1|Page
APEA 3P Exam Complete Study Guide –
200 Questions, Multiple Choice, & Full
Rationales (NP Board Review), 100%
Guaranteed Pass || 2026 Complete A+
Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Cardiovascular System 1-25
Section 2 Respiratory System 26-45
Section 3 Neurologic System 46-65
Section 4 Endocrine System 66-85
Section 5 Gastrointestinal System 86-105
Section 6 Genitourinary & Reproductive Systems 106-125
,2|Page
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 7 Musculoskeletal System 126-140
Section 8 Dermatologic System 141-155
Section 9 Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (HEENT) 156-170
Section 10 Infectious Diseases 171-185
Section 11 Pharmacology Principles 186-200
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
QUESTION 1
Which patient could be expected to have the highest systolic blood
pressure?
A) 21-year-old male
B) 50-year-old perimenopausal female
C) 35-year-old patient with Type 2 diabetes
D) 75-year-old male
,3|Page
Answer: D) 75-year-old male
Rationale: Nearly 25% of the US population has hypertension.
The greatest incidence is in older adults because of changes
in the intima of vessels as aging and calcium deposition
occur. Males of any age are more likely to be hypertensive
than females of the same age. African American adults have
the highest incidence in the general population. Among
adolescents, African Americans and Hispanics have the
highest rates. Hypertension occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies.
QUESTION 2
Mrs. Brandy is having contrast dye next week for a heart
catheterization. What drug does NOT need to be stopped prior to
her catheterization?
A) Naproxen
B) Furosemide
C) Metformin
D) Losartan
Answer: D) Losartan
, 4|Page
Rationale: Naproxen and furosemide should be stopped for 24
hours prior to the catheterization. Metformin should be
stopped 48 hours prior to the catheterization. Furosemide is
stopped because it contributes to volume depletion. NSAIDs
like naproxen are withheld because of the impact on renal
prostaglandin production. Metformin has been implicated in
lactic acidosis when combined with contrast dye in an
impaired kidney. Losartan, an ARB, does not typically require
pre-procedure discontinuation for contrast studies.
QUESTION 3
Which hypertensive patient is most likely to have adverse blood
pressure effects from excessive sodium consumption?
A) 21-year-old Asian American male
B) 35-year-old menstruating female
C) 55-year-old postmenopausal female
D) 70-year-old African American male
Answer: D) 70-year-old African American male
Rationale: Two groups of patients typically experience adverse
blood pressure effects from consumption of sodium greater
APEA 3P Exam Complete Study Guide –
200 Questions, Multiple Choice, & Full
Rationales (NP Board Review), 100%
Guaranteed Pass || 2026 Complete A+
Guide
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 1 Cardiovascular System 1-25
Section 2 Respiratory System 26-45
Section 3 Neurologic System 46-65
Section 4 Endocrine System 66-85
Section 5 Gastrointestinal System 86-105
Section 6 Genitourinary & Reproductive Systems 106-125
,2|Page
Section Topic Area Questions
Section 7 Musculoskeletal System 126-140
Section 8 Dermatologic System 141-155
Section 9 Eyes, Ears, Nose, Throat (HEENT) 156-170
Section 10 Infectious Diseases 171-185
Section 11 Pharmacology Principles 186-200
SECTION 1: CARDIOVASCULAR SYSTEM
QUESTION 1
Which patient could be expected to have the highest systolic blood
pressure?
A) 21-year-old male
B) 50-year-old perimenopausal female
C) 35-year-old patient with Type 2 diabetes
D) 75-year-old male
,3|Page
Answer: D) 75-year-old male
Rationale: Nearly 25% of the US population has hypertension.
The greatest incidence is in older adults because of changes
in the intima of vessels as aging and calcium deposition
occur. Males of any age are more likely to be hypertensive
than females of the same age. African American adults have
the highest incidence in the general population. Among
adolescents, African Americans and Hispanics have the
highest rates. Hypertension occurs in 5-10% of pregnancies.
QUESTION 2
Mrs. Brandy is having contrast dye next week for a heart
catheterization. What drug does NOT need to be stopped prior to
her catheterization?
A) Naproxen
B) Furosemide
C) Metformin
D) Losartan
Answer: D) Losartan
, 4|Page
Rationale: Naproxen and furosemide should be stopped for 24
hours prior to the catheterization. Metformin should be
stopped 48 hours prior to the catheterization. Furosemide is
stopped because it contributes to volume depletion. NSAIDs
like naproxen are withheld because of the impact on renal
prostaglandin production. Metformin has been implicated in
lactic acidosis when combined with contrast dye in an
impaired kidney. Losartan, an ARB, does not typically require
pre-procedure discontinuation for contrast studies.
QUESTION 3
Which hypertensive patient is most likely to have adverse blood
pressure effects from excessive sodium consumption?
A) 21-year-old Asian American male
B) 35-year-old menstruating female
C) 55-year-old postmenopausal female
D) 70-year-old African American male
Answer: D) 70-year-old African American male
Rationale: Two groups of patients typically experience adverse
blood pressure effects from consumption of sodium greater
