Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination
The American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) offers the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination for certification purposes. This computer-based assessment is for licensed RNs with completed graduate work in an accredited gerontological nurse practitioner program who have earned a master's, post-master's or doctorate degree. Candidates must have taken graduate classes in advanced health assessment, advanced pharmacology, advanced pathophysiology, health promotion and disease prevention and differential diagnosis and disease management. Candidates also need to have completed at least 500 clinical hours in an accredited academic program, and have met specific requirements before taking this test. This test is taken as part of the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner - Board Certified (GNP-BC) credential.
The Gerontological Nurse Practitioner test has 175 questions; 25 questions on the test are not scored, as they are used for pre-trial purposes only, but the candidate will not know which questions are scored and which are not. The score is derived from the remaining 150. Candidates must get a minimum of 105 correct in order to receive a passing raw score. The actual score will be weighted on a 500-point scale, and candidates need a minimum of 350 to pass. If a candidate does not succeed on the assessment exam, an account is provided which will help pinpoint the areas that need improvement. The subject areas of the Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Certification Examination include:
- 29 questions on health promotion and disease prevention
- 33 questions on assessment of acute and chronic illness
- 42 questions on clinical management
- 13 questions on the nurse practitioner and patient relationship
- 24 questions on professional role and policy
- 9 questions on using research
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Practice Questions
1. A nurse practitioner is instructing a person who had a left CVA and right lower extremity hemiparesis to use a quad cane. Which of the following is the most appropriate gait sequence?
A: Place the cane in the patient's left upper extremity, encourage cane, then right lower extremity, then left upper extremity gait sequence.
B: Place the cane in the patient's left upper extremity, encourage cane, then left lower extremity, then right upper extremity gait sequence.
C: Place the cane in the patient's right upper extremity, encourage cane, then right lower extremity, then left upper extremity gait sequence.
D: Place the cane in the patient's right upper extremity, encourage cane, then left lower extremity, then right upper extremity gait sequence.
2. A nurse practitioner has just started on the 7PM surgical shift. Which of the following patients should the nurse practitioner check on first?
A: A 75 year-old female who is scheduled for an EGD in 10 hours.
B: A 78 year-old male who is complaining of low back pain following back surgery and has an onset of urinary incontinence in the last hour.
C: A 55 year-old male who had a lower extremity BKA yesterday, following a MVA and has phantom pain.
D: A 89 year-old female who has received 1.5 units of RBC's. via transfusion the previous day.
3. A 84 year-old patient in a mental health lock-down unit under suicide watch appears happy about being discharged. Which of the following is probably happening?
A: The patient is excited about being around family again.
B: The patient's suicide plan has probably progressed.
C: The patient's plans for the future have been clarified.
D: The patient's mood is improving.
4. A 64 year-old male who has been diagnosed with COPD, and CHF exhibits an increase in total body weight of 10 lbs. over the last few days. The nurse practitioner should:
A: Contact the patient's physician immediately.
B: Check the intake and output on the patient's flow sheet.
C: Encourage the patient to ambulate to reduce lower extremity edema.
D: Check the patient's vitals every 2 hours.
5. A patient that has TB can be taken off restrictions after which of the following parameters have been met?
A: Negative culture results.
B: After 30 days of isolation.
C: Normal body temperature for 48 hours.
D: Non-productive cough for 72 hours.
Gerontological Nurse Practitioner Answer Key
1. (A) The cane should be placed in the patient's strong upper extremity, and left arm/right foot go together, for normal gait.
2. (B) The new onset of urinary incontinence may require additional medical assessment.
3. (B) The suicide plan may have been decided.
4. (B) Check the intake and output prior to making any decisions about patient care.
5. (A) Negative culture results would indicate absence of infection.
Nurse Practitioner Certification Review
