PracticeVideosBlogFlashcards
All Practice Exams

Free Practice Questions for PMGT-BC

Exam-style questions and explanations by OpenExamPrep.

✓ No registration✓ No credit card
Exam pass rate: 63% first-time (2025)
100+ Questions
100% Free

Loading practice questions...

Same family resources

Explore More ANCC Nursing Certifications

Continue into nearby exams from the same family. Each card keeps practice questions, study guides, flashcards, videos, and articles in one place.

ANCC-MEDSURG-BC

Practice Questions200 questionsStudy Guide55 topicsCheat Sheet146 factsFlashcards50 cardsVideos2 videosBlogs3 blogsFree CE

PMH-BC Psychiatric-Mental Health Nursing

Practice Questions100 questionsStudy Guide32 topicsCheat Sheet89 factsFlashcards50 cardsBlogs2 blogsFree CE

ANCC-AGACNP-BC

Practice Questions210 questionsStudy Guide30 topicsCheat Sheet90 factsFlashcards50 cardsVideos1 videoBlogs1 blogFree CE

ANCC Gerontological Nursing (GERO-BC)

Practice Questions204 questionsStudy Guide50 topicsBlogs1 blogFree CE

ANCC-NPD-BC

Practice Questions200 questionsStudy Guide39 topicsCheat Sheet228 factsFlashcards50 cardsVideos1 videoBlogs1 blogFree CE

ANCC Family Nurse Practitioner (FNP-BC)

Practice Questions200 questionsStudy Guide75 topicsVideos1 videoBlogs1 blogFree CE

More From This Family

Videos and articles for deeper review.

VideoANCC AGACNP-BC Exam Guide 2026: Acute Care NP PrepVideoANCC NPD-BC Exam Guide 2026: Eligibility, Blueprint, and Study PlanVideoCMSRN vs MEDSURG-BC 2026: Which Med-Surg Cert? (FREE Guide)VideoFREE ANCC FNP Study Guide 2026: FNP-BC Blueprint, Pass Rate, and 12-Week PlanArticleANCC NPD-BC Exam Guide 2026: Eligibility, Blueprint, and Study Plan13 min readArticleANCC AGACNP-BC Exam Guide 2026: Acute Care NP Prep14 min readArticleANCC NE-BC Exam Guide 2026: Nurse Executive Prep by Domain8 min readArticleANCC PMH-BC Exam Guide 2026: Eligibility, Blueprint, and Prep15 min read
Exam Review

Key Facts: PMGT-BC Exam

150

Total Questions

ANCC

3 hours

Exam Time

ANCC

$295-$395

Exam Fee

ANCC

5 years

Certification Validity

ANCC

The PMGT-BC Pain Management Nursing exam is a competency-based examination for registered nurses. It consists of 150 multiple-choice questions, with 125 scored and 25 unscored pretest questions. The exam duration is 3 hours, and passing requires a scaled score of 350 or higher (maximum 500). ANCC's 2025 first-time pass rate was 63% (98 of 156). The certification is valid for 5 years.

Sample PMGT-BC Practice Questions

Try these sample questions to review concepts for the PMGT-BC exam. Each question includes a detailed explanation. Start the interactive quiz above for the full 100+ question experience with AI tutoring.

