APEA QBANK AANP ACTUAL EXAM PAPER
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Most common type of skin cancer.
Answer: basal cell carcinoma
◉ basal cell carcinoma symptoms.
Answer: Appearance varies; smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly
white
◉ Basal cell carcinoma common locations.
Answer: cheeks, nose, face, neck, arms, back
◉ basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard.
Answer: biopsy. if not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis.
Answer: Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
,numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
◉ Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard.
Answer: Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard.
Answer: small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes
skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
◉ squamous cell cancer.
Answer: chronic red scaly rough textured lesion w/ irregular
borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
◉ Squamous cell carcinoma common locations.
Answer: rims of ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
,◉ precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer.
Answer: actinic keratosis
◉ squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by?.
Answer: biopsy gold standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to
dermatology .
◉ Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma).
Answer: Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin,
chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family
hx for skin cancer
◉ Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE).
Answer: asymmetry (shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
◉ Acral lengtiginous melanoma.
Answer: Most common type of melanoma in dark skinned
individuals (blacks & asians)
, --> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
◉ seborrheic keratosis.
Answer: soft, round, wart-like growth that is light tan to black and
looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
◉ Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria.
Answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae- most common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
◉ Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad).
Answer: High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-
colored lesions (purpura) which are non-blanchable
2026 QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS
GRADED A+
◉ Most common type of skin cancer.
Answer: basal cell carcinoma
◉ basal cell carcinoma symptoms.
Answer: Appearance varies; smooth, shiny bump, pink to pearly
white
◉ Basal cell carcinoma common locations.
Answer: cheeks, nose, face, neck, arms, back
◉ basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard.
Answer: biopsy. if not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis.
Answer: Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
,numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly
texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
◉ Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard.
Answer: Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
◉ Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard.
Answer: small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes
skin to ooze, crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
◉ squamous cell cancer.
Answer: chronic red scaly rough textured lesion w/ irregular
borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
◉ Squamous cell carcinoma common locations.
Answer: rims of ears, lips, nose, face and top of hands
,◉ precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer.
Answer: actinic keratosis
◉ squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by?.
Answer: biopsy gold standard. if biopsy is not an option, refer to
dermatology .
◉ Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma).
Answer: Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin,
chronic exposure to UV light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family
hx for skin cancer
◉ Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE).
Answer: asymmetry (shape/uneven texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
◉ Acral lengtiginous melanoma.
Answer: Most common type of melanoma in dark skinned
individuals (blacks & asians)
, --> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a
changing spot or mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
◉ seborrheic keratosis.
Answer: soft, round, wart-like growth that is light tan to black and
looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
◉ Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria.
Answer: Streptococcus pneumoniae- most common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
◉ Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad).
Answer: High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-
colored lesions (purpura) which are non-blanchable
