Ace the AGACNP Exam: Essential Review Questions and Exam Prep Resources

Introduction
Adult-Gerontology Acute Care certification (AGACNP-BC) is a vital attestation to an NP’s preparation for clinical practice. It ensures that professionals are equipped with the knowledge and skills needed to deliver optimal patient care. As such, the AGACNP exam serves as a critical milestone, validating your proficiency in managing acute and complex health conditions in adult and elderly populations. The significance of thorough exam preparation cannot be overstated–but where to begin? This article explores the various review materials available to NP students preparing for the AGACNP exam, from practice tests to study guides. We’ll even go over a few sample questions and explain their answers.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Practice Resources

Practice Tests
Review Courses
Flashcards
Study Guides
Choosing Reputable Resources
1. Accreditation and Credibility
2. Comprehensive Content
3. Experienced Instructors
4. Reviews and Testimonials

AGACNP Review Questions
Exam Format and Content Outline
Test-Taking Tips and Strategies
Recommended Study Plan
Study Plan
Conclusion

Practice Resources
There are so many different ways to study for the AGACNP exam. Below is a review of a few examples, including what each offers and what the benefits may be. Whichever you choose, it’s essential to make sure the program of your choice covers the key topics and concepts that will be on your exam.

Practice Tests
Practice tests and questions are an invaluable tool for testing your knowledge and level of preparedness. Ideally, they mimic the type of questions you’re likely to encounter on the exam, and can be a great way to really hone your understanding of specific technical concepts. Similarly, practice tests are about as close to the real thing as you can get. To perfectly simulate what test day will be like, they may include both scored and unscored questions. By taking timed exams, you can get a feel for how long to spend on each question, and identify areas that may need a little more attention. In the next section, we’ll go over 4 sample practice questions.

Review Courses
Exam reviews come in many shapes and sizes. Some include live webinars or Q&A sessions, while others may offer recorded lectures. Many offer access to question banks of varying sizes. Others may even offer contact hours of continuing education, which can be valuable when it comes to meeting future job or recertification requirements.

Flashcards
Some review programs offer flashcards, an age-old resource for quizzing yourself. Free sets may also be available on websites like Quizlet or Brainscape, but it’s important to consider that these cards are often created by other students and may not be as reliable as flashcards published by review companies.

Speaking of reputable resources, let’s examine a few factors that should guide your decision when choosing review materials. A course that comprehensively covers each of the topics discussed above will always be a great choice.

  1. Accreditation and Credibility
    When evaluating PMHNP exam review courses, it’s important to prioritize those offered by reputable organizations or institutions. Look for courses accredited by professional nursing organizations to ensure that the content aligns with the current standards and guidelines for PMHNPs. Credible review courses are more likely to provide accurate and up-to-date information.
  2. Comprehensive Content
    The ideal review course should cover all of the major content areas tested on the PMHNP exam. A comprehensive curriculum will better prepare candidates for the breadth of topics they may encounter during the exam.
  3. Experienced Instructors
    The expertise and experience of the instructors leading the review course play a significant role in the quality of the education provided. Try to find courses taught by instructors who have a background in nursing and a proven track round of success in preparing students for board exams. Additionally, instructor accessibility for questions and clarifications can significantly contribute to a positive learning experience.
  4. Reviews and Testimonials
    Everyone has their own preferences when it comes to learning and studying, but feedback from previous students can offer valuable insight into the effectiveness and quality of a review course. Look for user reviews and testimonials to gauge the experiences of others who have taken the same course.

Study Guides
Study guides combine many of the resources we just discussed. They are often available in an online format or as a book, and can include study tools such as review questions and explanations, practice tests, flash cards, and review of exam content. Though a more affordable option compared to full review courses, study guides tend to offer condensed material.

AGACNP Review Questions
Below are 4 practice questions for the AGACNP exam, published by ANCC. Before you scroll down to the answers, see how much you know! We’ll go over why the correct answer is the best choice, and why other options aren’t right.

Question Option A Option B Option C Option D Answer
1. When discharging an 85-year-old patient with stasis dermatitis, the AGACNP includes instructions to: keep legs elevated while seated. maintain systolic blood pressure greater than 120 mmHg. soak legs in warm water daily. wear compression stockings of 65 mmHg below the knee. A
2. A 32-year-old patient who underwent an open splenectomy for a ruptured spleen is preparing for discharge. An AGACNP reviews the potential complications with the patient. The NP emphasized which instruction to the patient? continue antibiotics for 14 days. follow up with primary care provider for vaccinations. no international travel for five years. no weight lifting restrictions. B
3. What legislation allowed NPs to be recognized Medicare providers in all geographical areas with their own provider number? Affordable Care Act Balanced Budget Act Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Uniformed Services Omnibus Budget and Reconciliation Act B
4. What kind of biopsy does the adult-gerontology acute care nurse practitioner perform to evaluate cytology, only, in the tumor? core excisional fine needle incisional C

Explanations
Question 1.
CORRECT: Stasis dermatitis is an inflammatory lower leg condition resulting from fluid build-up; it can be secondary to venous insufficiency. Keeping legs elevated while seated can prevent blood pooling and alleviate symptoms.

OTHER OPTIONS: Systolic pressure greater than 120 mmHg is considered elevated; hypertension is a risk factor for stasis dermatitis. Soaking legs is not recommended as it–as well as scratching or rough-textured towels–can injure affected skin and cause open sores or infection. While compression stockings can also be helpful, 65 mmHg is excessive; 20-30 mmHg is the most commonly prescribed strength of stocking.

Question 2.
CORRECT: After a splenectomy, patients over the age of 5 should receive Prevnar, Pneumovax 23, H. influenzae type b if not previously administered, meningococcal type C conjugate and meningococcal quadrivalent polysaccharide vaccines, and an annual influenza vaccine.

