APEA Predictor Exam – Family Nurse
Practitioner Comprehensive Competency
Assessment
2026/2027 Practice Questions with Verified Solutions
Based on core concepts tested in APEA Family Nurse Practitioner review materials
Question 1
A 58-year-old male presents with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm and
jaw. Which action is the priority?
A. Order pulmonary function testing
B. Administer nitroglycerin and obtain ECG
,C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Recommend exercise
Correct Answer:
B. Administer nitroglycerin and obtain ECG
Rationale:
Symptoms strongly suggest acute coronary syndrome requiring immediate cardiac evaluation.
Question 2
Which laboratory test best reflects long-term glucose control in patients with diabetes?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Insulin level
Correct Answer:
C. Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale:
A1C reflects average blood glucose over approximately 3 months.
Question 3
A patient with asthma presents with wheezing and shortness of breath. Which medication
provides rapid symptom relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
,Correct Answer:
C. Albuterol
Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute bronchospasm relief.
Question 4
Which organism most commonly causes uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Correct Answer:
B. Escherichia coli
Rationale:
E. coli accounts for the majority of uncomplicated UTIs.
Question 5
A patient with hypertension should initially be educated on:
A. Avoiding all exercise
B. Lifestyle modifications
C. Bed rest
D. High-sodium diet
Correct Answer:
B. Lifestyle modifications
, Rationale:
Diet, exercise, and weight management are essential components of hypertension
management.
Question 6
Which finding is most concerning in a patient with meningitis?
A. Mild headache
B. Fever
C. Nuchal rigidity with altered mental status
D. Nasal congestion
Correct Answer:
C. Nuchal rigidity with altered mental status
Rationale:
These are classic signs of serious central nervous system infection.
Question 7
A child with otitis media presents with fever and ear pain. The most common bacterial cause is:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
C. Clostridium difficile
D. Salmonella
Correct Answer:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Rationale:
S. pneumoniae remains a leading cause of acute otitis media.
Practitioner Comprehensive Competency
Assessment
2026/2027 Practice Questions with Verified Solutions
Based on core concepts tested in APEA Family Nurse Practitioner review materials
Question 1
A 58-year-old male presents with crushing substernal chest pain radiating to the left arm and
jaw. Which action is the priority?
A. Order pulmonary function testing
B. Administer nitroglycerin and obtain ECG
,C. Prescribe antibiotics
D. Recommend exercise
Correct Answer:
B. Administer nitroglycerin and obtain ECG
Rationale:
Symptoms strongly suggest acute coronary syndrome requiring immediate cardiac evaluation.
Question 2
Which laboratory test best reflects long-term glucose control in patients with diabetes?
A. Fasting glucose
B. Random glucose
C. Hemoglobin A1C
D. Insulin level
Correct Answer:
C. Hemoglobin A1C
Rationale:
A1C reflects average blood glucose over approximately 3 months.
Question 3
A patient with asthma presents with wheezing and shortness of breath. Which medication
provides rapid symptom relief?
A. Fluticasone
B. Montelukast
C. Albuterol
D. Prednisone
,Correct Answer:
C. Albuterol
Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist used for acute bronchospasm relief.
Question 4
Which organism most commonly causes uncomplicated urinary tract infections in women?
A. Staphylococcus aureus
B. Escherichia coli
C. Klebsiella pneumoniae
D. Pseudomonas aeruginosa
Correct Answer:
B. Escherichia coli
Rationale:
E. coli accounts for the majority of uncomplicated UTIs.
Question 5
A patient with hypertension should initially be educated on:
A. Avoiding all exercise
B. Lifestyle modifications
C. Bed rest
D. High-sodium diet
Correct Answer:
B. Lifestyle modifications
, Rationale:
Diet, exercise, and weight management are essential components of hypertension
management.
Question 6
Which finding is most concerning in a patient with meningitis?
A. Mild headache
B. Fever
C. Nuchal rigidity with altered mental status
D. Nasal congestion
Correct Answer:
C. Nuchal rigidity with altered mental status
Rationale:
These are classic signs of serious central nervous system infection.
Question 7
A child with otitis media presents with fever and ear pain. The most common bacterial cause is:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
B. Mycoplasma pneumoniae
C. Clostridium difficile
D. Salmonella
Correct Answer:
A. Streptococcus pneumoniae
Rationale:
S. pneumoniae remains a leading cause of acute otitis media.
