NCC AGACNP Exam Prep: A Comprehensive Q&A Study
A
Guide for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
Content Description
his document serves as a comprehensive question-and-answer study
T
guide for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
(AGACNP) certification exam. It is meticulously structured to facilitate
efficient review and memorization of critical knowledge points.
he content covers a wide range of topics essential for acute care practice,
T
including:
● P reventative Health & Screening:Guidelines for vaccinations
(PNA, Herpes Zoster), physical exams, and screenings for cancer
(mammography, prostate, colorectal, lung), lipids, and glaucoma.
● Pharmacology & Therapeutics:Key drug classes, side effects (e.g.,
Bactrim, statins), toxicity management (e.g., acetaminophen,
narcotics), and antibiotic treatments for common infections (UTIs,
pyelonephritis, cellulitis).
● Electrolyte & Fluid Balance:Normal lab values for sodium,
potassium, and calcium, as well as the causes, EKG findings, and
treatments for electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia, hypokalemia,
and hyponatremia.
● Cardiology:In-depth coverage of cardiac murmurs, EKG
interpretation (heart blocks, QT prolongation), common
cardiovascular diseases (MI, cardiac tamponade, pericarditis), and
, edication classes for hypertension.
m
● Endocrinology:Essential concepts of diabetes (Somogyi effect,
Dawn phenomenon, DKA vs. HHNK), thyroid disorders, and adrenal
gland issues (Cushing's, Addison's, pheochromocytoma).
● Trauma & Emergency Care:Recognition of critical signs (Battle's
sign, Cullen's sign), burn management (Rule of 9's, fluid
resuscitation), and toxicology antidotes.
● Legal & Ethical Practice:An overview of key healthcare acts
(HIPAA, Medicare), NP roles, licensure vs. certification, decisional
capacity, and conflict resolution models.
● Research & Evidence-Based Practice:Definitions of key statistical
concepts (sensitivity, specificity) and an introduction to research
methodologies and evidence hierarchies.
● Dermatology & Oncology:Identification of skin cancers (melanoma,
basal cell, squamous cell), common skin conditions, and cancer
screening guidelines.
● Gastrointestinal & Renal:Conditions such as esophagitis, liver
disease, and pyelonephritis, including diagnostic lab findings.
● Musculoskeletal:Key clinical tests (Ober's test) and conditions like
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis.
● Herbal Supplements:A practical guide to common herbal remedies,
their uses, and associated risks, especially related to bleeding and
drug interactions.
ANCC AGACNP Exam Prep: A Comprehensive Q&A Study Guide
1.Preventative Health & Screening
1. Q: What are the criteria for the Pneumococcal (PNA) vaccine? A:
● Age 19-64:Recommended for individuals who smoke, or have
chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, DM, alcoholism, or are
immunocompromised or in a care facility.
● Age 65+:Recommended to receiveboth PPSV23 and PCV13.
, 2. Q: What is the recommended frequency for a physical exam?A:
● Once between ages11-21.
● Every5-6 yearsfrom ages20-59.
● Every2 yearsfrom age60+.
3. Q: When should a lipid panel be checked?A:Start atage 20, and
check every5 yearsunless the total cholesterol is > 200 mg/dL, in which
case more frequent monitoring is needed.
4. Q: When should mammography and prostate cancer screening
begin?A:
● Mammography:Start atage 40-50.
● Prostate Screening:Start atage 40with a family history of prostate
cancer or if African American, and atage 50for others.
5. Q: At what age should a baseline ECG be obtained?A:Atage 40.
6. Q: When should colorectal cancer screening begin?A:Start atage
50, with an annual FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test) and a colonoscopy
every 10 years.
7. Q: When should glaucoma testing start and at what frequency?A:
Atage 40and yearly thereafter.
8. Q: At what age is the Herpes zoster vaccination recommended?A:
Betweenage 50-60.
