Ambulatory Care Test Cheat Sheet 2026

The 30 highest-yield Ambulatory Care Test facts, distilled from real exam questions. Print it, save it as a PDF, or study it here — free, no sign-up.

1. Which of the following is the primary goal of using standardized protocols during telephone triage in an ambulatory care setting? → To ensure consistency and safety in directing patients to the appropriate level of care.
2. Which of the following is a key component of an antibiotic stewardship program in an ambulatory care setting? → Educating patients on appropriate antibiotic use and resistance
3. Which research design would be most suitable to evaluate the impact of a putative metabolic enzyme inhibitor on the clearance of warfarin? → Randomized crossover study with a washout period between phases
4. Which is the recommended method for patients to safely dispose of unused or expired medications at home? → Use an authorized drug take-back program or DEA-registered collection site
5. Polypharmacy in the ambulatory care setting is most commonly defined as a patient taking how many or more concurrent medications? → Five or more
6. Under which federally required standard must ambulatory care facilities that accept Medicare develop and maintain an emergency preparedness program? → CMS Emergency Preparedness Rule (42 CFR 491)
7. What is the primary purpose of medication reconciliation at ambulatory care transitions of care? → To identify and resolve medication discrepancies between care settings
8. Which pathogen is most commonly associated with outbreaks in ambulatory endoscopy suites due to inadequate reprocessing? → Hepatitis C virus
9. A patient with scabies is seen in an ambulatory clinic. Which precaution type should be implemented? → Contact precautions
10. What is the recommended ratio of chest compressions to rescue breaths for adult CPR by a single healthcare provider in an ambulatory setting? → 30:2
11. A patient states they stopped taking their antihypertensive medication because of side effects. What is the ambulatory nurse's priority action? → Assess which side effect the patient experienced and notify the provider
12. A nurse uses the 'teach-back' method after counseling a patient on a new medication. What is the purpose of this technique? → To verify the patient correctly understood the medication instructions
13. An ambulatory surgery patient develops malignant hyperthermia intraoperatively. Which drug is the specific antidote? → Dantrolene
14. According to The Joint Commission, medication reconciliation MUST occur at which point in patient care? → At care transitions, including admission, transfer, and discharge
15. Which component of the EHR is used to document a patient's preferences regarding life-sustaining treatment in ambulatory care? → Advance directive
16. Which of the following is an example of a look-alike/sound-alike (LASA) drug pair that requires extra caution? → Hydroxyzine and hydralazine
17. A patient presents with suspected active pulmonary tuberculosis. Which transmission-based precaution is required? → Airborne precautions
18. An ambulatory care nurse is hosting a free community clinic to administer influenza vaccines. This activity is an example of which level of disease prevention? → Primary prevention
19. A clinic nurse notes an unusual cluster of postoperative wound infections following minor procedures. What is the appropriate next step? → Report the cluster to the infection preventionist for investigation
20. Which blood-borne pathogen poses the greatest risk of transmission to healthcare workers following a needlestick injury? → Hepatitis B virus (HBV)
21. Which of the following is the most critical element of post-emergency debriefing in an ambulatory care setting? → Reviewing what went well and what needs improvement to enhance future response
22. Within the context of home health care, the following are the nurse case management's main responsibilities: → Provide continuity of care.
23. A patient taking warfarin asks if it is safe to take ibuprofen for back pain. What is the ambulatory care nurse's best response? → Ibuprofen can increase bleeding risk when taken with warfarin and should be avoided
24. Giving rapid relief therapy for the following is a patient with asthma's top priority in terms of self-management: → Bronchospasm
25. Which federal program incentivized ambulatory care providers to adopt certified EHR technology through financial payments? → Meaningful Use (now Promoting Interoperability)
26. Which of the following constitutes a HIPAA breach requiring patient notification? → A locked laptop containing PHI is stolen
27. A patient is prescribed a medication classified as a high-alert drug by ISMP. What does this designation indicate? → Errors with this medication have a higher likelihood of causing significant patient harm
28. Which of the following is the MOST common barrier to medication adherence identified among ambulatory care patients in the US? → Medication cost and lack of insurance coverage
29. A patient in an ambulatory care waiting room suddenly collapses and is unresponsive. What is the first action the nurse should take? → Activate the emergency response system and assess for breathing and pulse
30. Standard precautions in ambulatory care apply to which of the following? → All patients regardless of diagnosis