BPS Geriatric Pharmacy Certification Examination Practice Test
Geriatric pharmacy practice focuses on medication use in older adults, where age-related changes, multiple conditions, and complex regimens can alter treatment safety and effectiveness. BCGP practice topics include medication-related risks such as electrolyte disturbances, drug interactions, administration challenges, adherence barriers, and appropriate use of medicines for conditions common in later life.
Exam overview
About the BPS Geriatric Pharmacy Certification Examination Exam
Questions use patient scenarios to exercise clinical reasoning about medication selection, monitoring, and counseling. Relevant tasks include recognizing adverse effects that may present as weakness or unsteadiness, identifying laboratory values that can clarify a medication-related problem, and assessing interaction risks such as combined QT-prolonging drugs. Scenarios also address practical administration decisions: supporting consistent levothyroxine absorption, managing swallowing difficulty without compromising an extended-release formulation, and giving correct instructions for oral alendronate. Other judgment areas include considering severe hypoglycemia history when evaluating sulfonylurea use, assessing kidney function around iodinated-contrast imaging for a patient taking metformin, and choosing adherence supports after reviewing a complex regimen. Together, these topics emphasize individualized medication review, risk reduction, and communication with patients and caregivers.
Sample Practice Questions
Review a selection from this exam's published US Practice Tests practice bank.
An older adult with osteoporosis has a new diagnosis of vitamin B12 deficiency. Which medication history is particularly relevant because long-term use may contribute to reduced vitamin B12 absorption in some patients?
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Correct answer: ALong-term proton pump inhibitor therapy can reduce absorption of food-bound vitamin B12 in some patients. The medication history is relevant when evaluating deficiency, though other causes should also be considered.
An older adult taking a loop diuretic has a serum sodium concentration below the reference range and reports new unsteadiness. Which medication-related issue should be considered?
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Correct answer: ADiuretics can contribute to electrolyte abnormalities, including hyponatremia in some circumstances. Low sodium may be associated with gait disturbance or confusion. The clinical team should assess severity, volume status, other causes, and the medication regimen before changing therapy or supplementing electrolytes.
A patient with heart failure takes furosemide and reports new muscle weakness. Which laboratory test is especially relevant to assess a potentially medication-related cause?
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Correct answer: ALoop diuretics such as furosemide can increase potassium losses. Hypokalemia may cause weakness and can increase arrhythmia risk; electrolyte assessment is appropriate.
An older adult is prescribed levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. Which counseling instruction best supports consistent absorption?
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Correct answer: ALevothyroxine absorption is affected by food and by products such as calcium and iron. Consistent administration on an empty stomach, with appropriate separation from interfering supplements, helps maintain stable exposure. Dose changes should be guided by clinical assessment and thyroid testing.
An older adult taking metformin is scheduled for an iodinated-contrast imaging study. Which factor is most important when deciding whether metformin should be temporarily withheld and when it can be restarted?
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Correct answer: AMetformin is cleared by the kidneys. In patients at risk of acute kidney injury, temporary interruption around iodinated contrast and reassessment of renal function before restarting may be appropriate, following current guidance and local protocols.
An older adult with atrial fibrillation is taking sotalol and has a newly prescribed antibiotic known to prolong the QT interval. What is the most appropriate medication-safety action?
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Correct answer: ACombining QT-prolonging medicines can increase the risk of torsades de pointes, especially in the presence of bradycardia, electrolyte abnormalities, or other risk factors. The regimen should be reviewed and an alternative or monitoring plan considered with the prescriber.
An older adult with a history of severe hypoglycemia is prescribed a sulfonylurea. Which prescribing consideration is most important?
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Correct answer: ASulfonylureas can cause clinically important hypoglycemia, with risk influenced by renal function, food intake, dose, and individual circumstances. Treatment choices and targets should be individualized, especially for someone with prior severe episodes.
How to use this practice test
The free US Practice Tests bank contains 50 published questions. Each practice session presents up to 20 questions selected at random, with results shown after the session. Use the scenarios to check how you apply medication-safety reasoning, monitoring, administration, and counseling to older-adult care; review missed answers by identifying the clinical factor that should guide the decision.
Preparation tips
- For cases involving weakness, unsteadiness, or other new symptoms, connect the medication list with relevant laboratory monitoring, including electrolytes when a diuretic may be involved.
- Practice identifying interaction risks from the full regimen, especially when a newly prescribed medicine may add to QT prolongation or another serious medication effect.
- Compare administration requirements for medicines such as levothyroxine and oral alendronate, and distinguish safe alternatives from actions that could alter an extended-release dosage form.
- When reviewing a complex regimen, weigh hypoglycemia history, kidney function, swallowing ability, and the patient's daily routine before suggesting a medication or adherence strategy.