Barkley AGPCNP Predictor/Readiness Practice FLORIDA
STATE FIRE INSTRUCTOR 3 ACTUAL EXAM ALL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+. 100%
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST
GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
Questions 1–20: Cardiovascular & Hypertension
1. A 67-year-old patient has BP readings of 158/94 and 162/96 mmHg on separate visits. How
should this be classified?
A. Normal
B. Elevated BP
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: D. Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg is classified as stage 2 hypertension under commonly
used ACC/AHA definitions. Diagnosis should be based on accurate measurements and
appropriate confirmation.
2. Which lifestyle intervention is particularly effective for reducing blood pressure?
A. Increasing dietary sodium
B. DASH-style diet
C. Increasing processed foods
D. Avoiding exercise
Answer: B. DASH-style diet
Rationale: The DASH eating pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and
low-fat dairy while limiting sodium and saturated fat.
,3. A 72-year-old patient with hypertension and albuminuric chronic kidney disease needs
antihypertensive therapy. Which class is particularly beneficial?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Nitrate
C. Alpha-2 agonist only
D. Loop diuretic only
Answer: A. ACE inhibitor
Rationale: ACE inhibitors or ARBs can reduce intraglomerular pressure and albuminuria and are
commonly preferred in appropriate patients with albuminuric CKD.
4. A patient develops a persistent dry cough while taking lisinopril. Which medication is a
reasonable alternative?
A. Losartan
B. Digoxin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Furosemide only
Answer: A. Losartan
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause cough. An ARB such as losartan is commonly substituted
because ARBs have a much lower incidence of cough.
5. A 70-year-old patient develops crushing substernal chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea.
What is the priority?
A. Schedule a routine appointment
B. Emergency evaluation
C. Recommend antacids
D. Order a lipid panel first
Answer: B. Emergency evaluation
Rationale: The symptoms are highly concerning for acute coronary syndrome and require
immediate emergency assessment.
6. Which finding is most suggestive of left-sided heart failure?
,A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Isolated ankle injury
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Enlarged thyroid
Answer: A. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left ventricular dysfunction causes increased pulmonary venous pressure and
pulmonary congestion, which can produce crackles.
7. An older adult reports needing three pillows to sleep because of shortness of breath. This is
known as:
A. Orthopnea
B. Hemoptysis
C. Claudication
D. Syncope
Answer: A. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is dyspnea occurring when lying flat and is commonly associated with
heart failure.
8. A patient with atrial fibrillation is hemodynamically stable with rapid ventricular response.
Which medication may be used for rate control?
A. Diltiazem
B. Epinephrine
C. Alteplase
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: A. Diltiazem
Rationale: Diltiazem slows AV nodal conduction and can be used for ventricular rate control in
appropriate patients.
9. Which finding represents an important stroke-risk factor in atrial fibrillation?
A. Prior stroke/TIA
B. Seasonal allergies
, C. Mild GERD
D. Cataracts
Answer: A. Prior stroke/TIA
Rationale: Previous stroke or TIA substantially increases thromboembolic risk in patients with
AF and is incorporated into commonly used stroke-risk assessment tools.
10. A 75-year-old patient reports calf pain after walking 2 blocks that resolves after resting.
What is most likely?
A. Peripheral arterial disease
B. Cellulitis
C. DVT
D. Osteomyelitis
Answer: A. Peripheral arterial disease
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is exertional muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial
blood flow and relieved by rest.
11. Which test is commonly used to evaluate suspected peripheral arterial disease?
A. Ankle-brachial index
B. EEG
C. Colonoscopy
D. Spirometry
Answer: A. Ankle-brachial index
Rationale: ABI compares ankle and brachial systolic pressures and is a common initial
noninvasive test for PAD.
12. An older adult develops unilateral leg swelling, warmth, and tenderness. What should be
considered?
A. DVT
B. GERD
C. Migraine
D. Asthma
STATE FIRE INSTRUCTOR 3 ACTUAL EXAM ALL
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ALREADY GRADED A+. 100%
VERIFIED SOLUTIONS | UPDATED PER LATEST
GUIDELINES | GRADED A+
Questions 1–20: Cardiovascular & Hypertension
1. A 67-year-old patient has BP readings of 158/94 and 162/96 mmHg on separate visits. How
should this be classified?
