1|Page
3P APEA EXAM Questions with 100% Correct
Answers | Verified | Updated (Actual Exam)
2025\2026 LATEST VERSION!!
APEA 3P – Practice Exam:
1–10: Adult Medical-Surgical
1. A 72-year-old post-op patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Give IV fluids
B. Administer oxygen
C. Reposition in bed
D. Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea suggest pulmonary embolism or hypoxia. Oxygen
is the priority.
2. Which lab value indicates early kidney injury?
A. BUN 15 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.0 mg/dL
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine signals impaired kidney function.
3. A patient with COPD uses accessory muscles and has SpO₂ 88%. What is the first nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Administer oxygen
C. Give oral fluids
D. Call respiratory therapy
Rationale: Hypoxia requires immediate oxygen administration.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
4. Which assessment finding suggests early sepsis?
A. Temperature 101°F
B. BP 120/80
C. HR 72
D. Urine output 50 mL/hr
Rationale: Fever is an early sign of infection/sepsis.
5. A patient with hypokalemia is at risk for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperactivity
C. Hypertension
D. Tachypnea
Rationale: Low potassium affects cardiac conduction, leading to arrhythmias.
6. A patient on warfarin reports black stools. The nurse should:
A. Advise increased fluids
B. Notify provider
C. Encourage mobility
D. Check pulse
Rationale: Black stools indicate GI bleeding, a serious side effect of anticoagulation.
7. Which is a priority for a patient with chest tube post-thoracotomy?
A. Assess drainage and air leaks
B. Give pain medication
C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Measure vitals
Rationale: Monitoring drainage ensures lung re-expansion and prevents complications.
8. Which patient requires fall precautions?
A. Post-op with PCA and opioids
B. Young adult with appendectomy
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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C. Stable outpatient
D. Patient on antibiotics
Rationale: Opioids increase fall risk due to sedation.
9. Early signs of hypoglycemia include:
A. Tremors
B. Bradycardia
C. Warm skin
D. Polyuria
Rationale: Tremors, sweating, and anxiety indicate low blood glucose.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness and arrhythmias?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Rationale: High potassium directly affects cardiac and neuromuscular function.
11–20: Maternal-Newborn
11. A postpartum client 6 hours after delivery has BP 90/60, pulse 110, and saturated pad. The
priority action is:
A. Massage fundus
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Encourage fluids
D. Notify provider
Rationale: These signs indicate postpartum hemorrhage; fundal massage is immediate
priority.
12. A neonate has HR 90 bpm, shallow respirations, and cyanotic extremities. First action:
A. Suction airway
B. Stimulate and provide warmth
2026 2027 GRADED A+
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C. Call social work
D. Administer feeding
Rationale: Neonates require immediate airway and circulation support.
13. A pregnant client with severe preeclampsia has BP 180/110 and headache. Nursing priority:
A. Administer magnesium sulfate
B. Encourage rest
C. Monitor diet
D. Check fetal heart rate
Rationale: High BP + symptoms requires anticonvulsant therapy to prevent eclampsia.
14. Lochia that is bright red and saturating pads rapidly in a postpartum patient indicates:
Answer: Hemorrhage
Rationale: Bright red, heavy bleeding post-delivery is abnormal.
15. A woman at 36 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. Suspected cause:
Answer: Placenta previa
Rationale: Painless bleeding late in pregnancy suggests placenta previa, not abruptio placentae.
16. A newborn’s APGAR at 1 min: 6. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue routine care
B. Provide stimulation and O₂
C. Place in incubator
D. Notify social services
Rationale: APGAR 6 indicates mild distress, requiring stimulation and oxygen.
17. A patient reports fetal movement decreased in past 24 hours. Nurse’s priority:
A. Document
B. Assess fetal heart rate
C. Reassure patient
D. Encourage exercise
2026 2027 GRADED A+
3P APEA EXAM Questions with 100% Correct
Answers | Verified | Updated (Actual Exam)
2025\2026 LATEST VERSION!!
APEA 3P – Practice Exam:
1–10: Adult Medical-Surgical
1. A 72-year-old post-op patient develops sudden shortness of breath and chest pain. What is the
priority nursing action?
