APEA 3P Exam Question Bank | Complete
Practice Exam with Actual Questions, Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales |
Latest Update-2026/2027 Edition - Graded A+
Question 1
What is a possible cause of jugular venous distention (JVD) in a patient?
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Severe dehydration
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Answer: B
Rationale: JVD is often a sign of right-sided heart failure, where the heart is unable to
efficiently pump blood, leading to increased venous pressure and backup of blood into the
jugular veins.
Question 2
What does cyanosis of the lips and extremities most likely indicate?
A. Liver failure
B. Poor oxygenation
C. High blood pressure
D. Dehydration
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration that typically occurs due to low oxygen levels in
the blood (hypoxemia), especially visible in the lips and extremities.
Question 3
When assessing pupillary reaction, what does PERRLA stand for?
A. Pupils Equal, Responsive, Regular, Light Accommodating
B. Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
C. Pupil Examination Reveals Regular and Light Activity
D. Pupils Easily Responsive, Reduced Light Activity
1
,Answer: B
Rationale: PERRLA is a common acronym used to assess the pupils for equality, roundness,
reaction to light, and accommodation.
Question 4
When performing a neurological assessment, which of the following indicates an abnormal
Romberg test?
A. The patient stands with minimal swaying
B. The patient can maintain balance with eyes open and closed
C. The patient begins to sway or loses balance with eyes closed
D. The patient is unable to perform the test
Answer: C
Rationale: A positive Romberg test, where the patient sways or falls when their eyes are
closed, suggests a sensory dysfunction affecting balance, such as proprioception or vestibular
impairment.
Question 5
What is the primary technique used to assess bruit over the carotid artery?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Inspection
D. Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultation is used to listen for a bruit over the carotid artery, which suggests
turbulent blood flow due to narrowing of the artery (atherosclerosis or stenosis).
Question 6
What is the normal range of motion for the shoulder?
A. 90° flexion and 180° abduction
B. 180° flexion and 360° rotation
C. 180° flexion and 90° abduction
D. 45° flexion and 180° abduction
Answer: B
Rationale: The shoulder has a wide range of motion, including 180° flexion and 360° rotation
(circumduction), making it the most mobile joint in the body.
2
, Question 7
What should the nurse assess for when inspecting the patient's skin during a physical exam?
A. Moisture, color, temperature, and texture
B. Pulses and capillary refill
C. Muscle strength and movement
D. Bowel sounds and reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Skin inspection includes assessing moisture, color, temperature, and texture to
identify any abnormalities or signs of underlying health issues such as dehydration, infection,
or circulatory problems.
Question 8
When assessing for pitting edema, which scale is used to grade the severity?
A. MRC Scale
B. Glasgow Coma Scale
C. 0 to 4+ scale
D. Apgar Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: Pitting edema is graded on a 0 to 4+ scale, with 0 indicating no edema and 4+
indicating severe edema with deep indentation (8-10 mm).
Question 9
What is an expected finding when assessing the abdomen of a healthy adult?
A. Abdominal distension
B. Visible pulsations
C. Spherical shape
D. Symmetrical and flat contour
Answer: D
Rationale: The healthy adult abdomen typically has a symmetrical, flat, or slightly rounded
contour without visible pulsations or distension.
Question 10
3
Practice Exam with Actual Questions, Verified
Correct Answers and Detailed Rationales |
Latest Update-2026/2027 Edition - Graded A+
Question 1
What is a possible cause of jugular venous distention (JVD) in a patient?
A. Left-sided heart failure
B. Right-sided heart failure
C. Severe dehydration
D. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Answer: B
Rationale: JVD is often a sign of right-sided heart failure, where the heart is unable to
efficiently pump blood, leading to increased venous pressure and backup of blood into the
jugular veins.
Question 2
What does cyanosis of the lips and extremities most likely indicate?
A. Liver failure
B. Poor oxygenation
C. High blood pressure
D. Dehydration
Answer: B
Rationale: Cyanosis is a bluish discoloration that typically occurs due to low oxygen levels in
the blood (hypoxemia), especially visible in the lips and extremities.
Question 3
When assessing pupillary reaction, what does PERRLA stand for?
A. Pupils Equal, Responsive, Regular, Light Accommodating
B. Pupils Equal, Round, Reactive to Light and Accommodation
C. Pupil Examination Reveals Regular and Light Activity
D. Pupils Easily Responsive, Reduced Light Activity
1
,Answer: B
Rationale: PERRLA is a common acronym used to assess the pupils for equality, roundness,
reaction to light, and accommodation.
Question 4
When performing a neurological assessment, which of the following indicates an abnormal
Romberg test?
A. The patient stands with minimal swaying
B. The patient can maintain balance with eyes open and closed
C. The patient begins to sway or loses balance with eyes closed
D. The patient is unable to perform the test
Answer: C
Rationale: A positive Romberg test, where the patient sways or falls when their eyes are
closed, suggests a sensory dysfunction affecting balance, such as proprioception or vestibular
impairment.
Question 5
What is the primary technique used to assess bruit over the carotid artery?
A. Percussion
B. Auscultation
C. Inspection
D. Palpation
Answer: B
Rationale: Auscultation is used to listen for a bruit over the carotid artery, which suggests
turbulent blood flow due to narrowing of the artery (atherosclerosis or stenosis).
Question 6
What is the normal range of motion for the shoulder?
A. 90° flexion and 180° abduction
B. 180° flexion and 360° rotation
C. 180° flexion and 90° abduction
D. 45° flexion and 180° abduction
Answer: B
Rationale: The shoulder has a wide range of motion, including 180° flexion and 360° rotation
(circumduction), making it the most mobile joint in the body.
2
, Question 7
What should the nurse assess for when inspecting the patient's skin during a physical exam?
A. Moisture, color, temperature, and texture
B. Pulses and capillary refill
C. Muscle strength and movement
D. Bowel sounds and reflexes
Answer: A
Rationale: Skin inspection includes assessing moisture, color, temperature, and texture to
identify any abnormalities or signs of underlying health issues such as dehydration, infection,
or circulatory problems.
Question 8
When assessing for pitting edema, which scale is used to grade the severity?
A. MRC Scale
B. Glasgow Coma Scale
C. 0 to 4+ scale
D. Apgar Scale
Answer: C
Rationale: Pitting edema is graded on a 0 to 4+ scale, with 0 indicating no edema and 4+
indicating severe edema with deep indentation (8-10 mm).
Question 9
What is an expected finding when assessing the abdomen of a healthy adult?
A. Abdominal distension
B. Visible pulsations
C. Spherical shape
D. Symmetrical and flat contour
Answer: D
Rationale: The healthy adult abdomen typically has a symmetrical, flat, or slightly rounded
contour without visible pulsations or distension.
Question 10
3
