Which of the following changes is most commonly associated with normal aging rather than pathological aging?

Increased systolic blood pressure

Which of the following best describes the role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within an interdisciplinary team?

Facilitating communication and collaboration among providers

Directly managing all care independently

Acting as the sole decision-maker in treatment plans

Delegating tasks to unlicensed personnel

Next, I’ll proceed with Boundary Issues (Questions 61–65). Ready to continue? Which of the following behaviors best represents a boundary violation between a nurse and a patient?

Providing personal contact information for after discharge

Accepting a handmade thank-you card

Explaining the care plan to family members

Next, I’ll continue with Change Theory / Management (Questions 81–85). Ready to proceed? Which change management model involves the stages of unfreezing, changing, and refreezing?

Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation

What is a defining feature of effective interdisciplinary healthcare teams?

Shared decision-making and collaborative care planning

Each member follows the physician’s directives without discussion

Individual goal-setting without team input

Next, I’ll continue with the topic Boundary Issues (Questions 161–165). Ready to continue? Which scenario best reflects a boundary violation in the nurse-patient relationship?

Sharing personal struggles to build rapport

Asking the patient about their pain level

Teaching a patient how to manage medications

Discussing discharge planning with the patient and their caregiver

AGCNS-BC Adult-Gerontology CNS Exam

Free AGCNS-BC Adult-Gerontology CNS Practice Questions

10 sample questions for the AGCNS-BC Adult-Gerontology CNS Exam, with the correct answer and an explanation for each. No account needed. Try each one before you open the answer.

Sections covered on the exam: Changes That Occur with Aging, Elder Abuse, Environmental Assessment, Asthma, Electrolyte Imbalance, Pressure Ulcers, Pharmacokinetics, Patients, Intra- and Interdisciplinary Teams, Preceptorship, Scope and Standards of Advanced Practice, Documentation, Boundary Issues, Social Media, Types of Budgets, Organization Accreditation Standards, Change Theory/Management, Quality Improvement, Sampling, Medical Record Review.

Question 1 · Changes That Occur with Aging
Which of the following changes is most commonly associated with normal aging rather than pathological aging?
- A.Rapid vision deterioration
- B.Sudden memory loss
- C.Increased systolic blood pressure
- D.Unintentional weight loss
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Increased systolic blood pressure
Normal aging includes gradual increases in systolic BP due to arterial stiffening. Sudden memory loss and rapid vision loss are pathological.
Question 2 · Electrolyte Imbalance
Next, I’ll continue with the topics Electrolyte Imbalance and Pressure Ulcers (Questions 21–30). Ready to proceed?
Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with muscle cramps and cardiac arrhythmias in older adults?
- A.Hypernatremia
- B.Hypocalcemia
- C.Hypermagnesemia
- D.Hypokalemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Hypokalemia
Hypokalemia can lead to muscle cramps, fatigue, and dangerous cardiac arrhythmias, especially in elderly patients on diuretics.
Question 3 · Intra- and Interdisciplinary Teams
Which of the following best describes the role of a Clinical Nurse Specialist (CNS) within an interdisciplinary team?
- A.Directly managing all care independently
- B.Acting as the sole decision-maker in treatment plans
- C.Delegating tasks to unlicensed personnel
- D.Facilitating communication and collaboration among providers
Show answer and explanation
Answer: D. Facilitating communication and collaboration among providers
The CNS acts as a clinical leader and communicator who promotes evidence-based care and ensures team collaboration.
Question 4 · Boundary Issues
Next, I’ll proceed with Boundary Issues (Questions 61–65). Ready to continue?
Which of the following behaviors best represents a boundary violation between a nurse and a patient?
- A.Active listening during care
- B.Providing personal contact information for after discharge
- C.Accepting a handmade thank-you card
- D.Explaining the care plan to family members
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Providing personal contact information for after discharge
Sharing personal contact information crosses professional boundaries and may lead to ethical and legal complications.
Question 5 · Change Theory/Management
Next, I’ll continue with Change Theory / Management (Questions 81–85). Ready to proceed?
Which change management model involves the stages of unfreezing, changing, and refreezing?
- A.Lewin’s Change Theory
- B.Kotter’s 8-Step Model
- C.Rogers’ Diffusion of Innovation
- D.Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Lewin’s Change Theory
Lewin's model explains the process of change in three phases: unfreezing current behavior, implementing change, and refreezing new behavior.
Question 6 · Changes That Occur with Aging
Which cognitive change is commonly associated with normal aging rather than pathology?
- A.Long-term memory loss
- B.Disorientation to place
- C.Slower processing speed
- D.Rapid decline in verbal skills
Show answer and explanation
Answer: C. Slower processing speed
Slowed processing speed is a normal part of aging. In contrast, disorientation or verbal decline may indicate cognitive impairment.
Question 7 · Electrolyte Imbalance
Next, I’ll proceed with the topic Electrolyte Imbalance (Questions 121–125). Ready to continue?
An elderly patient presents with lethargy and a sodium level of 128 mEq/L. What is the likely diagnosis?
- A.Hyperkalemia
- B.Hyponatremia
- C.Hypernatremia
- D.Hypocalcemia
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Hyponatremia
A sodium level below 135 mEq/L indicates hyponatremia. Symptoms include confusion, lethargy, and risk of seizures if severe.
Question 8 · Intra- and Interdisciplinary Teams
What is a defining feature of effective interdisciplinary healthcare teams?
- A.Professionals work in silos
- B.Shared decision-making and collaborative care planning
- C.Each member follows the physician’s directives without discussion
- D.Individual goal-setting without team input
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Shared decision-making and collaborative care planning
Interdisciplinary teams function through mutual respect, shared goals, and collaboration across disciplines to enhance patient care.
Question 9 · Boundary Issues
Next, I’ll continue with the topic Boundary Issues (Questions 161–165). Ready to continue?
Which scenario best reflects a boundary violation in the nurse-patient relationship?
- A.Asking the patient about their pain level
- B.Sharing personal struggles to build rapport
- C.Teaching a patient how to manage medications
- D.Discussing discharge planning with the patient and their caregiver
Show answer and explanation
Answer: B. Sharing personal struggles to build rapport
Sharing personal details for emotional support shifts focus away from the patient and can blur professional boundaries.
Question 10 · Change Theory/Management
Next, I’ll continue with the topic Change Theory / Management (Questions 181–185). Ready to proceed?
According to Lewin’s Change Theory, which stage involves identifying the need for change and preparing the organization?
- A.Unfreezing
- B.Changing
- C.Refreezing
- D.Freezing
Show answer and explanation
Answer: A. Unfreezing
In the unfreezing stage, the goal is to recognize the need for change and begin overcoming resistance by preparing stakeholders.

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