A. Give IV fluids
B. Administer oxygen
C. Reposition in bed
D. Monitor vital signs
Rationale: Sudden chest pain and dyspnea suggest pulmonary embolism or hypoxia. Oxygen
is the priority.
2. Which lab value indicates early kidney injury?
A. BUN 15 mg/dL
B. Creatinine 2.0 mg/dL
C. Sodium 138 mEq/L
D. Hemoglobin 13 g/dL
Rationale: Elevated creatinine signals impaired kidney function.
3. A patient with COPD uses accessory muscles and has SpO₂ 88%. What is the first nursing
intervention?
A. Encourage deep breathing
B. Administer oxygen
C. Give oral fluids
D. Call respiratory therapy
Rationale: Hypoxia requires immediate oxygen administration.
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,2|Page
4. Which assessment finding suggests early sepsis?
A. Temperature 101°F
B. BP 120/80
C. HR 72
D. Urine output 50 mL/hr
Rationale: Fever is an early sign of infection/sepsis.
5. A patient with hypokalemia is at risk for:
A. Bradycardia
B. Hyperactivity
C. Hypertension
D. Tachypnea
Rationale: Low potassium affects cardiac conduction, leading to arrhythmias.
6. A patient on warfarin reports black stools. The nurse should:
A. Advise increased fluids
B. Notify provider
C. Encourage mobility
D. Check pulse
Rationale: Black stools indicate GI bleeding, a serious side effect of anticoagulation.
7. Which is a priority for a patient with chest tube post-thoracotomy?
A. Assess drainage and air leaks
B. Give pain medication
C. Encourage deep breathing
D. Measure vitals
Rationale: Monitoring drainage ensures lung re-expansion and prevents complications.
8. Which patient requires fall precautions?
A. Post-op with PCA and opioids
B. Young adult with appendectomy
2026 2027 GRADED A+
,3|Page
C. Stable outpatient
D. Patient on antibiotics
Rationale: Opioids increase fall risk due to sedation.
9. Early signs of hypoglycemia include:
A. Tremors
B. Bradycardia
C. Warm skin
D. Polyuria
Rationale: Tremors, sweating, and anxiety indicate low blood glucose.
10. Which electrolyte imbalance can cause muscle weakness and arrhythmias?
A. Hyperkalemia
B. Hypernatremia
C. Hypocalcemia
D. Hypophosphatemia
Rationale: High potassium directly affects cardiac and neuromuscular function.
11–20: Maternal-Newborn
11. A postpartum client 6 hours after delivery has BP 90/60, pulse 110, and saturated pad. The
priority action is:
A. Massage fundus
B. Administer acetaminophen
C. Encourage fluids
D. Notify provider
Rationale: These signs indicate postpartum hemorrhage; fundal massage is immediate
priority.
12. A neonate has HR 90 bpm, shallow respirations, and cyanotic extremities. First action:
A. Suction airway
B. Stimulate and provide warmth
2026 2027 GRADED A+
, 4|Page
C. Call social work
D. Administer feeding
Rationale: Neonates require immediate airway and circulation support.
13. A pregnant client with severe preeclampsia has BP 180/110 and headache. Nursing priority:
A. Administer magnesium sulfate
B. Encourage rest
C. Monitor diet
D. Check fetal heart rate
Rationale: High BP + symptoms requires anticonvulsant therapy to prevent eclampsia.
14. Lochia that is bright red and saturating pads rapidly in a postpartum patient indicates:
Answer: Hemorrhage
Rationale: Bright red, heavy bleeding post-delivery is abnormal.
15. A woman at 36 weeks presents with painless vaginal bleeding. Suspected cause:
Answer: Placenta previa
Rationale: Painless bleeding late in pregnancy suggests placenta previa, not abruptio placentae.
16. A newborn’s APGAR at 1 min: 6. What should the nurse do?
A. Continue routine care
B. Provide stimulation and O₂
C. Place in incubator
D. Notify social services
Rationale: APGAR 6 indicates mild distress, requiring stimulation and oxygen.
17. A patient reports fetal movement decreased in past 24 hours. Nurse’s priority:
A. Document
B. Assess fetal heart rate
C. Reassure patient
D. Encourage exercise
2026 2027 GRADED A+