1A patient reports burning, shooting pain in the lower extremities with allodynia following chemotherapy. Which type of pain is most likely?
A.Nociceptive somatic pain
B.Nociceptive visceral pain
C.Neuropathic pain
D.Idiopathic pain
Explanation: Burning, shooting pain with allodynia (pain from a non-painful stimulus) following chemotherapy is characteristic of neuropathic pain due to nerve injury. Nociceptive somatic pain is typically aching and well-localized. Visceral pain is poorly localized and cramping. Idiopathic pain has no identifiable cause.
2Which pain assessment tool is MOST appropriate for a nonverbal adult with advanced dementia?
A.Numeric Rating Scale (NRS)
B.Visual Analog Scale (VAS)
C.PAINAD scale
D.Wong-Baker FACES
Explanation: The Pain Assessment in Advanced Dementia (PAINAD) scale evaluates breathing, vocalization, facial expression, body language, and consolability — designed for nonverbal adults with dementia. NRS and VAS require self-report. Wong-Baker FACES is best for pediatric patients who can self-report.
3A patient with cancer pain reports baseline pain of 4/10 controlled by long-acting morphine, but episodes of 8/10 pain occur 3-4 times daily lasting 30 minutes. This pattern is BEST described as:
A.Persistent uncontrolled pain
B.Breakthrough pain
C.End-of-dose failure
D.Opioid-induced hyperalgesia
Explanation: Breakthrough pain is a transient flare of pain superimposed on otherwise controlled baseline pain. End-of-dose failure occurs predictably before the next scheduled dose. Opioid-induced hyperalgesia is paradoxical worsening with increased opioid dose. The pattern described is classic breakthrough pain.
4Which physiologic process amplifies pain signals through repeated stimulation of dorsal horn neurons?
A.Transduction
B.Transmission
C.Modulation
D.Central sensitization
Explanation: Central sensitization is a maladaptive process in which repeated nociceptive input increases excitability of dorsal horn neurons, contributing to chronic pain and hyperalgesia. Transduction converts stimuli to electrical signals. Transmission is signal conduction. Modulation can either amplify or inhibit pain signals.
5A patient describes pain as 'cramping and squeezing' in the abdomen that is poorly localized. This description is MOST consistent with:
A.Somatic pain
B.Visceral pain
C.Neuropathic pain
D.Psychogenic pain
Explanation: Visceral pain originates from internal organs and is typically described as poorly localized, deep, cramping, or squeezing. Somatic pain is well-localized and aching/sharp. Neuropathic pain is burning/shooting. Psychogenic pain is rarely diagnosed and requires exclusion of other causes.
6The FLACC scale assesses pain in:
A.Adults with dementia
B.Preverbal or nonverbal children ages 2 months to 7 years
C.Critically ill ventilated adults
D.Patients with intellectual disabilities
Explanation: FLACC (Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability) is a behavioral pain assessment tool validated for preverbal or nonverbal children ages 2 months to 7 years. PAINAD is for dementia, CPOT/BPS for ventilated adults, and r-FLACC has been adapted for some patients with cognitive impairment.
7Which finding BEST distinguishes acute pain from chronic pain?
A.Pain intensity rating
B.Presence of autonomic responses (tachycardia, diaphoresis)
C.Patient's verbal report
D.Use of opioid analgesics
Explanation: Acute pain typically activates the sympathetic nervous system, producing tachycardia, hypertension, diaphoresis, and pupil dilation. In chronic pain, the body adapts and these autonomic signs are usually absent — leading some clinicians to incorrectly assume the patient is not in pain. Patient self-report remains the gold standard regardless of physical signs.
8A patient post-thoracotomy describes burning pain along the incision site 4 months after surgery. This is BEST characterized as:
A.Acute postoperative pain
B.Chronic postsurgical neuropathic pain
C.Phantom pain
D.Referred pain
Explanation: Persistent pain after surgery (>3 months) with neuropathic features such as burning is consistent with chronic postsurgical pain (CPSP), often involving intercostal nerve injury after thoracotomy. Acute postoperative pain resolves within weeks. Phantom pain follows amputation. Referred pain is felt at a site distant from the source.
9The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) is BEST used to assess:
A.Pain intensity only
B.Pain intensity and interference with daily function
C.Risk for opioid misuse
D.Neuropathic pain features
Explanation: The Brief Pain Inventory (BPI) measures pain severity AND the interference of pain with function (general activity, mood, walking, work, relationships, sleep, enjoyment). It is widely used in cancer and chronic pain. The Opioid Risk Tool screens for misuse risk; DN4 or PainDETECT screen for neuropathic features.
10Which statement about pain in older adults is TRUE?
A.Pain perception decreases significantly with age
B.Older adults frequently underreport pain
C.Acetaminophen is contraindicated in older adults
D.Opioids should always be avoided in older adults
Explanation: Older adults frequently underreport pain due to stoicism, fear of opioids, fear of addiction, fear of being a burden, or belief that pain is a normal part of aging. Pain perception does NOT meaningfully decrease with age. Acetaminophen (≤3 g/day in older adults) is first-line. Opioids may be used cautiously when benefits outweigh risks.