A. Normal
B. Elevated BP
C. Stage 1 hypertension
D. Stage 2 hypertension
Answer: D. Stage 2 hypertension
Rationale: Blood pressure ≥140/90 mmHg is classified as stage 2 hypertension under commonly
used ACC/AHA definitions. Diagnosis should be based on accurate measurements and
appropriate confirmation.
2. Which lifestyle intervention is particularly effective for reducing blood pressure?
A. Increasing dietary sodium
B. DASH-style diet
C. Increasing processed foods
D. Avoiding exercise
Answer: B. DASH-style diet
Rationale: The DASH eating pattern emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, legumes, and
low-fat dairy while limiting sodium and saturated fat.
,3. A 72-year-old patient with hypertension and albuminuric chronic kidney disease needs
antihypertensive therapy. Which class is particularly beneficial?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Nitrate
C. Alpha-2 agonist only
D. Loop diuretic only
Answer: A. ACE inhibitor
Rationale: ACE inhibitors or ARBs can reduce intraglomerular pressure and albuminuria and are
commonly preferred in appropriate patients with albuminuric CKD.
4. A patient develops a persistent dry cough while taking lisinopril. Which medication is a
reasonable alternative?
A. Losartan
B. Digoxin
C. Nitroglycerin
D. Furosemide only
Answer: A. Losartan
Rationale: ACE inhibitors can cause cough. An ARB such as losartan is commonly substituted
because ARBs have a much lower incidence of cough.
5. A 70-year-old patient develops crushing substernal chest pain, diaphoresis, and nausea.
What is the priority?
A. Schedule a routine appointment
B. Emergency evaluation
C. Recommend antacids
D. Order a lipid panel first
Answer: B. Emergency evaluation
Rationale: The symptoms are highly concerning for acute coronary syndrome and require
immediate emergency assessment.
6. Which finding is most suggestive of left-sided heart failure?
,A. Pulmonary crackles
B. Isolated ankle injury
C. Hyperactive bowel sounds
D. Enlarged thyroid
Answer: A. Pulmonary crackles
Rationale: Left ventricular dysfunction causes increased pulmonary venous pressure and
pulmonary congestion, which can produce crackles.
7. An older adult reports needing three pillows to sleep because of shortness of breath. This is
known as:
A. Orthopnea
B. Hemoptysis
C. Claudication
D. Syncope
Answer: A. Orthopnea
Rationale: Orthopnea is dyspnea occurring when lying flat and is commonly associated with
heart failure.
8. A patient with atrial fibrillation is hemodynamically stable with rapid ventricular response.
Which medication may be used for rate control?
A. Diltiazem
B. Epinephrine
C. Alteplase
D. Amoxicillin
Answer: A. Diltiazem
Rationale: Diltiazem slows AV nodal conduction and can be used for ventricular rate control in
appropriate patients.
9. Which finding represents an important stroke-risk factor in atrial fibrillation?
A. Prior stroke/TIA
B. Seasonal allergies
, C. Mild GERD
D. Cataracts
Answer: A. Prior stroke/TIA
Rationale: Previous stroke or TIA substantially increases thromboembolic risk in patients with
AF and is incorporated into commonly used stroke-risk assessment tools.
10. A 75-year-old patient reports calf pain after walking 2 blocks that resolves after resting.
What is most likely?
A. Peripheral arterial disease
B. Cellulitis
C. DVT
D. Osteomyelitis
Answer: A. Peripheral arterial disease
Rationale: Intermittent claudication is exertional muscle pain caused by inadequate arterial
blood flow and relieved by rest.
11. Which test is commonly used to evaluate suspected peripheral arterial disease?
A. Ankle-brachial index
B. EEG
C. Colonoscopy
D. Spirometry
Answer: A. Ankle-brachial index
Rationale: ABI compares ankle and brachial systolic pressures and is a common initial
noninvasive test for PAD.
12. An older adult develops unilateral leg swelling, warmth, and tenderness. What should be
considered?
A. DVT
B. GERD
C. Migraine
D. Asthma
