1
APEA 3P Exam Test Bank 2025/2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Rationales |
HealthStudyPro
SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Q1–Q5)
Q1. A 62-year-old male presents with fatigue and pallor. Lab results reveal
microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Aplastic anemia
,2
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia typically presents with microcytic,
hypochromic red cells. B12 deficiency is macrocytic; aplastic anemia causes
pancytopenia.
Q2. Which of the following is the pathophysiological hallmark of asthma?
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Loss of surfactant
C. Airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction
D. Pleural thickening
Answer: C
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and
hyperresponsiveness leading to bronchoconstriction.
Q3. In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which physiological
abnormality is most prominent?
,3
A. Reduced contractility
B. Impaired ventricular relaxation
C. Valvular stenosis
D. Tachyarrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: HFpEF is caused by diastolic dysfunction—impaired ventricular
relaxation—while systolic function remains preserved.
Q4. A patient with liver cirrhosis is at risk for which complication due to decreased
albumin production?
A. Polycythemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Ascites
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoalbuminemia lowers oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to leak into
the peritoneal cavity, causing ascites.
, 4
Q5. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with acute renal failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys excrete potassium; acute renal failure leads to potassium
retention, resulting in hyperkalemia.
Q6. Which condition is most associated with elevated troponin levels?
A. Chronic kidney disease
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Hypertension
D. Heart failure with preserved EF
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponin is a cardiac biomarker highly specific to myocardial injury,
particularly myocardial infarction.
APEA 3P Exam Test Bank 2025/2026 | 100
Questions & Answers with Rationales |
HealthStudyPro
SECTION 1: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY (Q1–Q5)
Q1. A 62-year-old male presents with fatigue and pallor. Lab results reveal
microcytic, hypochromic anemia. Which of the following is the most likely cause?
A. Vitamin B12 deficiency
B. Aplastic anemia
,2
C. Iron deficiency anemia
D. Hemolytic anemia
Answer: C
Rationale: Iron deficiency anemia typically presents with microcytic,
hypochromic red cells. B12 deficiency is macrocytic; aplastic anemia causes
pancytopenia.
Q2. Which of the following is the pathophysiological hallmark of asthma?
A. Alveolar destruction
B. Loss of surfactant
C. Airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction
D. Pleural thickening
Answer: C
Rationale: Asthma is characterized by chronic airway inflammation and
hyperresponsiveness leading to bronchoconstriction.
Q3. In heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF), which physiological
abnormality is most prominent?
,3
A. Reduced contractility
B. Impaired ventricular relaxation
C. Valvular stenosis
D. Tachyarrhythmia
Answer: B
Rationale: HFpEF is caused by diastolic dysfunction—impaired ventricular
relaxation—while systolic function remains preserved.
Q4. A patient with liver cirrhosis is at risk for which complication due to decreased
albumin production?
A. Polycythemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Ascites
D. Pulmonary edema
Answer: C
Rationale: Hypoalbuminemia lowers oncotic pressure, allowing fluid to leak into
the peritoneal cavity, causing ascites.
, 4
Q5. Which electrolyte imbalance is commonly associated with acute renal failure?
A. Hypokalemia
B. Hypocalcemia
C. Hyperkalemia
D. Hypernatremia
Answer: C
Rationale: The kidneys excrete potassium; acute renal failure leads to potassium
retention, resulting in hyperkalemia.
Q6. Which condition is most associated with elevated troponin levels?
A. Chronic kidney disease
B. Myocardial infarction
C. Hypertension
D. Heart failure with preserved EF
Answer: B
Rationale: Troponin is a cardiac biomarker highly specific to myocardial injury,
particularly myocardial infarction.