9. Q: What are the criteria for stopping Pap smears?A:Cessation can
A
Guide for Acute Care Nurse Practitioners
Content Description
his document serves as a comprehensive question-and-answer study
T
guide for the ANCC Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner
(AGACNP) certification exam. It is meticulously structured to facilitate
efficient review and memorization of critical knowledge points.
he content covers a wide range of topics essential for acute care practice,
T
including:
● P reventative Health & Screening:Guidelines for vaccinations
(PNA, Herpes Zoster), physical exams, and screenings for cancer
(mammography, prostate, colorectal, lung), lipids, and glaucoma.
● Pharmacology & Therapeutics:Key drug classes, side effects (e.g.,
Bactrim, statins), toxicity management (e.g., acetaminophen,
narcotics), and antibiotic treatments for common infections (UTIs,
pyelonephritis, cellulitis).
● Electrolyte & Fluid Balance:Normal lab values for sodium,
potassium, and calcium, as well as the causes, EKG findings, and
treatments for electrolyte imbalances like hyperkalemia, hypokalemia,
and hyponatremia.
● Cardiology:In-depth coverage of cardiac murmurs, EKG
interpretation (heart blocks, QT prolongation), common
cardiovascular diseases (MI, cardiac tamponade, pericarditis), and
, edication classes for hypertension.
m
● Endocrinology:Essential concepts of diabetes (Somogyi effect,
Dawn phenomenon, DKA vs. HHNK), thyroid disorders, and adrenal
gland issues (Cushing's, Addison's, pheochromocytoma).
● Trauma & Emergency Care:Recognition of critical signs (Battle's
sign, Cullen's sign), burn management (Rule of 9's, fluid
resuscitation), and toxicology antidotes.
● Legal & Ethical Practice:An overview of key healthcare acts
(HIPAA, Medicare), NP roles, licensure vs. certification, decisional
capacity, and conflict resolution models.
● Research & Evidence-Based Practice:Definitions of key statistical
concepts (sensitivity, specificity) and an introduction to research
methodologies and evidence hierarchies.
● Dermatology & Oncology:Identification of skin cancers (melanoma,
basal cell, squamous cell), common skin conditions, and cancer
screening guidelines.
● Gastrointestinal & Renal:Conditions such as esophagitis, liver
disease, and pyelonephritis, including diagnostic lab findings.
● Musculoskeletal:Key clinical tests (Ober's test) and conditions like
osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and bursitis.
● Herbal Supplements:A practical guide to common herbal remedies,
their uses, and associated risks, especially related to bleeding and
drug interactions.
ANCC AGACNP Exam Prep: A Comprehensive Q&A Study Guide
1.Preventative Health & Screening
1. Q: What are the criteria for the Pneumococcal (PNA) vaccine? A:
● Age 19-64:Recommended for individuals who smoke, or have
chronic conditions like asthma, COPD, DM, alcoholism, or are
immunocompromised or in a care facility.
● Age 65+:Recommended to receiveboth PPSV23 and PCV13.
, 2. Q: What is the recommended frequency for a physical exam?A:
● Once between ages11-21.
● Every5-6 yearsfrom ages20-59.
● Every2 yearsfrom age60+.
3. Q: When should a lipid panel be checked?A:Start atage 20, and
check every5 yearsunless the total cholesterol is > 200 mg/dL, in which
case more frequent monitoring is needed.
4. Q: When should mammography and prostate cancer screening
begin?A:
● Mammography:Start atage 40-50.
● Prostate Screening:Start atage 40with a family history of prostate
cancer or if African American, and atage 50for others.
5. Q: At what age should a baseline ECG be obtained?A:Atage 40.
6. Q: When should colorectal cancer screening begin?A:Start atage
50, with an annual FOBT (Fecal Occult Blood Test) and a colonoscopy
every 10 years.
7. Q: When should glaucoma testing start and at what frequency?A:
Atage 40and yearly thereafter.
8. Q: At what age is the Herpes zoster vaccination recommended?A:
Betweenage 50-60.
9. Q: What are the criteria for stopping Pap smears?A:Cessation can
