APEA EXAM 2026/ 2027 – WOMEN’S HEALTH TEST
BANK (ALL ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATION)
APEA EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1–10 (LONG • MOST TESTED • VERY DIFFICULT)
QUESTION 1 — Hypertension Management (EXTREMELY TESTED)
A 56-year-old African American male presents for follow-up. BP readings over three visits are
152/94, 148/92, and 150/96 mmHg. He has no diabetes, no CKD, and normal electrolytes. BMI
is 31 kg/m².
What is the BEST initial pharmacologic therapy?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Thiazide diuretic
C. Beta-blocker
D. ARB
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
APEA follows JNC/ACC-AHA guidance. In African American patients without CKD or diabetes,
thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers are first-line.
ACE inhibitors are less effective as monotherapy in this population.
QUESTION 2 — Diabetes Diagnosis (COMMON TRAP)
A 44-year-old woman has the following labs:
• Fasting glucose: 118 mg/dL
, • HbA1c: 6.6%
• Random glucose: 172 mg/dL
She is asymptomatic.
What is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Diagnose diabetes
B. Diagnose prediabetes
C. Repeat HbA1c for confirmation
D. Start metformin immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Diagnosis of diabetes requires two abnormal results unless symptoms are present.
HbA1c ≥6.5% must be confirmed on repeat testing.
QUESTION 3 — Chest Pain Evaluation (VERY HIGH-YIELD)
A 62-year-old man presents with substernal chest pressure radiating to the jaw, associated with
diaphoresis and nausea. Pain started 45 minutes ago.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
A. Order troponin level
B. Administer aspirin
C. Obtain chest X-ray
D. Give nitroglycerin SL
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Aspirin is given immediately in suspected ACS unless contraindicated.
Do NOT delay aspirin for labs or imaging.
QUESTION 4 — COPD Management (APEA FAVORITE)
A 68-year-old smoker with COPD presents with increased dyspnea and sputum purulence. He is
afebrile. O₂ sat is 90% on room air.
What is the BEST outpatient treatment?
, A. Short-acting beta agonist only
B. Oral corticosteroids
C. Antibiotics + bronchodilator
D. Oxygen therapy
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
COPD exacerbation criteria:
• Increased dyspnea
• Increased sputum volume
• Increased sputum purulence
Purulence present → antibiotics indicated.
QUESTION 5 — Thyroid Disorder (COMMONLY MISSED)
A 32-year-old woman presents with weight loss, heat intolerance, tremor, and palpitations.
Labs show:
• TSH: <0.01 mIU/L
• Free T4: elevated
What is the BEST initial treatment?
A. Methimazole
B. Propranolol
C. Radioactive iodine
D. Levothyroxine
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Initial management of symptomatic hyperthyroidism includes beta-blockers for symptom
control.
Definitive therapy comes later.
QUESTION 6 — Pediatric Fever (VERY TESTED)
A 3-month-old infant presents with fever of 38.9°C (102°F). He appears ill and irritable.
What is the MOST appropriate management?
BANK (ALL ANSWERS WITH EXPLANATION)
APEA EXAM – PRACTICE QUESTIONS
QUESTIONS 1–10 (LONG • MOST TESTED • VERY DIFFICULT)
QUESTION 1 — Hypertension Management (EXTREMELY TESTED)
A 56-year-old African American male presents for follow-up. BP readings over three visits are
152/94, 148/92, and 150/96 mmHg. He has no diabetes, no CKD, and normal electrolytes. BMI
is 31 kg/m².
What is the BEST initial pharmacologic therapy?
A. ACE inhibitor
B. Thiazide diuretic
C. Beta-blocker
D. ARB
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
APEA follows JNC/ACC-AHA guidance. In African American patients without CKD or diabetes,
thiazide diuretics or calcium channel blockers are first-line.
ACE inhibitors are less effective as monotherapy in this population.
QUESTION 2 — Diabetes Diagnosis (COMMON TRAP)
A 44-year-old woman has the following labs:
• Fasting glucose: 118 mg/dL
, • HbA1c: 6.6%
• Random glucose: 172 mg/dL
She is asymptomatic.
What is the MOST appropriate next step?
A. Diagnose diabetes
B. Diagnose prediabetes
C. Repeat HbA1c for confirmation
D. Start metformin immediately
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
Diagnosis of diabetes requires two abnormal results unless symptoms are present.
HbA1c ≥6.5% must be confirmed on repeat testing.
QUESTION 3 — Chest Pain Evaluation (VERY HIGH-YIELD)
A 62-year-old man presents with substernal chest pressure radiating to the jaw, associated with
diaphoresis and nausea. Pain started 45 minutes ago.
What is the MOST appropriate immediate action?
A. Order troponin level
B. Administer aspirin
C. Obtain chest X-ray
D. Give nitroglycerin SL
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Aspirin is given immediately in suspected ACS unless contraindicated.
Do NOT delay aspirin for labs or imaging.
QUESTION 4 — COPD Management (APEA FAVORITE)
A 68-year-old smoker with COPD presents with increased dyspnea and sputum purulence. He is
afebrile. O₂ sat is 90% on room air.
What is the BEST outpatient treatment?
, A. Short-acting beta agonist only
B. Oral corticosteroids
C. Antibiotics + bronchodilator
D. Oxygen therapy
✅ Correct Answer: C
Explanation:
COPD exacerbation criteria:
• Increased dyspnea
• Increased sputum volume
• Increased sputum purulence
Purulence present → antibiotics indicated.
QUESTION 5 — Thyroid Disorder (COMMONLY MISSED)
A 32-year-old woman presents with weight loss, heat intolerance, tremor, and palpitations.
Labs show:
• TSH: <0.01 mIU/L
• Free T4: elevated
What is the BEST initial treatment?
A. Methimazole
B. Propranolol
C. Radioactive iodine
D. Levothyroxine
✅ Correct Answer: B
Explanation:
Initial management of symptomatic hyperthyroidism includes beta-blockers for symptom
control.
Definitive therapy comes later.
QUESTION 6 — Pediatric Fever (VERY TESTED)
A 3-month-old infant presents with fever of 38.9°C (102°F). He appears ill and irritable.
What is the MOST appropriate management?
