Cervical cancer:

• Ages 21–29: Pap smear every 3 years
• Ages 30–65: Co-testing (Pap + HPV) every 5 years (preferred) or Pap alone every 3 years
• Discontinue at 65 with adequate prior screening

Colorectal cancer:

• Begin at age 45 (USPSTF updated 2021)
• Options: Colonoscopy every 10 years, annual FIT/gFOBT, flexible sigmoidoscopy every 5 years, CT colonography every 5 years

Lung cancer:

• Annual low-dose CT scan for adults 50–80 years with ≥20 pack-year history who currently smoke or quit within past 15 years

Prostate cancer:

• PSA screening: Individualized decision-making for men 55–69 (Grade C)
• Not recommended for men ≥70

Cardiovascular Screening

Hypertension: Screen all adults ≥18 years; every year if high-normal or risk factors, every 3–5 years if normal

Lipids: Screen men ≥35 (or ≥20 with risk factors), women ≥45 (or ≥20 with risk factors)

Diabetes: Screen adults 35–70 who are overweight or obese; every 3 years if normal

Abdominal aortic aneurysm: One-time ultrasound for men 65–75 who have ever smoked

Mental Health Screening

Depression: Screen all adults (PHQ-2 or PHQ-9)

Anxiety: Screen all adults ≥18 years (GAD-7)

Alcohol use: Screen all adults (AUDIT-C or CAGE)

Tobacco: Screen all adults; provide cessation counseling and pharmacotherapy

Adult Immunizations

Annual: Influenza vaccine for all adults ≥6 months

One-time or series:

• Tdap: Once as adult, then Td booster every 10 years; Tdap in every pregnancy (27–36 weeks)
• Pneumococcal: PCV15 or PCV20 for all adults ≥65; earlier for high-risk conditions
• Shingrix (zoster): Two-dose series for adults ≥50
• HPV: Through age 26 routinely; shared decision-making ages 27–45
• Hepatitis B: All adults not previously vaccinated

Board pearl: Live vaccines (MMR, varicella, LAIV) are contraindicated in immunocompromised patients and pregnancy. Inactivated vaccines are generally safe.