Adult-Gerontology Primary Care Nurse Practitioner (A-GNP)
The A-GNP certification examination is an entry-level competency-based examination that tests clinical knowledge of young adults (including adolescents and emancipated minors), adults, older adults, and elderly.
How many questions are on the examination?
- There are 150 questions on each examination. A candidate's score is based solely on the 135 scored questions. Of the 150 questions, 15 are pretest questions.
- Pretest questions are used on the examinations to obtain statistical information for determining how well they perform prior to vetting them for use on the scored portion of the examination. The pretest questions cannot be distinguished from those that are scored. A test-taker’s score on pretest questions does not affect a candidate's final score.
2023 A-GNP EXAMINATION BLUEPRINT
DOMAIN I |
# of scored items |
% items |
01 - Assessment |
37 |
28% |
02 - Diagnosis |
34 |
25% |
03 - Plan |
34 |
25% |
04 - Evaluation |
30 |
22% |
TOTAL |
135 |
100% |
DOMAIN II - Patient Age * |
# of scored items |
% items |
Adolescent |
3 |
2% |
Young Adult |
18 |
13% |
Adult |
38 |
28% |
Older Adult |
54 |
40% |
Elderly |
22 |
17% |
TOTAL |
135 |
100% |
Age Parameters are not defined for any population. AANPCB uses growth and development for constructing the certification exams.
DOMAINS AND TASKS
DOMAIN 01 - ASSESSMENT
- Obtain subjective patient information, such as relevant medical history, social history, family history, chief complaint, history of present illness, and review of systems
- Perform physical examination to obtain objective information based on patient age or developmental level, health history, and comorbidities
- Order, perform, and interpret screening and diagnostic tests
DOMAIN 02 - DIAGNOSIS
- Synthesize and analyze subjective and objective information to formulate differential diagnoses
- Prioritize potential differential diagnoses, including recognizing urgent and emergent conditions
- Establish primary diagnoses
DOMAIN 03 - PLAN
- Establish an individualized, patient-centered plan of care that is consistent with best evidence
- Initiate referrals and consultations and collaborate with interprofessional teams
- Prescribe, order, and administer pharmacologic and non-pharmacologic therapies
- Provide education, counselling, and health promotion strategies
DOMAIN 04 - EVALUATION
- Evaluate the effectiveness of the plan of care
- Identify existing barriers
- Modify the plan of care as appropriate based on patient outcomes
- Coordinate and monitor ongoing plan of care
A-GNP Knowledge Areas
Health Assessment
- Health history
- Signs and symptoms
- Mental health assessment
- Physical examination
- Functional assessment
- Diagnostic and therapeutic tests
- Cultural competence/sensitivity
- Therapeutic communication
Pathophysiology
- Anatomy
- Physiology
- Pathophysiology
- Comorbidities
Therapeutics
- Pharmacologic therapies
- Non-pharmacologic therapies
- Integrative therapies
Evidence-informed Practice
- Clinical decision-making
- Crisis management
- Differential diagnosis
- Health promotion, harm reduction, and disease prevention
- Patient and family education and counselling
- Principles of epidemiology, population health, and social determinants of health
- Disaster preparedness / public health emergency response
- Procedures
- Transitions of care (transfer, end-of-life care, etc.)
- Care of diverse populations
- Healthcare finance, economics, and policy
- Interprofessional practice
- Legal and ethical issues
My AANPCB