NEWEST APEA 3P EXAM QUESTIONS AND CORRECT
DETAILED ANSWERS A NEW UPDATED VERSION LATEST
2026-2027/ APEA 3P EXAM (% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ BRAND NEW!!!!!
1. A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with acute onset of severe left lower
quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and constipation. On examination, there is localized tenderness
and a palpable sausage-shaped mass. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Gastroenteritis
B. Small bowel obstruction
C. Diverticulitis with abscess
D. Irritable bowel syndrome
Correct answer: C. Diverticulitis with abscess
2. A 55-year-old female reports progressive dyspnea on exertion and a dry cough for 6 months.
She has bilateral fine, late inspiratory crackles at the lung bases. Pulse oximetry is 91% on room
air. Which diagnostic test is most specific for the suspected condition?
A. Chest X-ray
B. High-resolution CT scan
C. Spirometry
D. Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)
Correct answer: B. High-resolution CT scan
3. A 45-year-old male presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back.
Blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 110/70 in the left arm. What is the immediate next
step?
A. Administer thrombolytics
B. Obtain a chest X-ray
C. Emergent CT angiography of the chest
D. Start IV nitroglycerin drip
Correct answer: C. Emergent CT angiography of the chest
,4. A 32-year-old pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation complains of painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding that started suddenly 2 hours ago. Vital signs are normal. Fetal heart rate is reassuring.
What is the most appropriate next step?
A. Digital cervical examination
B. Admit for observation and ultrasound
C. Perform a speculum examination only
D. Send home with pelvic rest instructions
Correct answer: B. Admit for observation and ultrasound
5. A 68-year-old with diabetes and chronic kidney disease stage 3 presents with fatigue, loss of
appetite, and a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. ECG shows peaked T waves. Which intervention
should be administered first?
A. Oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. IV calcium gluconate
C. IV furosemide
D. IV insulin with glucose
Correct answer: B. IV calcium gluconate
6. A 5-year-old child presents with a sore throat, fever, and a sandpaper-like rash on the trunk and
flexural areas. The pharynx is erythematous with tonsillar exudate. What is the most appropriate
treatment?
A. Supportive care with fluids and rest
B. Oral penicillin V for 10 days
C. Oral acyclovir
D. Oral azithromycin for 5 days
Correct answer: B. Oral penicillin V for 10 days
7. A 50-year-old male with a 30-pack-year smoking history presents with hemoptysis, weight loss,
and a new cough. Chest X-ray shows a right hilar mass. What is the most appropriate next step?
A. CT chest with contrast
B. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
C. PET scan
D. Sputum cytology
Correct answer: B. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
8. A 75-year-old female on hydrochlorothiazide presents with confusion, muscle weakness, and
nausea. Lab results: sodium 118 mEq/L, potassium 2.9 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate
initial management?
A. Oral salt tablets
, B. Hypertonic saline infusion
C. Fluid restriction
D. IV potassium replacement only
Correct answer: B. Hypertonic saline infusion
9. A 22-year-old male presents with sudden-onset severe right testicular pain, nausea, and
vomiting. The testis is elevated and tender, with an absent cremasteric reflex. What is the
priority?
A. Scrotal ultrasound
B. Emergency surgical exploration
C. Urinalysis and antibiotics
D. Pain management and observation
Correct answer: B. Emergency surgical exploration
10.A 60-year-old with heart failure presents with worsening dyspnea, orthopnea, and a 4-kg weight
gain over 3 days. Jugular venous pressure is elevated, and crackles are heard up to the mid-lung
fields. What is the most appropriate initial pharmacologic intervention?
A. Oral metoprolol
B. IV furosemide
C. Oral spironolactone
D. IV dopamine
Correct answer: B. IV furosemide
11.A 30-year-old female presents with a painful, red, swollen right calf after a transatlantic flight.
Ultrasound shows a non-occlusive deep vein thrombosis. She has no contraindications to
anticoagulation. Which medication should be initiated?
A. Aspirin 325 mg daily
B. Apixaban
C. Warfarin alone
D. Clopidogrel
Correct answer: B. Apixaban
12.A 48-year-old male with obesity presents with daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and morning
headaches. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score is 16. What is the diagnostic test of choice?
A. Home sleep apnea test
B. Polysomnography in a sleep lab
C. Overnight oximetry
D. Multiple sleep latency test
Correct answer: B. Polysomnography in a sleep lab
DETAILED ANSWERS A NEW UPDATED VERSION LATEST
2026-2027/ APEA 3P EXAM (% CORRECT VERIFIED ANSWERS)
ALREADY GRADED A+ BRAND NEW!!!!!
