Adult-Gerontology Acute Care Nurse Practitioner (AGACNP) Practice
Exam 100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Practice Questions
1. A caller reports sudden crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. What
should the nurse advise?
A. Schedule a routine visit in two weeks
B. Drive alone to a pharmacy
C. Activate emergency medical services immediately according to protocol
D. Wait to see whether symptoms resolve overnight
Correct answer: C. Activate emergency medical services immediately according to
protocol
Rationale: Symptoms can indicate a life-threatening emergency; timely emergency
response is essential.
2. A caller reports new facial droop and unilateral weakness. What is the
priority?
A. Schedule a routine office appointment next month
B. Advise sleep and reassessment tomorrow
C. Direct the caller to activate emergency medical services immediately
D. Wait for an online message response
Correct answer: C. Direct the caller to activate emergency medical services
immediately
Rationale: Sudden neurologic deficits may indicate stroke and require immediate
emergency evaluation.
3. What should be documented during telephone triage?
A. Only the caller's first name
B. Advice without the reason or time
C. The nurse's personal opinions about the caller
D. Symptoms, relevant assessment, advice, disposition, and follow-up
Correct answer: D. Symptoms, relevant assessment, advice, disposition, and follow-
up
Rationale: A complete record supports continuity, accountability, and recognition
of changes if the patient calls again.
,4. When should an ambulatory nurse provide return precautions?
A. Only after a hospitalization
B. Only if the patient asks
C. At the end of an assessment or encounter, tailored to the patient's situation
D. Never when symptoms are improving
Correct answer: C. At the end of an assessment or encounter, tailored to the
patient's situation
Rationale: Specific warning signs and instructions about when and how to obtain
help support safe follow-up.
5. A patient reports difficulty understanding a new diagnosis. What is the best
approach?
A. Repeat technical terms more loudly
B. Ask a child to interpret sensitive details
C. Assume a signed form means understanding
D. Use plain language and teach-back with an interpreter when needed
Correct answer: D. Use plain language and teach-back with an interpreter when
needed
Rationale: Plain language, qualified interpretation, and teach-back reveal and
address communication gaps.
6. Why should a clinic track abnormal test results until follow-up is complete?
A. To replace clinical judgment
B. To reduce missed diagnoses and delayed care
C. To avoid informing patients of results
D. To send all results to the wrong department
Correct answer: B. To reduce missed diagnoses and delayed care
Rationale: Closed-loop tracking ensures results are reviewed, communicated, acted
on, and followed through.
,7. A patient has not completed an important referral. What should the nurse
do?
A. Assume the patient is uninterested
B. Send the patient's records to any clinic without authorization
C. Delete the referral without review
D. Explore barriers, coordinate with the patient, and track the referral
Correct answer: D. Explore barriers, coordinate with the patient, and track the
referral
Rationale: Follow-up and barrier assessment can help close the referral loop and
prevent delayed care.
8. How should medication reconciliation be performed at an ambulatory visit?
A. Review only medicines prescribed by one clinician
B. Exclude nonprescription products and supplements
C. Assume the electronic record is always correct
D. Compare what the patient actually takes with the current medication list and
resolve discrepancies
Correct answer: D. Compare what the patient actually takes with the current
medication list and resolve discrepancies
Rationale: A complete comparison includes prescribed drugs, nonprescription
products, supplements, and actual use.
9. A patient cannot afford an inhaler. What is the best nursing response?
A. Discuss the barrier and connect the patient with the care team and assistance
options
B. Assume the medication is unnecessary
C. Tell the patient to stop all care
D. Advise sharing another person's prescription
Correct answer: A. Discuss the barrier and connect the patient with the care team
and assistance options
Rationale: Cost barriers can affect adherence; coordinated assistance and an
appropriate alternative may improve access.
, 10. Which approach is best when a patient has limited health literacy?
A. Avoid diagrams or demonstrations
B. Use plain language, small amounts of information, and teach-back
C. Assume literacy from educational level
D. Provide complex instructions as quickly as possible
Correct answer: B. Use plain language, small amounts of information, and teach-
back
Rationale: Clear communication and teach-back improve the chance that the
patient can use the information safely.
11. A patient with diabetes reports sweating, shakiness, and confusion. What
is the initial nursing priority?
A. Give insulin without checking
B. Schedule a nutrition visit for next year
C. Assess glucose and immediate safety and follow the hypoglycemia protocol
D. Assume symptoms are due to anxiety
Correct answer: C. Assess glucose and immediate safety and follow the
hypoglycemia protocol
Rationale: The symptoms can indicate hypoglycemia; immediate assessment and
treatment per protocol are needed.
12. Why is home blood pressure technique important?
A. Technique does not affect results
B. Only clinic readings matter
C. All home devices measure accurately without validation
D. Incorrect cuff size or positioning can produce misleading readings
Correct answer: D. Incorrect cuff size or positioning can produce misleading
readings
Rationale: Correct cuff size, positioning, rest, and validated equipment improve
interpretation of home measurements.
