APEA Exit Exam QBank | Latest Update 2026/2027 | 200 Questions
and Verified Answers | Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. A 50yearold male experiences difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. This condition is MOST
likely a result of:
A) Obstructive sleep apnea
B) Cardiovascular disease
C) An endocrine disorder
D) Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Answer: B) Cardiovascular disease
Explanation: Erectile dysfunction is most commonly a vascular issue, often an early indicator of
cardiovascular disease.
2. A 40yearold patient is suspected of having a thyroid nodule. Initial evaluation begins with ordering
a(n):
A) CT scan and a thyroidstimulating hormone level
B) Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroid ultrasound
C) Thyroid panel and thyroid scintigraphy
D) Referral to a surgeon for fineneedle biopsy
Answer: B) Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroid ultrasound
Explanation: Initial evaluation of a suspected thyroid nodule begins with TSH level and thyroid
ultrasound.
,3. A child complains of "hurting a lot" when swallowing and states that his "throat feels full." His sore
throat started 4 days ago. He exhibits hyperextension of the neck. Examination reveals asymmetrical
swelling of the tonsils. His uvula is deviated to the left. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Peritonsillar abscess
B) Laryngotracheobronchitis
C) Foreign body aspiration
D) Epiglottitis
Answer: A) Peritonsillar abscess
Explanation: Peritonsillar abscess presents with severe sore throat, fever, "hot potato" voice, trismus,
asymmetrical tonsillar swelling, and uvula deviation away from the abscess.
4. A 65yearold female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back. Her
blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg in the right arm and 110/70 mmHg in the left arm. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Aortic dissection
Explanation: Aortic dissection classically presents with sudden, severe, tearing chest pain radiating to
the back, with blood pressure differential between arms.
,5. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has a hemoglobin A1c of 8.5%. Which medication is MOST
appropriate to add to metformin therapy?
A) Insulin glargine
B) Sulfonylurea
C) DPP4 inhibitor
D) SGLT2 inhibitor
Answer: D) SGLT2 inhibitor
Explanation: SGLT2 inhibitors are preferred addon therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease or
chronic kidney disease. They provide glycemic control and cardiovascular/renal benefits.
6. A 28yearold female presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation. Laboratory
findings show an elevated TSH and low free T4. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Hyperthyroidism
B) Hypothyroidism
C) Thyroiditis
D) Pituitary adenoma
Answer: B) Hypothyroidism
Explanation: Elevated TSH with low free T4 indicates primary hypothyroidism. Symptoms include
fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation.
7. A 55yearold male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with chest pain that
occurs with exertion and resolves with rest. This is most consistent with:
, A) Stable angina
B) Unstable angina
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Pericarditis
Answer: A) Stable angina
Explanation: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs with exertion and resolves with rest
or nitroglycerin.
8. A 72yearold female presents with acute onset of right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and
fever. CT scan reveals a thickened appendix. What is the most appropriate management?
A) Oral antibiotics and outpatient followup
B) Immediate surgical consultation
C) Observation with serial abdominal exams
D) CTguided drainage
Answer: B) Immediate surgical consultation
Explanation: Acute appendicitis requires immediate surgical consultation for appendectomy.
9. A 45yearold male with a history of alcohol use disorder presents with confusion, ataxia, and
ophthalmoplegia. What vitamin deficiency is most likely?
A) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
and Verified Answers | Complete Q&A Guide | A+ Graded
1. A 50yearold male experiences difficulty achieving and maintaining an erection. This condition is MOST
likely a result of:
A) Obstructive sleep apnea
B) Cardiovascular disease
C) An endocrine disorder
D) Benign prostatic hypertrophy
Answer: B) Cardiovascular disease
Explanation: Erectile dysfunction is most commonly a vascular issue, often an early indicator of
cardiovascular disease.
2. A 40yearold patient is suspected of having a thyroid nodule. Initial evaluation begins with ordering
a(n):
A) CT scan and a thyroidstimulating hormone level
B) Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroid ultrasound
C) Thyroid panel and thyroid scintigraphy
D) Referral to a surgeon for fineneedle biopsy
Answer: B) Thyroidstimulating hormone (TSH) level and thyroid ultrasound
Explanation: Initial evaluation of a suspected thyroid nodule begins with TSH level and thyroid
ultrasound.
,3. A child complains of "hurting a lot" when swallowing and states that his "throat feels full." His sore
throat started 4 days ago. He exhibits hyperextension of the neck. Examination reveals asymmetrical
swelling of the tonsils. His uvula is deviated to the left. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Peritonsillar abscess
B) Laryngotracheobronchitis
C) Foreign body aspiration
D) Epiglottitis
Answer: A) Peritonsillar abscess
Explanation: Peritonsillar abscess presents with severe sore throat, fever, "hot potato" voice, trismus,
asymmetrical tonsillar swelling, and uvula deviation away from the abscess.
4. A 65yearold female presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back. Her
blood pressure is 160/90 mmHg in the right arm and 110/70 mmHg in the left arm. What is the most
likely diagnosis?
A) Myocardial infarction
B) Pulmonary embolism
C) Aortic dissection
D) Pericarditis
Answer: C) Aortic dissection
Explanation: Aortic dissection classically presents with sudden, severe, tearing chest pain radiating to
the back, with blood pressure differential between arms.
,5. A patient with type 2 diabetes mellitus has a hemoglobin A1c of 8.5%. Which medication is MOST
appropriate to add to metformin therapy?
A) Insulin glargine
B) Sulfonylurea
C) DPP4 inhibitor
D) SGLT2 inhibitor
Answer: D) SGLT2 inhibitor
Explanation: SGLT2 inhibitors are preferred addon therapy for patients with cardiovascular disease or
chronic kidney disease. They provide glycemic control and cardiovascular/renal benefits.
6. A 28yearold female presents with fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation. Laboratory
findings show an elevated TSH and low free T4. Which of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Hyperthyroidism
B) Hypothyroidism
C) Thyroiditis
D) Pituitary adenoma
Answer: B) Hypothyroidism
Explanation: Elevated TSH with low free T4 indicates primary hypothyroidism. Symptoms include
fatigue, weight gain, cold intolerance, and constipation.
7. A 55yearold male with a history of hypertension and hyperlipidemia presents with chest pain that
occurs with exertion and resolves with rest. This is most consistent with:
, A) Stable angina
B) Unstable angina
C) Myocardial infarction
D) Pericarditis
Answer: A) Stable angina
Explanation: Stable angina is characterized by chest pain that occurs with exertion and resolves with rest
or nitroglycerin.
8. A 72yearold female presents with acute onset of right lower quadrant abdominal pain, nausea, and
fever. CT scan reveals a thickened appendix. What is the most appropriate management?
A) Oral antibiotics and outpatient followup
B) Immediate surgical consultation
C) Observation with serial abdominal exams
D) CTguided drainage
Answer: B) Immediate surgical consultation
Explanation: Acute appendicitis requires immediate surgical consultation for appendectomy.
9. A 45yearold male with a history of alcohol use disorder presents with confusion, ataxia, and
ophthalmoplegia. What vitamin deficiency is most likely?
A) Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
B) Vitamin B12
C) Vitamin C
