APEA 3P EXAM TEST BANK | 2026
UPDATE VERSION
A 67-year-old woman with a history of A-fib and an ejection fraction of 48% has
had normal digoxin levels. Which can cause a decrease of digoxin level?
• a) Decreased creatinine clearance
• b) Weight loss
• c) Increased exercise
• d) Regular use of antacids
d) Regular use of antacids
• Rationale: Antacids can decrease digoxin absorption, lowering serum levels.
A pediatric patient has areas of scaling on the scalp with round patches of
alopecia. This clinical finding is consistent with:
• a) Tinea capitis
• b) Seborrheic dermatitis
• c) Trichotillomania
• d) Alopecia areata
a) Tinea capitis
• Rationale: Tinea capitis presents with scaly patches and alopecia on the scalp.
,Which finding below would be unusual in a patient with diabetic retinopathy?
a) Papilledema
b) Dot and blot hemorrhages
c) Microaneurysms
d) Cotton wool spots
a) Papilledema
Rationale: Papilledema is not a feature of diabetic retinopathy; it is more
associated with increased intracranial pressure.
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 a 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
c) Her age and tobacco use
• Rationale: Combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated in women older
than 35 who smoke due to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
,5-alpha reductase inhibitors work to improve symptoms of benign prostatic
hyperplasia by:
• a) Decreasing the size of the prostate
• b) Increasing blood flow to the prostate
• c) Relaxing smooth muscle in the bladder neck
• d) Relaxing smooth muscle in the prostate capsule
a) Decreasing the size of the prostate
• Rationale: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors reduce dihydrotestosterone levels,
leading to prostate shrinkage.
Which medication is indicated for patients with generalized anxiety disorder?
• a) Buspirone (Buspar)
• b) Citalopram (Celexa)
• c) Imipramine (Tofranil)
• d) Bupropion HCL (Wellbutrin)
a) Buspirone (Buspar)
• Rationale: Buspirone is specifically indicated for generalized anxiety disorder,
while the other medications are primarily antidepressants.
, Pregnant women are evaluated for syphilis with serology testing because:
• a) Syphilis during pregnancy predisposes the fetus to spontaneously abort or the
newborn to have congenital syphilis
• b) Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy may trigger activation of latent
syphilis
• c) Syphilis may be passed to the fetus beginning in the third trimester
• d) Untreated syphilis can cause neonatal respiratory distress
a) Syphilis during pregnancy predisposes the fetus to spontaneously abort or the
newborn to have congenital syphilis
• Rationale: Syphilis can result in severe complications for both the mother and
fetus, including congenital syphilis and spontaneous abortion.
Which lesion is dark, raised, and asymmetric with an irregular border?
• a) Nevus
• b) Actinic keratosis
• c) Keratoacanthoma
• d) Melanoma
d) Melanoma
• Rationale: Melanomas are dark, asymmetric lesions with irregular borders and
require immediate evaluation.
A 32-year-old woman presents with dull puffiness of the eyes and pronounced
non-pitting periorbital edema. This finding is suggestive of which condition?
• a) Nephrotic syndrome
UPDATE VERSION
A 67-year-old woman with a history of A-fib and an ejection fraction of 48% has
had normal digoxin levels. Which can cause a decrease of digoxin level?
• a) Decreased creatinine clearance
• b) Weight loss
• c) Increased exercise
• d) Regular use of antacids
d) Regular use of antacids
• Rationale: Antacids can decrease digoxin absorption, lowering serum levels.
A pediatric patient has areas of scaling on the scalp with round patches of
alopecia. This clinical finding is consistent with:
• a) Tinea capitis
• b) Seborrheic dermatitis
• c) Trichotillomania
• d) Alopecia areata
a) Tinea capitis
• Rationale: Tinea capitis presents with scaly patches and alopecia on the scalp.
,Which finding below would be unusual in a patient with diabetic retinopathy?
a) Papilledema
b) Dot and blot hemorrhages
c) Microaneurysms
d) Cotton wool spots
a) Papilledema
Rationale: Papilledema is not a feature of diabetic retinopathy; it is more
associated with increased intracranial pressure.
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 a 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
c) Her age and tobacco use
• Rationale: Combined oral contraceptives are contraindicated in women older
than 35 who smoke due to an increased risk of cardiovascular events.
,5-alpha reductase inhibitors work to improve symptoms of benign prostatic
hyperplasia by:
• a) Decreasing the size of the prostate
• b) Increasing blood flow to the prostate
• c) Relaxing smooth muscle in the bladder neck
• d) Relaxing smooth muscle in the prostate capsule
a) Decreasing the size of the prostate
• Rationale: 5-alpha reductase inhibitors reduce dihydrotestosterone levels,
leading to prostate shrinkage.
Which medication is indicated for patients with generalized anxiety disorder?
• a) Buspirone (Buspar)
• b) Citalopram (Celexa)
• c) Imipramine (Tofranil)
• d) Bupropion HCL (Wellbutrin)
a) Buspirone (Buspar)
• Rationale: Buspirone is specifically indicated for generalized anxiety disorder,
while the other medications are primarily antidepressants.
, Pregnant women are evaluated for syphilis with serology testing because:
• a) Syphilis during pregnancy predisposes the fetus to spontaneously abort or the
newborn to have congenital syphilis
• b) Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy may trigger activation of latent
syphilis
• c) Syphilis may be passed to the fetus beginning in the third trimester
• d) Untreated syphilis can cause neonatal respiratory distress
a) Syphilis during pregnancy predisposes the fetus to spontaneously abort or the
newborn to have congenital syphilis
• Rationale: Syphilis can result in severe complications for both the mother and
fetus, including congenital syphilis and spontaneous abortion.
Which lesion is dark, raised, and asymmetric with an irregular border?
• a) Nevus
• b) Actinic keratosis
• c) Keratoacanthoma
• d) Melanoma
d) Melanoma
• Rationale: Melanomas are dark, asymmetric lesions with irregular borders and
require immediate evaluation.
A 32-year-old woman presents with dull puffiness of the eyes and pronounced
non-pitting periorbital edema. This finding is suggestive of which condition?
• a) Nephrotic syndrome