Exam 100 Multiple-Choice Questions with Answers and Rationales
Practice Questions
1. A caller reports sudden crushing chest pain and shortness of breath. What
should the nurse advise?
A. Schedule a routine visit in two weeks
B. Drive alone to a pharmacy
C. Activate emergency medical services immediately according to protocol
D. Wait to see whether symptoms resolve overnight
Correct answer: C. Activate emergency medical services immediately according to
protocol
Rationale: Symptoms can indicate a life-threatening emergency; timely emergency
response is essential.
2. A caller reports new facial droop and unilateral weakness. What is the
priority?
A. Schedule a routine office appointment next month
B. Advise sleep and reassessment tomorrow
C. Direct the caller to activate emergency medical services immediately
D. Wait for an online message response
Correct answer: C. Direct the caller to activate emergency medical services
immediately
Rationale: Sudden neurologic deficits may indicate stroke and require immediate
emergency evaluation.
3. What should be documented during telephone triage?
A. Only the caller's first name
B. Advice without the reason or time
C. The nurse's personal opinions about the caller
D. Symptoms, relevant assessment, advice, disposition, and follow-up
Correct answer: D. Symptoms, relevant assessment, advice, disposition, and follow-
up
Rationale: A complete record supports continuity, accountability, and recognition
of changes if the patient calls again.
,4. When should an ambulatory nurse provide return precautions?
A. Only after a hospitalization
B. Only if the patient asks
C. At the end of an assessment or encounter, tailored to the patient's situation
D. Never when symptoms are improving
Correct answer: C. At the end of an assessment or encounter, tailored to the
patient's situation
Rationale: Specific warning signs and instructions about when and how to obtain
help support safe follow-up.
5. A patient reports difficulty understanding a new diagnosis. What is the best
approach?
A. Repeat technical terms more loudly
B. Ask a child to interpret sensitive details
C. Assume a signed form means understanding
D. Use plain language and teach-back with an interpreter when needed
Correct answer: D. Use plain language and teach-back with an interpreter when
needed
Rationale: Plain language, qualified interpretation, and teach-back reveal and
address communication gaps.
6. Why should a clinic track abnormal test results until follow-up is complete?
A. To replace clinical judgment
B. To reduce missed diagnoses and delayed care
C. To avoid informing patients of results
D. To send all results to the wrong department
Correct answer: B. To reduce missed diagnoses and delayed care
Rationale: Closed-loop tracking ensures results are reviewed, communicated, acted
on, and followed through.
,7. A patient has not completed an important referral. What should the nurse
do?
A. Assume the patient is uninterested
B. Send the patient's records to any clinic without authorization
C. Delete the referral without review
D. Explore barriers, coordinate with the patient, and track the referral
Correct answer: D. Explore barriers, coordinate with the patient, and track the
referral
Rationale: Follow-up and barrier assessment can help close the referral loop and
prevent delayed care.
8. How should medication reconciliation be performed at an ambulatory visit?
A. Review only medicines prescribed by one clinician
B. Exclude nonprescription products and supplements
C. Assume the electronic record is always correct
D. Compare what the patient actually takes with the current medication list and
resolve discrepancies
Correct answer: D. Compare what the patient actually takes with the current
medication list and resolve discrepancies
Rationale: A complete comparison includes prescribed drugs, nonprescription
products, supplements, and actual use.
9. A patient cannot afford an inhaler. What is the best nursing response?
A. Discuss the barrier and connect the patient with the care team and assistance
options
B. Assume the medication is unnecessary
C. Tell the patient to stop all care
D. Advise sharing another person's prescription
Correct answer: A. Discuss the barrier and connect the patient with the care team
and assistance options
Rationale: Cost barriers can affect adherence; coordinated assistance and an
appropriate alternative may improve access.
, 10. Which approach is best when a patient has limited health literacy?
A. Avoid diagrams or demonstrations
B. Use plain language, small amounts of information, and teach-back
C. Assume literacy from educational level
D. Provide complex instructions as quickly as possible
Correct answer: B. Use plain language, small amounts of information, and teach-
back
Rationale: Clear communication and teach-back improve the chance that the
patient can use the information safely.
11. A patient with diabetes reports sweating, shakiness, and confusion. What
is the initial nursing priority?
A. Give insulin without checking
B. Schedule a nutrition visit for next year
C. Assess glucose and immediate safety and follow the hypoglycemia protocol
D. Assume symptoms are due to anxiety
Correct answer: C. Assess glucose and immediate safety and follow the
hypoglycemia protocol
Rationale: The symptoms can indicate hypoglycemia; immediate assessment and
treatment per protocol are needed.
12. Why is home blood pressure technique important?
A. Technique does not affect results
B. Only clinic readings matter
C. All home devices measure accurately without validation
D. Incorrect cuff size or positioning can produce misleading readings
Correct answer: D. Incorrect cuff size or positioning can produce misleading
readings
Rationale: Correct cuff size, positioning, rest, and validated equipment improve
interpretation of home measurements.