1. A 72-year-old male with a history of hypertension presents with acute onset of severe left lower
quadrant abdominal pain, fever, and constipation. On examination, there is localized tenderness
and a palpable sausage-shaped mass. What is the most likely diagnosis?
A. Gastroenteritis
B. Small bowel obstruction
C. Diverticulitis with abscess
D. Irritable bowel syndrome
Correct answer: C. Diverticulitis with abscess
2. A 55-year-old female reports progressive dyspnea on exertion and a dry cough for 6 months.
She has bilateral fine, late inspiratory crackles at the lung bases. Pulse oximetry is 91% on room
air. Which diagnostic test is most specific for the suspected condition?
A. Chest X-ray
B. High-resolution CT scan
C. Spirometry
D. Diffusing capacity for carbon monoxide (DLCO)
Correct answer: B. High-resolution CT scan
3. A 45-year-old male presents with acute onset of severe, tearing chest pain radiating to the back.
Blood pressure is 160/90 in the right arm and 110/70 in the left arm. What is the immediate next
step?
A. Administer thrombolytics
B. Obtain a chest X-ray
C. Emergent CT angiography of the chest
D. Start IV nitroglycerin drip
Correct answer: C. Emergent CT angiography of the chest
,4. A 32-year-old pregnant patient at 28 weeks gestation complains of painless, bright red vaginal
bleeding that started suddenly 2 hours ago. Vital signs are normal. Fetal heart rate is reassuring.
What is the most appropriate next step?
A. Digital cervical examination
B. Admit for observation and ultrasound
C. Perform a speculum examination only
D. Send home with pelvic rest instructions
Correct answer: B. Admit for observation and ultrasound
5. A 68-year-old with diabetes and chronic kidney disease stage 3 presents with fatigue, loss of
appetite, and a serum potassium of 6.2 mEq/L. ECG shows peaked T waves. Which intervention
should be administered first?
A. Oral sodium polystyrene sulfonate
B. IV calcium gluconate
C. IV furosemide
D. IV insulin with glucose
Correct answer: B. IV calcium gluconate
6. A 5-year-old child presents with a sore throat, fever, and a sandpaper-like rash on the trunk and
flexural areas. The pharynx is erythematous with tonsillar exudate. What is the most appropriate
treatment?
A. Supportive care with fluids and rest
B. Oral penicillin V for 10 days
C. Oral acyclovir
D. Oral azithromycin for 5 days
Correct answer: B. Oral penicillin V for 10 days
7. A 50-year-old male with a 30-pack-year smoking history presents with hemoptysis, weight loss,
and a new cough. Chest X-ray shows a right hilar mass. What is the most appropriate next step?
A. CT chest with contrast
B. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
C. PET scan
D. Sputum cytology
Correct answer: B. Bronchoscopy with biopsy
8. A 75-year-old female on hydrochlorothiazide presents with confusion, muscle weakness, and
nausea. Lab results: sodium 118 mEq/L, potassium 2.9 mEq/L. What is the most appropriate
initial management?
A. Oral salt tablets
, B. Hypertonic saline infusion
C. Fluid restriction
D. IV potassium replacement only
Correct answer: B. Hypertonic saline infusion
9. A 22-year-old male presents with sudden-onset severe right testicular pain, nausea, and
vomiting. The testis is elevated and tender, with an absent cremasteric reflex. What is the
priority?
A. Scrotal ultrasound
B. Emergency surgical exploration
C. Urinalysis and antibiotics
D. Pain management and observation
Correct answer: B. Emergency surgical exploration
10.A 60-year-old with heart failure presents with worsening dyspnea, orthopnea, and a 4-kg weight
gain over 3 days. Jugular venous pressure is elevated, and crackles are heard up to the mid-lung
fields. What is the most appropriate initial pharmacologic intervention?
A. Oral metoprolol
B. IV furosemide
C. Oral spironolactone
D. IV dopamine
Correct answer: B. IV furosemide
11.A 30-year-old female presents with a painful, red, swollen right calf after a transatlantic flight.
Ultrasound shows a non-occlusive deep vein thrombosis. She has no contraindications to
anticoagulation. Which medication should be initiated?
A. Aspirin 325 mg daily
B. Apixaban
C. Warfarin alone
D. Clopidogrel
Correct answer: B. Apixaban
12.A 48-year-old male with obesity presents with daytime sleepiness, loud snoring, and morning
headaches. The Epworth Sleepiness Scale score is 16. What is the diagnostic test of choice?
A. Home sleep apnea test
B. Polysomnography in a sleep lab
C. Overnight oximetry
D. Multiple sleep latency test
Correct answer: B. Polysomnography in a sleep lab
