APEA 3P Final Review Test Bank 2026/2027 -
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
Question 1
A 3-year-old presents with a history of fever and cough over the past 24 hours. Findings
on exam reveal: temperature of 102°F, apical heart rate of 157 beats/minute, and
respiratory rate of 40 breaths/minute. Tachypnea in this child is most likely related to:
A) Paradoxical respirations
B) The child's febrile state ✓
C) The child's age
D) An airway obstruction
Rationale: In children, heart and respiratory rates increase with fever. For every degree
of fever, the respiratory rate increases 3-4 breaths/minute and the heart rate increases
8-10 beats/minute .
Question 2
When percussing the lower posterior chest, the examiner should:
A) Stand on the side rather than directly behind the patient ✓
B) Have the patient lie supine on the examining table
C) Carefully palpate any area the patient has reported pain
D) Use the ball or ulnar surface of the hand
Rationale: When percussing the lower posterior chest, standing on the side rather than
directly behind the patient allows proper placement of the pleximeter finger and more
effective percussion notes .
,Question 3
Symptoms of depression are a side effect of which neurotransmitter medication?
A) Dopamine ✓
B) Gabapentin
C) Mil
D) Cortisol
Rationale: Symptoms of depression can be a side effect of medications affecting
neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine .
Question 4
Symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation are associated with:
A) Hiatal hernia
B) Gastroesophageal reflux ✓
C) Peptic ulcer disease
D) Esophageal cancer
Rationale: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) classically presents with heartburn
and regurgitation symptoms .
Question 5
,A 70-year-old man walks 20 minutes most days of the week. He has begun to complain
of pain in his left calf when walking. The problem has gotten gradually worse and now
he is unable to complete his 20-minute walks without stopping to rest. What choice best
describes the pain associated with peripheral artery disease?
A) A sharp, stabbing pain
B) A dull pain and cramp ✓
C) An electric shock
D) A pulsating pain
Rationale: Peripheral artery disease typically presents with dull, aching pain or cramping
in the calf during exercise that resolves with rest (claudication) .
Question 6
Which lesion is dark, raised, and asymmetric with an irregular border?
A) Nevus
B) Actinic keratosis
C) Keratoacanthoma
D) Melanoma ✓
Rationale: Melanoma is characterized by asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation,
diameter >6mm, and evolving appearance (ABCDE criteria) .
Question 7
, What is the appropriate prophylactic medication for an 18-year-old woman with a past
medical history of migraine headaches?
A) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
B) Propranolol (Inderal) ✓
C) Ibuprofen (Motrin)
D) Dihydroergotamine (DHE)
Rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker approved for migraine prophylaxis.
Sumatriptan is an abortive treatment, not prophylactic .
Question 8
Why would a combined hormonal contraceptive be contraindicated in a 36-year-old
patient with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic smoking, and
sedentary lifestyle?
A) She is obese
B) She has type 2 diabetes mellitus
C) Her age and tobacco use ✓
D) She leads a sedentary lifestyle
Rationale: Combined hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated in women over 35
who smoke due to increased risk of cardiovascular events including stroke and
myocardial infarction .
Question 9
Questions and Correct Verified Answers
Question 1
A 3-year-old presents with a history of fever and cough over the past 24 hours. Findings
on exam reveal: temperature of 102°F, apical heart rate of 157 beats/minute, and
respiratory rate of 40 breaths/minute. Tachypnea in this child is most likely related to:
A) Paradoxical respirations
B) The child's febrile state ✓
C) The child's age
D) An airway obstruction
Rationale: In children, heart and respiratory rates increase with fever. For every degree
of fever, the respiratory rate increases 3-4 breaths/minute and the heart rate increases
8-10 beats/minute .
Question 2
When percussing the lower posterior chest, the examiner should:
A) Stand on the side rather than directly behind the patient ✓
B) Have the patient lie supine on the examining table
C) Carefully palpate any area the patient has reported pain
D) Use the ball or ulnar surface of the hand
Rationale: When percussing the lower posterior chest, standing on the side rather than
directly behind the patient allows proper placement of the pleximeter finger and more
effective percussion notes .
,Question 3
Symptoms of depression are a side effect of which neurotransmitter medication?
A) Dopamine ✓
B) Gabapentin
C) Mil
D) Cortisol
Rationale: Symptoms of depression can be a side effect of medications affecting
neurotransmitters such as serotonin and norepinephrine .
Question 4
Symptoms of heartburn and regurgitation are associated with:
A) Hiatal hernia
B) Gastroesophageal reflux ✓
C) Peptic ulcer disease
D) Esophageal cancer
Rationale: Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) classically presents with heartburn
and regurgitation symptoms .
Question 5
,A 70-year-old man walks 20 minutes most days of the week. He has begun to complain
of pain in his left calf when walking. The problem has gotten gradually worse and now
he is unable to complete his 20-minute walks without stopping to rest. What choice best
describes the pain associated with peripheral artery disease?
A) A sharp, stabbing pain
B) A dull pain and cramp ✓
C) An electric shock
D) A pulsating pain
Rationale: Peripheral artery disease typically presents with dull, aching pain or cramping
in the calf during exercise that resolves with rest (claudication) .
Question 6
Which lesion is dark, raised, and asymmetric with an irregular border?
A) Nevus
B) Actinic keratosis
C) Keratoacanthoma
D) Melanoma ✓
Rationale: Melanoma is characterized by asymmetry, irregular borders, color variation,
diameter >6mm, and evolving appearance (ABCDE criteria) .
Question 7
, What is the appropriate prophylactic medication for an 18-year-old woman with a past
medical history of migraine headaches?
A) Sumatriptan (Imitrex)
B) Propranolol (Inderal) ✓
C) Ibuprofen (Motrin)
D) Dihydroergotamine (DHE)
Rationale: Propranolol is a beta-blocker approved for migraine prophylaxis.
Sumatriptan is an abortive treatment, not prophylactic .
Question 8
Why would a combined hormonal contraceptive be contraindicated in a 36-year-old
patient with a past medical history of type 2 diabetes, obesity, chronic smoking, and
sedentary lifestyle?
A) She is obese
B) She has type 2 diabetes mellitus
C) Her age and tobacco use ✓
D) She leads a sedentary lifestyle
Rationale: Combined hormonal contraceptives are contraindicated in women over 35
who smoke due to increased risk of cardiovascular events including stroke and
myocardial infarction .
Question 9
