APEA Final Predictor
Exam Questions And
Correct Answers
(Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 68-year-old male with hypertension presents with
sudden severe chest pain radiating to the back. BP is
180/100 in the right arm and 160/90 in the left arm. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Aortic dissection
D. Pericarditis
,Answer: C. Aortic dissection
Rationale: Unequal blood pressures between arms and
tearing chest pain radiating to the back are classic signs of
aortic dissection.
2. First-line treatment for uncomplicated community-
acquired pneumonia in a healthy adult is:
A. Vancomycin
B. Azithromycin
C. Piperacillin-tazobactam
D. Ciprofloxacin
Answer: B. Azithromycin
Rationale: Macrolides are first-line for healthy outpatient CAP
patients without comorbidities.
3. A patient on lisinopril develops facial swelling. What is
the priority action?
A. Administer antihistamine
B. Stop lisinopril immediately
C. Give epinephrine
D. Reassure patient
Answer: B. Stop lisinopril immediately
Rationale: Angioedema from ACE inhibitors is life-threatening
and requires discontinuation.
4. Which lab is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
,A. AST
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. ALT
Answer: B. Lipase
Rationale: Lipase is more specific and remains elevated
longer than amylase.
5. A 55-year-old with chest pain has ST elevation in leads II,
III, aVF. Which artery is occluded?
A. LAD
B. Right coronary artery
C. Circumflex artery
D. Left main artery
Answer: B. Right coronary artery
Rationale: Inferior wall MI is typically due to RCA occlusion.
6. Best initial test for suspected pulmonary embolism in a
stable patient?
A. Chest X-ray
B. CT pulmonary angiography
C. D-dimer
D. ECG
Answer: C. D-dimer
Rationale: Low/intermediate risk patients should first be
evaluated with D-dimer.
, 7. Which condition is associated with “currant jelly” stools?
A. Crohn’s disease
B. Intussusception
C. Appendicitis
D. Ulcerative colitis
Answer: B. Intussusception
Rationale: Classic pediatric sign of bowel telescoping.
8. First-line treatment for hypothyroidism is:
A. Liothyronine
B. Methimazole
C. Levothyroxine
D. Propylthiouracil
Answer: C. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Synthetic T4 is standard treatment.
9. A patient with COPD exacerbation should receive initial
treatment with:
A. Beta blockers
B. Albuterol and ipratropium
C. Oxygen only
D. Diuretics
Exam Questions And
Correct Answers
(Verified Answers)
Plus Rationales
2025/2026 Q&A |
Instant Download Pdf
1. A 68-year-old male with hypertension presents with
sudden severe chest pain radiating to the back. BP is
180/100 in the right arm and 160/90 in the left arm. What is
the most likely diagnosis?
A. Myocardial infarction
B. Pulmonary embolism
C. Aortic dissection
D. Pericarditis
,Answer: C. Aortic dissection
Rationale: Unequal blood pressures between arms and
tearing chest pain radiating to the back are classic signs of
aortic dissection.
2. First-line treatment for uncomplicated community-
acquired pneumonia in a healthy adult is:
A. Vancomycin
B. Azithromycin
C. Piperacillin-tazobactam
D. Ciprofloxacin
Answer: B. Azithromycin
Rationale: Macrolides are first-line for healthy outpatient CAP
patients without comorbidities.
3. A patient on lisinopril develops facial swelling. What is
the priority action?
A. Administer antihistamine
B. Stop lisinopril immediately
C. Give epinephrine
D. Reassure patient
Answer: B. Stop lisinopril immediately
Rationale: Angioedema from ACE inhibitors is life-threatening
and requires discontinuation.
4. Which lab is most specific for acute pancreatitis?
,A. AST
B. Lipase
C. Amylase
D. ALT
Answer: B. Lipase
Rationale: Lipase is more specific and remains elevated
longer than amylase.
5. A 55-year-old with chest pain has ST elevation in leads II,
III, aVF. Which artery is occluded?
A. LAD
B. Right coronary artery
C. Circumflex artery
D. Left main artery
Answer: B. Right coronary artery
Rationale: Inferior wall MI is typically due to RCA occlusion.
6. Best initial test for suspected pulmonary embolism in a
stable patient?
A. Chest X-ray
B. CT pulmonary angiography
C. D-dimer
D. ECG
Answer: C. D-dimer
Rationale: Low/intermediate risk patients should first be
evaluated with D-dimer.
, 7. Which condition is associated with “currant jelly” stools?
A. Crohn’s disease
B. Intussusception
C. Appendicitis
D. Ulcerative colitis
Answer: B. Intussusception
Rationale: Classic pediatric sign of bowel telescoping.
8. First-line treatment for hypothyroidism is:
A. Liothyronine
B. Methimazole
C. Levothyroxine
D. Propylthiouracil
Answer: C. Levothyroxine
Rationale: Synthetic T4 is standard treatment.
9. A patient with COPD exacerbation should receive initial
treatment with:
A. Beta blockers
B. Albuterol and ipratropium
C. Oxygen only
D. Diuretics
