APEA 3Ps Assessment Pathophysiology, Pharmacology &
Physical Assessment Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep |
High-Yield Review Guide
1. Which antibiotic is commonly recommended for treating cellulitis caused by
streptococcus?
Amoxicillin
Penicillin
Vancomycin
Ciprofloxacin
2. How does depletion of dopamine affect the movement pathways in
Parkinson's disease?
Only the direct pathway is affected
Only the indirect pathway is affected
Both pathways facilitate movement
Both pathways inhibit movement
3. If an anginal patient's chest pain recurs following the administration of
nitroglycerin the clinician should treat the condition as a:
myocardial infarction.
neurogenic shock.
cerebrovascular accident.
4. Why is it important for a nurse practitioner to monitor a patient on warfarin
when they are also prescribed metronidazole?
Metronidazole decreases the absorption of warfarin.
, Metronidazole is contraindicated in patients with a history of
hemorrhage.
Metronidazole has no effect on warfarin levels.
Metronidazole can potentiate the effects of warfarin, increasing the
risk of bleeding.
5. Describe the role of calcium ions during Phase 2 of the cardiac action
potential.
Calcium ions are expelled from the cell, leading to repolarization.
Calcium ions are not involved in the cardiac action potential.
Calcium ions inhibit sodium channels, preventing depolarization.
Calcium ions enter the cardiac myocytes, contributing to the
plateau phase and maintaining depolarization.
6. Describe the relationship between protein loss in urine and the expected
serum albumin levels in a patient.
Increased protein loss in urine leads to decreased serum albumin
levels, resulting in hypoalbuminemia.
Increased protein loss in urine leads to elevated blood pressure.
Increased protein loss in urine has no effect on serum albumin levels.
Increased protein loss in urine causes increased serum albumin levels.
7. Describe the significance of the Weber test lateralizing to the right ear in this
clinical scenario.
It indicates a need for further imaging studies.
It suggests normal hearing in both ears.
It shows sensorineural loss in the left ear.
, It indicates that there may be conductive hearing loss in the right
ear.
8. Describe the significance of a HgbA1c level of 8.4% in relation to diabetes
management.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% indicates poor glycemic control, suggesting
the need for adjustments in diabetes management.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% is within normal limits, indicating good
diabetes control.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% suggests the patient is at risk for
hypoglycemia.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% indicates the patient is in remission from
diabetes.
9. Describe how abnormal electrical activity in the brain contributes to seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity is a result of seizures, not a cause.
Abnormal electrical activity only occurs in specific brain regions
during seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leads to uncontrolled
neuronal firing, which manifests as seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity causes muscle paralysis, preventing
seizures.
10. If a 67-year-old man with hypercholesterolemia is prescribed atorvastatin
but continues to consume grapefruit juice daily, what clinical
recommendation should be made?
Continue with atorvastatin and monitor for side effects.
, Increase the dose of atorvastatin to counteract the effects of
grapefruit juice.
Advise him to stop drinking grapefruit juice only on days he takes
atorvastatin.
Switch to a statin that is not affected by grapefruit juice, such as
pravastatin.
11. Describe the relationship between early type 2 insulin resistance and the
development of metabolic disorders.
Early type 2 insulin resistance primarily affects cardiovascular health.
Early type 2 insulin resistance is only relevant in older adults.
Early type 2 insulin resistance can lead to the development of
metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
Early type 2 insulin resistance has no significant impact on metabolic
health.
12. A 47y.o. M with a history of depression comes into your office reporting that
he stopped taking his fluoxetine after "a couple of embarrassing nights"
where he was unable to get an erection with his wife, which he finds
intolerable. What is the most reasonable replacement for fluoxetine in this
patient?
imipramine
bupropion
citalopram
nortriptyline
venlafaxine
sertraline
Physical Assessment Latest Update 2026 | Exam Prep |
High-Yield Review Guide
1. Which antibiotic is commonly recommended for treating cellulitis caused by
streptococcus?
Amoxicillin
Penicillin
Vancomycin
Ciprofloxacin
2. How does depletion of dopamine affect the movement pathways in
Parkinson's disease?
Only the direct pathway is affected
Only the indirect pathway is affected
Both pathways facilitate movement
Both pathways inhibit movement
3. If an anginal patient's chest pain recurs following the administration of
nitroglycerin the clinician should treat the condition as a:
myocardial infarction.
neurogenic shock.
cerebrovascular accident.
4. Why is it important for a nurse practitioner to monitor a patient on warfarin
when they are also prescribed metronidazole?
Metronidazole decreases the absorption of warfarin.
, Metronidazole is contraindicated in patients with a history of
hemorrhage.
Metronidazole has no effect on warfarin levels.
Metronidazole can potentiate the effects of warfarin, increasing the
risk of bleeding.
5. Describe the role of calcium ions during Phase 2 of the cardiac action
potential.
Calcium ions are expelled from the cell, leading to repolarization.
Calcium ions are not involved in the cardiac action potential.
Calcium ions inhibit sodium channels, preventing depolarization.
Calcium ions enter the cardiac myocytes, contributing to the
plateau phase and maintaining depolarization.
6. Describe the relationship between protein loss in urine and the expected
serum albumin levels in a patient.
Increased protein loss in urine leads to decreased serum albumin
levels, resulting in hypoalbuminemia.
Increased protein loss in urine leads to elevated blood pressure.
Increased protein loss in urine has no effect on serum albumin levels.
Increased protein loss in urine causes increased serum albumin levels.
7. Describe the significance of the Weber test lateralizing to the right ear in this
clinical scenario.
It indicates a need for further imaging studies.
It suggests normal hearing in both ears.
It shows sensorineural loss in the left ear.
, It indicates that there may be conductive hearing loss in the right
ear.
8. Describe the significance of a HgbA1c level of 8.4% in relation to diabetes
management.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% indicates poor glycemic control, suggesting
the need for adjustments in diabetes management.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% is within normal limits, indicating good
diabetes control.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% suggests the patient is at risk for
hypoglycemia.
A HgbA1c level of 8.4% indicates the patient is in remission from
diabetes.
9. Describe how abnormal electrical activity in the brain contributes to seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity is a result of seizures, not a cause.
Abnormal electrical activity only occurs in specific brain regions
during seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity in the brain leads to uncontrolled
neuronal firing, which manifests as seizures.
Abnormal electrical activity causes muscle paralysis, preventing
seizures.
10. If a 67-year-old man with hypercholesterolemia is prescribed atorvastatin
but continues to consume grapefruit juice daily, what clinical
recommendation should be made?
Continue with atorvastatin and monitor for side effects.
, Increase the dose of atorvastatin to counteract the effects of
grapefruit juice.
Advise him to stop drinking grapefruit juice only on days he takes
atorvastatin.
Switch to a statin that is not affected by grapefruit juice, such as
pravastatin.
11. Describe the relationship between early type 2 insulin resistance and the
development of metabolic disorders.
Early type 2 insulin resistance primarily affects cardiovascular health.
Early type 2 insulin resistance is only relevant in older adults.
Early type 2 insulin resistance can lead to the development of
metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes.
Early type 2 insulin resistance has no significant impact on metabolic
health.
12. A 47y.o. M with a history of depression comes into your office reporting that
he stopped taking his fluoxetine after "a couple of embarrassing nights"
where he was unable to get an erection with his wife, which he finds
intolerable. What is the most reasonable replacement for fluoxetine in this
patient?
imipramine
bupropion
citalopram
nortriptyline
venlafaxine
sertraline
