ACTUAL APEA 3P EXAM 2026 COMPLETE WITH
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. When examining the skin, multiple areas of circumscribed elevations of the skin filled
with serous fluid measuring approximately 0.5 cm were noted. These types of lesions could
be seen in:
a. Herpes simplex or varicella
b. Psoriasis
c. Impetigo
d. Cellulitis
Correct answer: a. Herpes simplex or varicella
Explanation: Vesicles are small (<1 cm), fluid-filled elevated lesions. Herpes simplex and
varicella classically produce crops of vesicles on an erythematous base.
2. The principal muscles involved when closing the mouth are innervated by which cranial
nerve?
a. Cranial nerve V (Trigeminal)
b. Cranial nerve VII (Facial)
c. Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
d. Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct answer: a. Cranial nerve V (Trigeminal)
Explanation: The muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids) are innervated by
the mandibular division of CN V.
3. The structure that creates a channel for the vertebral artery is known as the:
a. Transverse foramen
b. Vertebral foramen
c. Intervertebral foramen
d. Foramen magnum
Correct answer: a. Transverse foramen
Explanation: The transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae transmit the vertebral arteries.
4. Which of the following is NOT a complaint of a patient with type 1 diabetes?
a. Polycythemia
b. Polyuria
c. Polydipsia
d. Polyphagia
,Correct answer: a. Polycythemia
Explanation: The classic triad is polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Polycythemia is not a
feature.
5. When suspecting pediculosis capitis, the chief complaint is:
a. Itching
b. Hair loss
c. Fever
d. Neck stiffness
Correct answer: a. Itching
Explanation: Intense scalp pruritus from the bite reaction is the hallmark symptom of head lice.
6. The structure that appears as the large swelling posteriorly on the superior ramus of the
ischium and bears most of the weight in sitting is known as the:
a. Ischial tuberosity
b. Ischial spine
c. Acetabulum
d. Greater trochanter
Correct answer: a. Ischial tuberosity
Explanation: The ischial tuberosities are the bony prominences on which one sits.
7. When percussing the posterior chest, which one of the following techniques would be
omitted?
a. Percuss areas over the scapulae
b. Percuss bilaterally comparing sides
c. Percuss in a ladder-like pattern
d. Percuss from apex to base
Correct answer: a. Percuss areas over the scapulae
Explanation: Bone produces a dull note and should be avoided; percussion is performed in the
interscapular and lateral fields.
8. On examination of the pupils, both are round but the right pupil appears larger than the
left and reacts much slower to light. This condition may be indicative of:
a. A tonic pupil (Adie’s pupil)
b. Horner syndrome
c. Argyll Robertson pupil
d. Complete third-nerve palsy
Correct answer: a. A tonic pupil
Explanation: Adie’s pupil is typically unilateral, larger, and shows slow/poor light reaction.
9. During the type of seizure activity, the patient experiences partial seizures that resemble
tonic-clonic seizures. The patient may recall the aura and unilateral neurologic deficit is
, present during the postictal period. This type of seizure activity is referred to as a:
a. Focal seizure that becomes generalized
b. Absence seizure
c. Myoclonic seizure
d. Atonic seizure
Correct answer: a. Focal seizure that becomes generalized
Explanation: Focal seizures that secondarily generalize can begin with an aura and leave a
postictal focal deficit (Todd’s paralysis).
10. A female patient complains of weakness in both arms when transferring the wet clothes
from the washer and placing them in the dryer. This finding could be suggestive of which
type of weakness pattern?
a. Symmetric (proximal)
b. Distal
c. Asymmetric
d. Unilateral
Correct answer: a. Symmetric
Explanation: Bilateral arm weakness with lifting tasks indicates a proximal, usually symmetric
pattern.
11. To palpate the right ovary when performing the bimanual vaginal exam, the abdominal
hand should be on the right lower quadrant and the pelvic hand needs to be:
a. In the right lateral fornix
b. In the left lateral fornix
c. In the anterior fornix
d. In the posterior fornix
Correct answer: a. In the right lateral fornix
Explanation: The pelvic fingers are placed in the ipsilateral lateral fornix while the abdominal
hand presses toward them.
12. A serious disturbance in a person‟s mental abilities that results in a decreased
awareness of one‟s environment and confused thinking is referred to as:
a. Delirium
b. Dementia
c. Depression
d. Psychosis
Correct answer: a. Delirium
Explanation: Delirium is an acute confusional state with fluctuating attention and awareness.
