APEA 3P EXAM STUDY GUIDE
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026
QUESTIONActinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard - answer-
Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
QUESTIONActinic keratosis treatment gold standard - answer-
small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication
Causes skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
Most common type of skin cancer in USA - answer-Skin cancer
QUESTIONMost common type of skin cancer - answer-basal cell
carcinoma
QUESTIONbasal cell carcinoma symptoms - answer-Appearance
varies; smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly white
,QUESTIONBasal cell carcinoma common locations - answer-
cheeks, nose, face, neck, arms, back
QUESTIONbasal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard -
answer-biopsy. if not an option, refer to derm
QUESTIONActinic keratosis - answer-Precursor to squamous cell
carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
QUESTIONsquamous cell cancer - answer-chronic red scaly
rough textured lesion w/ irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
QUESTIONSquamous cell carcinoma common locations -
answer-rims of ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
QUESTIONprecursor lesion to squamous cell cancer - answer-
actinic keratosis
QUESTIONsquamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by? - answer-
biopsy gold standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to
dermatology .
QUESTIONRisk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-
melanoma) - answer-Blistering sunburn as a child, history of
sunburns, light skin, chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning
beds), moles, family hx for skin cancer
QUESTIONMelanoma symptoms (ABCDE) - answer-asymmetry
(shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
,diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
QUESTIONAcral lengtiginous melanoma - answer-Most common
type of melanoma in dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
QUESTIONseborrheic keratosis - answer-soft, round, wart-like
growth that is light tan to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
QUESTIONErythema Migrans (early Lyme disease): DX -
answer-Dx: • First step is enzyme immunoassay (EIA) also knows
as ELISA if negative no further testing needed. If positive confirm
with Western Blot test (aka indirect immunofluorescence assay
(IFA) for Borrelia Burgdorferi
1. Enzyme immunoassay
2. western blot test (immunoflurorescence assay/ IFA)
Exam Tip: E before I
Will have increased ESR
QUESTIONErythema Migrans (early Lyme disease): TX - answer-
Doxycycline is always first line for all ages
100 mg BID x 10-21 days
Remove ticks by grasping with tweezers or forceps close to the
skin and pulling gently with steady pressure. After removing the
tick, clean area with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and
water. Dispose of the tick by flushing it into the toilet
, QUESTIONTick repellant skin use - answer-DEET
QUESTIONTick repellant clothing use - answer-Permethrin
QUESTIONBrown Recluse Spider Bite: SX - answer-• Fever,
chills • Nausea and Vomiting • Located in the arms, upper legs, or
the trunk • Bitten area becomes swollen, red, and tender, or can
be painless • Blisters appear within 24-48 hours • Necrotic in
center, which kills the tissue
**can be painless
QUESTIONBrown Recluse Spider Bite treatment - answer-
Treatment: • Ice packs to wound as the cold inactivates the toxin •
Treat like cellulitis of the skin • Antibiotic ointment at first and
watch
QUESTIONSkin lesions - answer-primary skin lesions
Macule Vesicle Papule MVP Size: <1 CM
QUESTIONMacule - answer-Flat, nonpalpable, but visually
distinct areas on the skin surface with color different from the
person's normal skin; less than 1 cm
FRECKLE
QUESTIONVesicle - answer-elevated, raised lesion filled with
serous fluid (herpetic lesions)
QUESTIONPapule - answer-palpable solid lesion (acne, moles)
QUESTIONprimary skin lesions >1cm in size - answer-Nodule
Plaque
Bullae (Blister)
Pustule
Wheal
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
ANSWERS 2026
QUESTIONActinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard - answer-
Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
QUESTIONActinic keratosis treatment gold standard - answer-
small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication
Causes skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
Most common type of skin cancer in USA - answer-Skin cancer
QUESTIONMost common type of skin cancer - answer-basal cell
carcinoma
QUESTIONbasal cell carcinoma symptoms - answer-Appearance
varies; smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly white
,QUESTIONBasal cell carcinoma common locations - answer-
cheeks, nose, face, neck, arms, back
QUESTIONbasal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard -
answer-biopsy. if not an option, refer to derm
QUESTIONActinic keratosis - answer-Precursor to squamous cell
carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
QUESTIONsquamous cell cancer - answer-chronic red scaly
rough textured lesion w/ irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
QUESTIONSquamous cell carcinoma common locations -
answer-rims of ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
QUESTIONprecursor lesion to squamous cell cancer - answer-
actinic keratosis
QUESTIONsquamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by? - answer-
biopsy gold standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to
dermatology .
QUESTIONRisk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-
melanoma) - answer-Blistering sunburn as a child, history of
sunburns, light skin, chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning
beds), moles, family hx for skin cancer
QUESTIONMelanoma symptoms (ABCDE) - answer-asymmetry
(shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
,diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
QUESTIONAcral lengtiginous melanoma - answer-Most common
type of melanoma in dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
QUESTIONseborrheic keratosis - answer-soft, round, wart-like
growth that is light tan to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
QUESTIONErythema Migrans (early Lyme disease): DX -
answer-Dx: • First step is enzyme immunoassay (EIA) also knows
as ELISA if negative no further testing needed. If positive confirm
with Western Blot test (aka indirect immunofluorescence assay
(IFA) for Borrelia Burgdorferi
1. Enzyme immunoassay
2. western blot test (immunoflurorescence assay/ IFA)
Exam Tip: E before I
Will have increased ESR
QUESTIONErythema Migrans (early Lyme disease): TX - answer-
Doxycycline is always first line for all ages
100 mg BID x 10-21 days
Remove ticks by grasping with tweezers or forceps close to the
skin and pulling gently with steady pressure. After removing the
tick, clean area with rubbing alcohol, iodine scrub, or soap and
water. Dispose of the tick by flushing it into the toilet
, QUESTIONTick repellant skin use - answer-DEET
QUESTIONTick repellant clothing use - answer-Permethrin
QUESTIONBrown Recluse Spider Bite: SX - answer-• Fever,
chills • Nausea and Vomiting • Located in the arms, upper legs, or
the trunk • Bitten area becomes swollen, red, and tender, or can
be painless • Blisters appear within 24-48 hours • Necrotic in
center, which kills the tissue
**can be painless
QUESTIONBrown Recluse Spider Bite treatment - answer-
Treatment: • Ice packs to wound as the cold inactivates the toxin •
Treat like cellulitis of the skin • Antibiotic ointment at first and
watch
QUESTIONSkin lesions - answer-primary skin lesions
Macule Vesicle Papule MVP Size: <1 CM
QUESTIONMacule - answer-Flat, nonpalpable, but visually
distinct areas on the skin surface with color different from the
person's normal skin; less than 1 cm
FRECKLE
QUESTIONVesicle - answer-elevated, raised lesion filled with
serous fluid (herpetic lesions)
QUESTIONPapule - answer-palpable solid lesion (acne, moles)
QUESTIONprimary skin lesions >1cm in size - answer-Nodule
Plaque
Bullae (Blister)
Pustule
Wheal
