APEA 3P Exam 2026 | Complete Practice Questions with Detailed
Verified Answers
## Table of Contents
1. Dermatology
2. Infectious Diseases
3. Cardiovascular
4. Pulmonary
5. Neurology
6. Endocrine
7. Gastrointestinal
8. Genitourinary & Reproductive Health
9. Musculoskeletal
10. HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat)
11. General Assessment & Diagnostics
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### Section 1: Dermatology
1. What is the most common type of skin cancer in the USA?
A) Malignant Melanoma
B) Squamous Cell Carcinoma
C) Basal Cell Carcinoma
D) Actinic Keratosis
,Answer: C) Basal Cell Carcinoma
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer. It typically presents as a
smooth, shiny bump that can be pink to pearly white, often found on sun-exposed areas like the
face, neck, and arms .
2. A patient presents with numerous dry, rough, scaly lesions on the forearms and face that are
pink to red. These lesions are slow-growing and do not heal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Basal Cell Carcinoma
B) Actinic Keratosis
C) Squamous Cell Carcinoma
D) Seborrheic Keratosis
Answer: B) Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis is considered a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions
are characterized as dry, round, pink to red, rough-textured patches on sun-exposed skin. The
gold standard for diagnosis is a biopsy .
3. A lesion on a patient's skin is described as soft, round, wart-like, and looks "pasted on." It is
light tan in color and the patient reports it is asymptomatic. This describes:
A) Malignant Melanoma
B) Actinic Keratosis
C) Seborrheic Keratosis
D) Basal Cell Carcinoma
Answer: C) Seborrheic Keratosis
Rationale: Seborrheic keratoses are benign, wart-like growths that are often described as having
a "pasted-on" appearance. They are typically asymptomatic and can range in color from light
tan to black .
, 4. A 16-year-old athlete presents with heel pain. On exam, a verrucous lesion is noted. What is
the most appropriate initial treatment?
A) Excision
B) Cryotherapy
C) Salicylic acid
D) Referral to a specialist
Answer: C) Salicylic acid
Rationale: A verrucous lesion on the heel is a plantar wart. First-line treatment for common
warts in a primary care setting is typically topical salicylic acid .
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### Section 2: Infectious Diseases
5. A patient presents with a fever, nuchal rigidity, and a rapid change in mental status. A
petechial rash is noted. Which condition is at the top of the differential?
A) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
B) Lyme Disease
C) Bacterial Meningitis
D) Tetanus
Answer: C) Bacterial Meningitis
Rationale: The classic triad for bacterial meningitis includes high fever, nuchal rigidity (neck
stiffness), and a change in mental status, often accompanied by a headache. A petechial or
purpuric rash is a concerning sign. This is a medical emergency .
Verified Answers
## Table of Contents
1. Dermatology
2. Infectious Diseases
3. Cardiovascular
4. Pulmonary
5. Neurology
6. Endocrine
7. Gastrointestinal
8. Genitourinary & Reproductive Health
9. Musculoskeletal
10. HEENT (Head, Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat)
11. General Assessment & Diagnostics
---
### Section 1: Dermatology
1. What is the most common type of skin cancer in the USA?
A) Malignant Melanoma
B) Squamous Cell Carcinoma
C) Basal Cell Carcinoma
D) Actinic Keratosis
,Answer: C) Basal Cell Carcinoma
Rationale: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer. It typically presents as a
smooth, shiny bump that can be pink to pearly white, often found on sun-exposed areas like the
face, neck, and arms .
2. A patient presents with numerous dry, rough, scaly lesions on the forearms and face that are
pink to red. These lesions are slow-growing and do not heal. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Basal Cell Carcinoma
B) Actinic Keratosis
C) Squamous Cell Carcinoma
D) Seborrheic Keratosis
Answer: B) Actinic Keratosis
Rationale: Actinic keratosis is considered a precursor to squamous cell carcinoma. These lesions
are characterized as dry, round, pink to red, rough-textured patches on sun-exposed skin. The
gold standard for diagnosis is a biopsy .
3. A lesion on a patient's skin is described as soft, round, wart-like, and looks "pasted on." It is
light tan in color and the patient reports it is asymptomatic. This describes:
A) Malignant Melanoma
B) Actinic Keratosis
C) Seborrheic Keratosis
D) Basal Cell Carcinoma
Answer: C) Seborrheic Keratosis
Rationale: Seborrheic keratoses are benign, wart-like growths that are often described as having
a "pasted-on" appearance. They are typically asymptomatic and can range in color from light
tan to black .
, 4. A 16-year-old athlete presents with heel pain. On exam, a verrucous lesion is noted. What is
the most appropriate initial treatment?
A) Excision
B) Cryotherapy
C) Salicylic acid
D) Referral to a specialist
Answer: C) Salicylic acid
Rationale: A verrucous lesion on the heel is a plantar wart. First-line treatment for common
warts in a primary care setting is typically topical salicylic acid .
---
### Section 2: Infectious Diseases
5. A patient presents with a fever, nuchal rigidity, and a rapid change in mental status. A
petechial rash is noted. Which condition is at the top of the differential?
A) Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever
B) Lyme Disease
C) Bacterial Meningitis
D) Tetanus
Answer: C) Bacterial Meningitis
Rationale: The classic triad for bacterial meningitis includes high fever, nuchal rigidity (neck
stiffness), and a change in mental status, often accompanied by a headache. A petechial or
purpuric rash is a concerning sign. This is a medical emergency .