About the PMGT-BC Exam

The Pain Management Nursing board certification (PMGT-BC) from the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC) is for registered nurses who want to demonstrate their expertise in pain management. The exam validates competence in the assessment, treatment, and ongoing management of acute, chronic, cancer, and end-of-life pain across the lifespan.

Exam sponsor: ANCC. The requirements and fees below concern the certification or admission exam, separate from our free practice resources.

Questions

150 questions

Time Limit

3 hours

Passing Score

Scaled score 350 (maximum 500)

Exam / Certification Fees

$295-$395

Exam sponsor website

Reported exam pass rate: 63% first-time (2025). ANCC 2025 Certification Data This describes exam candidates, not OpenExamPrep users or results from using our resources. Exam sponsor website

Fees, eligibility, and exam policies can change. Confirm them with the exam sponsor before applying or paying.

Our practice resources: topics covered

We aim to reflect publicly available exam outlines and topic information in our study resources. Coverage, format, and difficulty may differ from the actual exam, and we cannot guarantee that every detail is accurate or current. Confirm exam requirements, fees, and policies with the official exam sponsor.

44%

Fundamentals of Pain

Science of pain and assessment: pain types and mechanisms, pain history, assessment tools, function, and substance use disorder risk.

42%

Interventions

Plan of care, pharmacologic treatment (non-opioids, opioids, adjuvants, conversions, side effects), and non-pharmacologic and interventional treatment.

14%

Professional Practice

Education and advocacy, therapeutic communication, cultural considerations, scope, standards, ethics, and crisis response.

Preparing for the PMGT-BC Exam

What You Need to Know

  • Passing score: Scaled score 350 (maximum 500)
  • Exam length: 150 questions
  • Time limit: 3 hours
  • Exam / certification fees: $295-$395 Official sources

Using Our Practice Resources

  • Work through all 100 available questions
  • Review every answer and explanation
  • Track weak areas and revisit them
  • Use our AI tutor for tough concepts

PMGT-BC: Suggested Study Strategy

1Start with Fundamentals of Pain (44% of scored items): pain types and mechanisms, validated assessment tools, and substance use disorder risk screening.
2Give Interventions (42%) equal weight: opioid stewardship, non-opioids and adjuvants, equianalgesic conversions, side-effect management, and non-pharmacologic and interventional care.
3Do not skip Professional Practice (14%): patient and family education, therapeutic communication, cultural considerations, ethics, and crisis response.
4Review the CDC 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain alongside the ANCC Test Content Outline.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many questions are on the PMGT-BC exam?

The PMGT-BC exam has 150 multiple-choice questions. 125 are scored, and 25 are unscored pretest questions used for future exam development.

How long is the PMGT-BC exam?

You will have 3 hours to complete the exam at a Prometric test center.

What is the passing score for the PMGT-BC exam?

ANCC requires a scaled score of 350 or higher (maximum 500). The passing standard is not a percentage; it is set by a panel of subject matter experts.

How much does the PMGT-BC exam cost?

The exam fee is $395 for non-members, $295 for American Nurses Association (ANA) members, and $340 for American Society for Pain Management Nursing (ASPMN) members, including a $140 non-refundable administrative fee.

What are the eligibility requirements for the PMGT-BC exam?

You need an active RN license, at least 2 years of full-time RN practice, 2,000 hours of clinical practice in pain management within the last 3 years, and 30 hours of continuing education in pain management within the last 3 years.

How long is PMGT-BC certification valid?

PMGT-BC certification is valid for 5 years. Renewal requires meeting ANCC's professional development requirements.

Does the PMGT-BC exam test the CDC 2022 opioid guideline?

Yes. The Interventions domain covers pharmacological treatment, and content reflects current best practices, including the CDC 2022 Clinical Practice Guideline for Prescribing Opioids for Pain, opioid stewardship, and risk mitigation strategies.