BARKLEY ADULT-GERONTOLOGY PRIMARY CARE NURSE PRACTITIONER (AGPCNP) EXAM QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Core Domains
Comprehensive Health Assessment and Diagnosis
Management of Acute and Chronic Illnesses
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Pharmacology and Therapeutic Interventions
Geriatric Syndromes and Age-Related Changes
Professional Role, Ethics, and Legal Standards
Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Reasoning
Introduction
This examination is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and clinical competence of
candidates for the Barkley Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) certification. The exam
focuses on the essential skills required for providing high-quality primary care to adolescents, adults, and older
adults across the healthcare continuum. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to integrate foundational
theory, interpret clinical findings, and apply evidence-based guidelines to diagnose and manage common acute
and chronic conditions. The multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize real-world clinical decision-
making, ethical considerations, and the promotion of health and wellness in a diverse patient population.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents for a routine follow-up. His
blood pressure today is 148/90 mmHg. He reports adherence to his current antihypertensive regimen of
lisinopril 20 mg daily. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing his
hypertension?
A. Increase lisinopril to 40 mg daily.
B. Add a thiazide diuretic.
C. Add a calcium channel blocker.
D. Refer to a cardiologist.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: For patients with hypertension who are not at goal blood pressure on an ACE inhibitor, the
addition of a thiazide diuretic is a guideline-recommended step. Adding a calcium channel blocker is also an
option, but thiazide diuretics are particularly effective in older adults. Doubling the dose of lisinopril may not be
as effective as adding a second agent and can increase side effects.
2. A 72-year-old female presents with a complaint of a painful, swollen, and stiff left knee. She reports that
the pain is worse in the morning and improves with activity. On examination, you note crepitus and bony
,enlargement of the joint. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Osteoarthritis
C. Gout
D. Septic arthritis
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, crepitus, and
bony enlargement. Symptoms are typically worse with activity and improve with rest, but morning stiffness is
brief. Rheumatoid arthritis presents with symmetric joint pain and swelling. Gout presents with acute
monoarthritis. Septic arthritis presents with fever and severe pain.
3. A 65-year-old male with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with a persistent cough, hemoptysis,
and weight loss. A chest X-ray reveals a mass in the left upper lobe. Which of the following is the most
appropriate initial diagnostic test?
A. Sputum cytology
B. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
C. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest
D. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
🟢D
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The patient has a high suspicion for lung cancer. Bronchoscopy with biopsy is the gold
standard for obtaining a tissue diagnosis. A CT scan is important for staging, and a PET scan is used for staging
and assessing for metastases, but neither provides a definitive diagnosis. Sputum cytology has a low sensitivity.
4. A 78-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to his back. His
blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg in the right arm and 130/80 mmHg in the left arm. Which of the following is
the most appropriate initial management?
A. Administer aspirin and nitroglycerin.
B. Administer intravenous (IV) beta-blockers and consult cardiothoracic surgery.
C. Administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
D. Administer heparin and warfarin.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The patient has an aortic dissection. Immediate management involves reducing the force of left
ventricular contraction and blood pressure with IV beta-blockers (e.g., esmolol) to prevent propagation of the
dissection. Emergent surgical consultation is required. Aspirin and nitroglycerin are used for acute coronary
syndrome. tPA is contraindicated. Heparin and warfarin are used for thromboembolic disorders.
5. A 70-year-old female presents with a complaint of a progressive hearing loss in both ears. She reports that
she has difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. Which of the following is the most likely
ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+| 100% VERIFIED SOLUTIONS
Core Domains
Comprehensive Health Assessment and Diagnosis
Management of Acute and Chronic Illnesses
Health Promotion and Disease Prevention
Pharmacology and Therapeutic Interventions
Geriatric Syndromes and Age-Related Changes
Professional Role, Ethics, and Legal Standards
Evidence-Based Practice and Clinical Reasoning
Introduction
This examination is a comprehensive assessment designed to evaluate the knowledge and clinical competence of
candidates for the Barkley Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (AGPCNP) certification. The exam
focuses on the essential skills required for providing high-quality primary care to adolescents, adults, and older
adults across the healthcare continuum. Candidates will be assessed on their ability to integrate foundational
theory, interpret clinical findings, and apply evidence-based guidelines to diagnose and manage common acute
and chronic conditions. The multiple-choice and scenario-based questions emphasize real-world clinical decision-
making, ethical considerations, and the promotion of health and wellness in a diverse patient population.
,SECTION ONE: QUESTIONS 1–100
1. A 68-year-old male with a history of hypertension and type 2 diabetes presents for a routine follow-up. His
blood pressure today is 148/90 mmHg. He reports adherence to his current antihypertensive regimen of
lisinopril 20 mg daily. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in managing his
hypertension?
A. Increase lisinopril to 40 mg daily.
B. Add a thiazide diuretic.
C. Add a calcium channel blocker.
D. Refer to a cardiologist.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: For patients with hypertension who are not at goal blood pressure on an ACE inhibitor, the
addition of a thiazide diuretic is a guideline-recommended step. Adding a calcium channel blocker is also an
option, but thiazide diuretics are particularly effective in older adults. Doubling the dose of lisinopril may not be
as effective as adding a second agent and can increase side effects.
2. A 72-year-old female presents with a complaint of a painful, swollen, and stiff left knee. She reports that
the pain is worse in the morning and improves with activity. On examination, you note crepitus and bony
,enlargement of the joint. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Rheumatoid arthritis
B. Osteoarthritis
C. Gout
D. Septic arthritis
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative joint disease characterized by joint pain, stiffness, crepitus, and
bony enlargement. Symptoms are typically worse with activity and improve with rest, but morning stiffness is
brief. Rheumatoid arthritis presents with symmetric joint pain and swelling. Gout presents with acute
monoarthritis. Septic arthritis presents with fever and severe pain.
3. A 65-year-old male with a 40-pack-year smoking history presents with a persistent cough, hemoptysis,
and weight loss. A chest X-ray reveals a mass in the left upper lobe. Which of the following is the most
appropriate initial diagnostic test?
A. Sputum cytology
B. Positron emission tomography (PET) scan
C. Computed tomography (CT) scan of the chest
D. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
🟢D
, 🔴 RATIONALE: The patient has a high suspicion for lung cancer. Bronchoscopy with biopsy is the gold
standard for obtaining a tissue diagnosis. A CT scan is important for staging, and a PET scan is used for staging
and assessing for metastases, but neither provides a definitive diagnosis. Sputum cytology has a low sensitivity.
4. A 78-year-old male presents with a sudden onset of severe, tearing chest pain that radiates to his back. His
blood pressure is 190/110 mmHg in the right arm and 130/80 mmHg in the left arm. Which of the following is
the most appropriate initial management?
A. Administer aspirin and nitroglycerin.
B. Administer intravenous (IV) beta-blockers and consult cardiothoracic surgery.
C. Administer tissue plasminogen activator (tPA).
D. Administer heparin and warfarin.
🟢B
🔴 RATIONALE: The patient has an aortic dissection. Immediate management involves reducing the force of left
ventricular contraction and blood pressure with IV beta-blockers (e.g., esmolol) to prevent propagation of the
dissection. Emergent surgical consultation is required. Aspirin and nitroglycerin are used for acute coronary
syndrome. tPA is contraindicated. Heparin and warfarin are used for thromboembolic disorders.
5. A 70-year-old female presents with a complaint of a progressive hearing loss in both ears. She reports that
she has difficulty understanding speech in noisy environments. Which of the following is the most likely