13. Which of the following screening tests for hearing loss can detect both sensorineural
and conductive hearing loss?
a. Weber test
VERIFIED CORRECT ANSWERS AND
EXPLANATIONS
1. When examining the skin, multiple areas of circumscribed elevations of the skin filled
with serous fluid measuring approximately 0.5 cm were noted. These types of lesions could
be seen in:
a. Herpes simplex or varicella
b. Psoriasis
c. Impetigo
d. Cellulitis
Correct answer: a. Herpes simplex or varicella
Explanation: Vesicles are small (<1 cm), fluid-filled elevated lesions. Herpes simplex and
varicella classically produce crops of vesicles on an erythematous base.
2. The principal muscles involved when closing the mouth are innervated by which cranial
nerve?
a. Cranial nerve V (Trigeminal)
b. Cranial nerve VII (Facial)
c. Cranial nerve IX (Glossopharyngeal)
d. Cranial nerve XII (Hypoglossal)
Correct answer: a. Cranial nerve V (Trigeminal)
Explanation: The muscles of mastication (masseter, temporalis, pterygoids) are innervated by
the mandibular division of CN V.
3. The structure that creates a channel for the vertebral artery is known as the:
a. Transverse foramen
b. Vertebral foramen
c. Intervertebral foramen
d. Foramen magnum
Correct answer: a. Transverse foramen
Explanation: The transverse foramina of the cervical vertebrae transmit the vertebral arteries.
4. Which of the following is NOT a complaint of a patient with type 1 diabetes?
a. Polycythemia
b. Polyuria
c. Polydipsia
d. Polyphagia
,Correct answer: a. Polycythemia
Explanation: The classic triad is polyuria, polydipsia, and polyphagia. Polycythemia is not a
feature.
5. When suspecting pediculosis capitis, the chief complaint is:
a. Itching
b. Hair loss
c. Fever
d. Neck stiffness
Correct answer: a. Itching
Explanation: Intense scalp pruritus from the bite reaction is the hallmark symptom of head lice.
6. The structure that appears as the large swelling posteriorly on the superior ramus of the
ischium and bears most of the weight in sitting is known as the:
a. Ischial tuberosity
b. Ischial spine
c. Acetabulum
d. Greater trochanter
Correct answer: a. Ischial tuberosity
Explanation: The ischial tuberosities are the bony prominences on which one sits.
7. When percussing the posterior chest, which one of the following techniques would be
omitted?
a. Percuss areas over the scapulae
b. Percuss bilaterally comparing sides
c. Percuss in a ladder-like pattern
d. Percuss from apex to base
Correct answer: a. Percuss areas over the scapulae
Explanation: Bone produces a dull note and should be avoided; percussion is performed in the
interscapular and lateral fields.
8. On examination of the pupils, both are round but the right pupil appears larger than the
left and reacts much slower to light. This condition may be indicative of:
a. A tonic pupil (Adie’s pupil)
b. Horner syndrome
c. Argyll Robertson pupil
d. Complete third-nerve palsy
Correct answer: a. A tonic pupil
Explanation: Adie’s pupil is typically unilateral, larger, and shows slow/poor light reaction.
9. During the type of seizure activity, the patient experiences partial seizures that resemble
tonic-clonic seizures. The patient may recall the aura and unilateral neurologic deficit is
, present during the postictal period. This type of seizure activity is referred to as a:
a. Focal seizure that becomes generalized
b. Absence seizure
c. Myoclonic seizure
d. Atonic seizure
Correct answer: a. Focal seizure that becomes generalized
Explanation: Focal seizures that secondarily generalize can begin with an aura and leave a
postictal focal deficit (Todd’s paralysis).
10. A female patient complains of weakness in both arms when transferring the wet clothes
from the washer and placing them in the dryer. This finding could be suggestive of which
type of weakness pattern?
a. Symmetric (proximal)
b. Distal
c. Asymmetric
d. Unilateral
Correct answer: a. Symmetric
Explanation: Bilateral arm weakness with lifting tasks indicates a proximal, usually symmetric
pattern.
11. To palpate the right ovary when performing the bimanual vaginal exam, the abdominal
hand should be on the right lower quadrant and the pelvic hand needs to be:
a. In the right lateral fornix
b. In the left lateral fornix
c. In the anterior fornix
d. In the posterior fornix
Correct answer: a. In the right lateral fornix
Explanation: The pelvic fingers are placed in the ipsilateral lateral fornix while the abdominal
hand presses toward them.
12. A serious disturbance in a person‟s mental abilities that results in a decreased
awareness of one‟s environment and confused thinking is referred to as:
a. Delirium
b. Dementia
c. Depression
d. Psychosis
Correct answer: a. Delirium
Explanation: Delirium is an acute confusional state with fluctuating attention and awareness.
13. Which of the following screening tests for hearing loss can detect both sensorineural
and conductive hearing loss?
a. Weber test