OTHER OPTIONS: Asplenic patients are recommended to take amoxicillin prophylaxis for a minimum of 3 years post-splenectomy to reduce the risk of Streptococcal bacteremia; 14 days is not long enough. International travel poses an increased risk of illness for patients who have undergone splenectomy, but is acceptable if they have received necessary vaccines prior to travel. After an open splenectomy, patients should not lift more than 10 pounds for at least 6 weeks.

Question 3.
CORRECT: The Balanced Budget Act of 1997 established that acute care NPs could be directly reimbursed for inpatient services provided to Medicare patients; prior to this, they could not.

OTHER OPTIONS: The Affordable Care Act increased Medicaid payments to physicians providing primary care services; some NPs may qualify for increased payments, but only when supervised by a physician. The Civilian Health and Medical Program of the Department of Veteran Affairs (CHAMPVA) established a healthcare program through which the VA partially pays covered healthcare services, secondary to Medicare. Eligible nurse practitioners can be reimbursed by CHAMPVA. The Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989 established that NPs in rural areas who were supervised by physicians could be partially reimbursed by Medicare.

Question 4.
CORRECT: Cytology tests only require samples of a few cells as opposed to tissue. A fine needle biopsy is the most appropriate because it is the least invasive and removes the smallest sample.

OTHER OPTIONS: Core biopsies also use a needle, but it is larger than the needle used in a fine needle aspiration as they are used to extract larger, intact tissue samples. Excisional biopsies remove entire tumors, and incisional biopsies remove portions of tumors. Both of the samples exceed what is needed and pose a greater risk to the patient.

Exam Format and Content Outline
As described by the ANCC AGACNP-BC test content outline, these include the following.

First, ANCC categorizes its questions based on content domains. These include core competencies (23% of all questions), clinical practice (45%), and professional role (32%). Secondary classifications are made based on the body system, drug agent, and/or age group a question addresses. These can include the following:

When it comes to content domains, listed above, ANCC tests both related knowledge and skills. The first domain, core competencies, covers knowledge related to advance pathophysiology and advanced pharmacology, plus the skills associated with advanced physical assessment.

Next is the clinical practice content domain. Related knowledge that can be tested includes standards of care and clinical guidelines, standardized assessment tools, psychosocial factors such as emotional or cultural considerations, cost-effective care, and health promotion and disease prevention. The skills of this domain include risk stratification, diagnostic testing and procedures, non-pharmacological treatments and procedures, and pharmacologic treatment and procedures.

The third content domain addresses the professional role of an AGACNP. This includes an understanding of the scope and standards of professional practice, health care policy and systems, and quality improvement processes. You may also be tested on your understanding of the skills related to research and evidence-based practice, educational strategies and health literacy, and relationship development with your patients, their families, and your peers.

Test-Taking Tips and Strategies
Test-taking in itself is a skill, and success on an exam can depend equally on your grasp of the material and your test-taking strategy. Here are some tips we recommend to make sure you shine your brightest on test day! (But don’t wait until then to try these out–you can get extra practice by using them as you complete practice exams.)

1. Read Instructions Carefully: begin by thoroughly reading all instructions and exam questions.

2. Allocate Time Wisely: divide your time among different sections of the exam based on the number of questions and their complexity. Prioritize the questions that you find challenging but avoid spending too much time on any single question.

3. Flag Difficult Questions: if you encounter a particularly challenging question, don’t dwell on it for too long. Flag it and move on to other questions, revisiting it later if time permits.

4. Keep Track of Time: monitor the time remaining for each section of the exam and adjust your pace accordingly. Pace yourself to ensure you complete all questions within the allotted time.

4. Review Answers: if time allows, revisit marked or unanswered questions to review your answers. Make sure you haven’t overlooked any important details or made careless errors.

Study Plan: After reviewing the exam content we discussed above, you might be wondering where to begin. It can definitely be overwhelming! But with the right strategies and study plan, you can increase your chances of success. Check out our exam prep tips below:

1. Start Early: beginning your preparation well in advance will allow sufficient time for comprehensive review and practice.

2. Create a Study Schedule: develop a study plan that allocates specific time slots for each subject or topic. Sticking to this schedule can ensure thorough coverage of all exam content. For example, you may want to dedicate weeks 1 and 2 to reviewing foundational concepts in primary care, including anatomy, physiology, pharmacology, and pathophysiology. Then, during weeks 3 and 4, you can focus on specialty-specific topics. Weeks 5 and 6 can be dedicated to practice exams and review sessions, and weeks 7 and 8 to targeted practice in weak areas.

3. Use Multiple Resources: utilize a variety of study materials, including textbooks, online resources, practice exams, and review courses. This will provide a well-rounded understanding of the exam content and help supplement gaps that any one source may have.

4. Practice Regularly: engage in regular practice tests to familiarize yourself with the exam format and assess your progress. Aim to simulate exam conditions as closely as possible during these practice sessions.

5. Focus on Weak Areas: identify your areas of weakness and allocate extra time to review and reinforce these topics. Don’t neglect any subject, but prioritize those where you need the most improvement.

6. Stay Healthy: adequate rest, nutrition, and exercise thorough your preparation period can enhance your cognitive function and overall well-being, positively impacting your exam performance. This is a full body experience!

Conclusion: In conclusion, there is a great variety of resources to support you in your journey toward AGACNP certification. From textbooks and online review courses to practice questions and tests, these resources offer comprehensive content review, practice opportunities, and test-taking strategies. By leveraging these resources effectively, you can enhance your knowledge, sharpen your clinical reasoning skills, and increase both your confidence and readiness for the exam. With dedication and strategic planning, you can navigate the path to AGACNP certification with proficiency and assurance–we believe in you!

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