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APEA WOMEN’S HEALTH FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
1. A 24-year-old woman presents with unilateral breast pain, erythema, and warmth. She is
breastfeeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
• A) Inflammatory breast cancer
• B) Mastitis
• C) Fibroadenoma
• D) Mammary duct ectasia
Answer: B (The combination of focal breast erythema, pain, and warmth in a lactating woman is
classic for lactational mastitis, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Inflammatory breast
cancer is rare in lactating women and does not respond to antibiotics.)
2. Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for developing which of
the following?
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• A) Hypertension
• B) Hypothyroidism
• C) Asthma
• D) Type 2 diabetes
Answer: D (PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, which significantly increases the risk of
developing type 2 diabetes. Women with PCOS should be screened for glucose intolerance and
diabetes.)
3. Which one of the following is NOT a pathological characteristic of polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS)?
• A) Excess androgen
• B) Insulin resistance
• C) Anovulation
• D) Decreased LH/FSH ratio
Answer: D (PCOS is characterized by an elevated LH/FSH ratio (typically >2:1), not a decreased
ratio. Other characteristics include excess androgen, insulin resistance, and anovulation.)
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4. A woman presents with irregular menses, hirsutism, and obesity. What is the first-line
diagnostic test for suspected PCOS?
• A) Pelvic ultrasound
• B) Serum testosterone
• C) LH:FSH ratio
• D) Pregnancy test
Answer: A (Pelvic ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic test for suspected PCOS to evaluate
ovarian morphology and rule out other causes of hyperandrogenism.)
5. The clinical syndrome resulting from replacement of normal vaginal flora with anaerobic
bacteria is:
• A) Candidiasis
• B) Trichomoniasis
• C) Bacterial vaginosis
• D) Gonorrhea
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Answer: C (Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is an imbalance in vaginal flora, specifically a
decrease in Lactobacillus species and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Symptoms may include
thin, grayish discharge with a fishy odor.)
6. Cervical motion tenderness noted during bimanual exam is suggestive of:
• A) Ovarian cyst
• B) Pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis
• C) Uterine fibroids
• D) Endometriosis
Answer: B (Cervical motion tenderness (chandelier sign) is suggestive of pelvic inflammatory
disease, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis. It indicates peritoneal irritation.)
7. Dyspareunia that occurs at the vaginal opening suggests:
• A) Deep pelvic pathology
• B) Local inflammation or inadequate lubrication
• C) Endometriosis
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SUCCESS!
APEA WOMEN’S HEALTH FINAL EXAM QUESTIONS
WITH CORRECT ANSWERS AND RATIONALES JUST
RELEASED THIS YEAR
1. A 24-year-old woman presents with unilateral breast pain, erythema, and warmth. She is
breastfeeding. What is the most likely diagnosis?
• A) Inflammatory breast cancer
• B) Mastitis
• C) Fibroadenoma
• D) Mammary duct ectasia
Answer: B (The combination of focal breast erythema, pain, and warmth in a lactating woman is
classic for lactational mastitis, typically caused by Staphylococcus aureus. Inflammatory breast
cancer is rare in lactating women and does not respond to antibiotics.)
2. Patients with polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS) are at higher risk for developing which of
the following?
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• A) Hypertension
• B) Hypothyroidism
• C) Asthma
• D) Type 2 diabetes
Answer: D (PCOS is associated with insulin resistance, which significantly increases the risk of
developing type 2 diabetes. Women with PCOS should be screened for glucose intolerance and
diabetes.)
3. Which one of the following is NOT a pathological characteristic of polycystic ovarian
syndrome (PCOS)?
• A) Excess androgen
• B) Insulin resistance
• C) Anovulation
• D) Decreased LH/FSH ratio
Answer: D (PCOS is characterized by an elevated LH/FSH ratio (typically >2:1), not a decreased
ratio. Other characteristics include excess androgen, insulin resistance, and anovulation.)
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4. A woman presents with irregular menses, hirsutism, and obesity. What is the first-line
diagnostic test for suspected PCOS?
• A) Pelvic ultrasound
• B) Serum testosterone
• C) LH:FSH ratio
• D) Pregnancy test
Answer: A (Pelvic ultrasound is the first-line diagnostic test for suspected PCOS to evaluate
ovarian morphology and rule out other causes of hyperandrogenism.)
5. The clinical syndrome resulting from replacement of normal vaginal flora with anaerobic
bacteria is:
• A) Candidiasis
• B) Trichomoniasis
• C) Bacterial vaginosis
• D) Gonorrhea
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Answer: C (Bacterial vaginosis occurs when there is an imbalance in vaginal flora, specifically a
decrease in Lactobacillus species and overgrowth of anaerobic bacteria. Symptoms may include
thin, grayish discharge with a fishy odor.)
6. Cervical motion tenderness noted during bimanual exam is suggestive of:
• A) Ovarian cyst
• B) Pelvic inflammatory disease, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis
• C) Uterine fibroids
• D) Endometriosis
Answer: B (Cervical motion tenderness (chandelier sign) is suggestive of pelvic inflammatory
disease, ectopic pregnancy, or appendicitis. It indicates peritoneal irritation.)
7. Dyspareunia that occurs at the vaginal opening suggests:
• A) Deep pelvic pathology
• B) Local inflammation or inadequate lubrication
• C) Endometriosis
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