APEA 3P Exam Predictor Exam 2 Questions and 100%
Correct Answers Best Predictive Exam 2025
Question 1
A 58-year-old male presents with chest pain, which began while he was mowing
the lawn. The pain is described as tightness, radiating to his left arm. His medical
history includes hypertension and hyperlipidemia. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Costochondritis
B. Angina pectoris
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Angina pectoris
Rationale: This patient’s symptoms (chest tightness radiating to the left arm,
exertion-related onset) are classic for angina pectoris. The patient’s risk factors,
such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, also support this diagnosis.
Question 2
A 65-year-old woman presents with sudden onset of severe lower abdominal
pain. She describes the pain as crampy and intermittent, with associated bloating
and nausea. Her last bowel movement was two days ago, and she reports
decreased appetite. On examination, there is abdominal distension and
tenderness in the lower abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Appendicitis
B. Diverticulitis
C. Ovarian torsion
D. Bowel obstruction
Answer: D. Bowel obstruction
Rationale: The crampy abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and lack of recent bowel
movement are indicative of a bowel obstruction. The physical exam findings of
abdominal distension and tenderness also support this diagnosis.
Question 3
A 22-year-old female presents with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections
(UTIs) and reports dysuria, frequency, and urgency. She also complains of low-
grade fever. What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated cystitis in this
patient?
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Nitrofurantoin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Answer: B. Nitrofurantoin
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin is considered first-line therapy for uncomplicated cystitis
due to its effectiveness against common urinary pathogens and low resistance
rates. Ciprofloxacin should be reserved for more complicated cases.
Question 4
,A 45-year-old male with a history of smoking presents with a chronic cough,
shortness of breath, and wheezing. On examination, there are decreased breath
sounds and prolonged expiration. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Rationale: The patient’s history of smoking, chronic cough, shortness of breath,
and physical exam findings of decreased breath sounds and prolonged expiration
are characteristic of COPD, most likely emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
Question 5
A 48-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presents with joint
pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning and improves with movement. She
also reports fatigue and mild fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Gout
C. Rheumatoid arthritis flare
D. Psoriatic arthritis
Answer: C. Rheumatoid arthritis flare
Rationale: Morning stiffness, fatigue, and fever, along with a history of
rheumatoid arthritis, suggest a flare of the condition. The pattern of joint
involvement and inflammation is typical for rheumatoid arthritis.
, Question 6
A 32-year-old male presents with a new onset of headache, blurred vision, and
vomiting. He reports no prior history of headaches. On examination, his blood
pressure is 180/100 mm Hg. What is the most likely cause of his symptoms?
A. Migraine
B. Cluster headache
C. Hypertensive emergency
D. Tension headache
Answer: C. Hypertensive emergency
Rationale: The patient’s elevated blood pressure, new onset of headache, blurred
vision, and vomiting are concerning for hypertensive emergency. Immediate
evaluation and treatment of the blood pressure are necessary.
Question 7
A 60-year-old woman presents with a gradual onset of fatigue, weakness, and
pallor. Her laboratory results show a hemoglobin level of 9 g/dL and a mean
corpuscular volume (MCV) of 110 fL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
C. Thalassemia
D. Anemia of chronic disease
Answer: B. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Rationale: The low hemoglobin level and elevated MCV (macrocytic anemia) are
suggestive of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia, fatigue, and
weakness.
Correct Answers Best Predictive Exam 2025
Question 1
A 58-year-old male presents with chest pain, which began while he was mowing
the lawn. The pain is described as tightness, radiating to his left arm. His medical
history includes hypertension and hyperlipidemia. What is the most likely
diagnosis?
A. Costochondritis
B. Angina pectoris
C. Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
D. Pulmonary embolism
Answer: B. Angina pectoris
Rationale: This patient’s symptoms (chest tightness radiating to the left arm,
exertion-related onset) are classic for angina pectoris. The patient’s risk factors,
such as hypertension and hyperlipidemia, also support this diagnosis.
Question 2
A 65-year-old woman presents with sudden onset of severe lower abdominal
pain. She describes the pain as crampy and intermittent, with associated bloating
and nausea. Her last bowel movement was two days ago, and she reports
decreased appetite. On examination, there is abdominal distension and
tenderness in the lower abdomen. What is the most likely diagnosis?
,A. Appendicitis
B. Diverticulitis
C. Ovarian torsion
D. Bowel obstruction
Answer: D. Bowel obstruction
Rationale: The crampy abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, and lack of recent bowel
movement are indicative of a bowel obstruction. The physical exam findings of
abdominal distension and tenderness also support this diagnosis.
Question 3
A 22-year-old female presents with a history of recurrent urinary tract infections
(UTIs) and reports dysuria, frequency, and urgency. She also complains of low-
grade fever. What is the first-line treatment for uncomplicated cystitis in this
patient?
A. Ciprofloxacin
B. Nitrofurantoin
C. Amoxicillin
D. Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole
Answer: B. Nitrofurantoin
Rationale: Nitrofurantoin is considered first-line therapy for uncomplicated cystitis
due to its effectiveness against common urinary pathogens and low resistance
rates. Ciprofloxacin should be reserved for more complicated cases.
Question 4
,A 45-year-old male with a history of smoking presents with a chronic cough,
shortness of breath, and wheezing. On examination, there are decreased breath
sounds and prolonged expiration. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Asthma
B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
C. Pneumonia
D. Pulmonary fibrosis
Answer: B. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
Rationale: The patient’s history of smoking, chronic cough, shortness of breath,
and physical exam findings of decreased breath sounds and prolonged expiration
are characteristic of COPD, most likely emphysema or chronic bronchitis.
Question 5
A 48-year-old woman with a history of rheumatoid arthritis presents with joint
pain and stiffness that is worse in the morning and improves with movement. She
also reports fatigue and mild fever. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Osteoarthritis
B. Gout
C. Rheumatoid arthritis flare
D. Psoriatic arthritis
Answer: C. Rheumatoid arthritis flare
Rationale: Morning stiffness, fatigue, and fever, along with a history of
rheumatoid arthritis, suggest a flare of the condition. The pattern of joint
involvement and inflammation is typical for rheumatoid arthritis.
, Question 6
A 32-year-old male presents with a new onset of headache, blurred vision, and
vomiting. He reports no prior history of headaches. On examination, his blood
pressure is 180/100 mm Hg. What is the most likely cause of his symptoms?
A. Migraine
B. Cluster headache
C. Hypertensive emergency
D. Tension headache
Answer: C. Hypertensive emergency
Rationale: The patient’s elevated blood pressure, new onset of headache, blurred
vision, and vomiting are concerning for hypertensive emergency. Immediate
evaluation and treatment of the blood pressure are necessary.
Question 7
A 60-year-old woman presents with a gradual onset of fatigue, weakness, and
pallor. Her laboratory results show a hemoglobin level of 9 g/dL and a mean
corpuscular volume (MCV) of 110 fL. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Iron-deficiency anemia
B. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
C. Thalassemia
D. Anemia of chronic disease
Answer: B. Vitamin B12 deficiency anemia
Rationale: The low hemoglobin level and elevated MCV (macrocytic anemia) are
suggestive of vitamin B12 deficiency, which can cause anemia, fatigue, and
weakness.
