APEA Pre-Predictor 2025–2026 | Verified Questions with Detailed Rationales
| 100% Correct & A+ Graded
Q1. A client with congestive heart failure presents with shortness of breath and edema. Which
finding is the priority?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Lung crackles
C. Weight gain
D. Jugular vein distention
Rationale: Pulmonary congestion can lead to respiratory compromise; crackles are prioritized
over peripheral edema.
Q2. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus type 1. The patient is confused,
diaphoretic, and shaky. What is the first action?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Administer insulin
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Call physician
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; blood glucose should be checked and treated
immediately.
Q3. The nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who has saturated a perineal pad in 15 minutes.
The priority intervention is:
A. Monitor vital signs
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Assess for postpartum hemorrhage and call for help
D. Change pad
Rationale: Rapid blood loss may indicate postpartum hemorrhage, which is an emergency.
Q4. A patient with COPD presents with shortness of breath. Which oxygen delivery method is
most appropriate?
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A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
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, B. Nasal cannula at 2–3 L/min
C. Venturi mask at 50%
D. Bag-valve mask
Rationale: COPD patients require controlled oxygen to prevent CO2 retention; low-flow nasal
cannula is safest.
Q5. A client reports severe abdominal pain with absent bowel sounds and vomiting. What is the
priority action?
A. Notify provider immediately (possible bowel obstruction)
B. Encourage oral intake
C. Administer pain medication
D. Document findings
Rationale: Sudden abdominal pain with absent bowel sounds may indicate obstruction or
surgical emergency.
Q6. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin therapy. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Signs of bleeding
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Heparin increases bleeding risk; monitoring for bleeding is essential.
Q7. A patient is admitted with chest pain. ECG shows ST-segment elevation. What is the priority
action?
A. Notify the physician and prepare for immediate intervention
B. Give nitroglycerin only
C. Obtain past medical history
D. Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency; immediate
intervention is required.
Q8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with suspected hypovolemic shock?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Administer oral fluids
C. Initiate IV fluids rapidly
D. Monitor oxygen saturation only
Rationale: Rapid fluid resuscitation is crucial to restore circulating volume.
Q9. A client on a potassium-sparing diuretic should avoid:
A. Salt substitutes
B. Bananas
C. Both A and B
D. Carrots
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics increase risk of hyperkalemia; high-potassium foods and
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salt substitutes should be limited.
EXAMPREPMASTER
| 100% Correct & A+ Graded
Q1. A client with congestive heart failure presents with shortness of breath and edema. Which
finding is the priority?
A. Peripheral edema
B. Lung crackles
C. Weight gain
D. Jugular vein distention
Rationale: Pulmonary congestion can lead to respiratory compromise; crackles are prioritized
over peripheral edema.
Q2. A nurse is caring for a patient with diabetes mellitus type 1. The patient is confused,
diaphoretic, and shaky. What is the first action?
A. Check blood glucose
B. Administer insulin
C. Provide a high-protein snack
D. Call physician
Rationale: Symptoms indicate hypoglycemia; blood glucose should be checked and treated
immediately.
Q3. The nurse is caring for a postpartum patient who has saturated a perineal pad in 15 minutes.
The priority intervention is:
A. Monitor vital signs
B. Encourage fluid intake
C. Assess for postpartum hemorrhage and call for help
D. Change pad
Rationale: Rapid blood loss may indicate postpartum hemorrhage, which is an emergency.
Q4. A patient with COPD presents with shortness of breath. Which oxygen delivery method is
most appropriate?
1
Page
A. Non-rebreather mask at 15 L/min
EXAMPREPMASTER
, B. Nasal cannula at 2–3 L/min
C. Venturi mask at 50%
D. Bag-valve mask
Rationale: COPD patients require controlled oxygen to prevent CO2 retention; low-flow nasal
cannula is safest.
Q5. A client reports severe abdominal pain with absent bowel sounds and vomiting. What is the
priority action?
A. Notify provider immediately (possible bowel obstruction)
B. Encourage oral intake
C. Administer pain medication
D. Document findings
Rationale: Sudden abdominal pain with absent bowel sounds may indicate obstruction or
surgical emergency.
Q6. A nurse is caring for a patient receiving heparin therapy. The nurse should monitor for:
A. Hypokalemia
B. Signs of bleeding
C. Hyperglycemia
D. Hypertension
Rationale: Heparin increases bleeding risk; monitoring for bleeding is essential.
Q7. A patient is admitted with chest pain. ECG shows ST-segment elevation. What is the priority
action?
A. Notify the physician and prepare for immediate intervention
B. Give nitroglycerin only
C. Obtain past medical history
D. Monitor blood pressure
Rationale: ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) is a medical emergency; immediate
intervention is required.
Q8. Which intervention is appropriate for a patient with suspected hypovolemic shock?
A. Encourage ambulation
B. Administer oral fluids
C. Initiate IV fluids rapidly
D. Monitor oxygen saturation only
Rationale: Rapid fluid resuscitation is crucial to restore circulating volume.
Q9. A client on a potassium-sparing diuretic should avoid:
A. Salt substitutes
B. Bananas
C. Both A and B
D. Carrots
Rationale: Potassium-sparing diuretics increase risk of hyperkalemia; high-potassium foods and
2
Page
salt substitutes should be limited.
EXAMPREPMASTER
