APEA Exam Practice Test
2025| 100% Correct Answers
(Best Practice Test for
Guaranteed Pass)
1. A patient presents with symmetrical erythematous lesions on extensor surfaces of elbows,
knees, and back. Margins are sharply defined. This is most likely:
a. Plaque psoriasis
b. Tinea corporis
c. Atopic dermatitis
d. Eczema
ANSWER: a. Plaque psoriasis
Explanation: Sharply demarcated, symmetrical plaques on extensor surfaces (elbows, knees,
back) are classic for plaque psoriasis. Tinea corporis is usually asymmetrical and scaly, while
atopic dermatitis and eczema typically involve flexural areas with less distinct borders.
2. Which patient is NOT considered at high risk for colorectal cancer?
a. 20-year-old with a history of abdominal radiation from childhood cancer
b. 30-year-old woman whose grandmother was diagnosed with CR CA at age 65
c. 38-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis
d. 50-year-old man with a 1st-degree relative diagnosed with CR CA at age 45
ANSWER: b. 30-year-old whose grandmother was diagnosed at age 65
Explanation: A single 2nd-degree relative (grandparent) diagnosed at ≥50 years does not confer
high risk. High-risk factors include 1st-degree relatives diagnosed <50, IBD (ulcerative colitis),
or prior abdominal radiation.
3. Serious adverse effects of azithromycin include:
a. Hypertension
b. Hyperglycemia
,c. Liver failure
d. QT prolongation
ANSWER: d. QT prolongation
Explanation: Azithromycin can cause QT prolongation, leading to torsades de pointes. Other
risks include hepatotoxicity (rare) but not typically liver failure or hyperglycemia.
4. A serious side effect of sildenafil is:
a. Hypertension
b. Tinnitus
c. Priapism
d. Blurred vision
ANSWER: c. Priapism
Explanation: Sildenafil (Viagra) can cause priapism (prolonged, painful erection), which is a
medical emergency. Other side effects include hypotension, headaches, and blue-tinged vision
(rare).
5. A patient taking a PPI for 6 months has diarrhea for 3 weeks. Consider:
a. Lactose intolerance
b. IBS
c. Giardia
d. C. diff infection
ANSWER: d. C. diff infection
Explanation: Long-term PPI use increases the risk of C. difficile colitis due to reduced gastric
acid. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
6. Which is an abnormal finding?
a. Apical pulse in a 22-year-old man
b. Systolic murmur in an 18-week pregnant woman with BMI 38
c. S4 in a 58-year-old obese man with DM
d. BP of 118/65 in a frail 78-year-old man
ANSWER: c. S4 in an obese man with DM
Explanation: S4 is abnormal and suggests diastolic dysfunction (e.g., from hypertension or LV
hypertrophy). An S4 in a young, healthy person is rare. Pregnancy murmurs (b) are often benign
flow murmurs.
, 7. A side effect of azelastine ophthalmic drops for allergic conjunctivitis is:
a. Bitter taste
b. Blurred vision
c. Dry eyes
d. Photophobia
ANSWER: a. Bitter taste
Explanation: Azelastine can drain into the nasopharynx, causing a bitter taste. Systemic
absorption is minimal, but this is a common complaint.
8. Presbycusis is characterized by:
a. Unilateral hearing loss
b. Conductive hearing loss
c. Symmetrical high-frequency hearing loss
d. Sudden deafness
ANSWER: c. Symmetrical high-frequency hearing loss
Explanation: Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) involves bilateral, progressive high-
frequency loss due to cochlear hair cell degeneration.
9. Do NOT give corticosteroids in combination with:
a. Antihistamines
b. NSAIDs
c. Live vaccines
d. Antibiotics
ANSWER: c. Live vaccines
Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress immunity, increasing the risk of live vaccine-related
infections (e.g., MMR, varicella). Avoid live vaccines in immunocompromised patients.
10. Side effects of levonorgestrel (Plan B) to prevent pregnancy include:
a. Hypertension
b. Weight gain
c. Nausea/vomiting
d. Dizziness
ANSWER: c. Nausea/vomiting
Explanation: Levonorgestrel (emergency contraception) commonly causes nausea/vomiting.
Unlike combined OCPs, it does not typically cause hypertension or weight gain.
2025| 100% Correct Answers
(Best Practice Test for
Guaranteed Pass)
1. A patient presents with symmetrical erythematous lesions on extensor surfaces of elbows,
knees, and back. Margins are sharply defined. This is most likely:
a. Plaque psoriasis
b. Tinea corporis
c. Atopic dermatitis
d. Eczema
ANSWER: a. Plaque psoriasis
Explanation: Sharply demarcated, symmetrical plaques on extensor surfaces (elbows, knees,
back) are classic for plaque psoriasis. Tinea corporis is usually asymmetrical and scaly, while
atopic dermatitis and eczema typically involve flexural areas with less distinct borders.
2. Which patient is NOT considered at high risk for colorectal cancer?
a. 20-year-old with a history of abdominal radiation from childhood cancer
b. 30-year-old woman whose grandmother was diagnosed with CR CA at age 65
c. 38-year-old woman with ulcerative colitis
d. 50-year-old man with a 1st-degree relative diagnosed with CR CA at age 45
ANSWER: b. 30-year-old whose grandmother was diagnosed at age 65
Explanation: A single 2nd-degree relative (grandparent) diagnosed at ≥50 years does not confer
high risk. High-risk factors include 1st-degree relatives diagnosed <50, IBD (ulcerative colitis),
or prior abdominal radiation.
3. Serious adverse effects of azithromycin include:
a. Hypertension
b. Hyperglycemia
,c. Liver failure
d. QT prolongation
ANSWER: d. QT prolongation
Explanation: Azithromycin can cause QT prolongation, leading to torsades de pointes. Other
risks include hepatotoxicity (rare) but not typically liver failure or hyperglycemia.
4. A serious side effect of sildenafil is:
a. Hypertension
b. Tinnitus
c. Priapism
d. Blurred vision
ANSWER: c. Priapism
Explanation: Sildenafil (Viagra) can cause priapism (prolonged, painful erection), which is a
medical emergency. Other side effects include hypotension, headaches, and blue-tinged vision
(rare).
5. A patient taking a PPI for 6 months has diarrhea for 3 weeks. Consider:
a. Lactose intolerance
b. IBS
c. Giardia
d. C. diff infection
ANSWER: d. C. diff infection
Explanation: Long-term PPI use increases the risk of C. difficile colitis due to reduced gastric
acid. Symptoms include watery diarrhea, abdominal pain, and fever.
6. Which is an abnormal finding?
a. Apical pulse in a 22-year-old man
b. Systolic murmur in an 18-week pregnant woman with BMI 38
c. S4 in a 58-year-old obese man with DM
d. BP of 118/65 in a frail 78-year-old man
ANSWER: c. S4 in an obese man with DM
Explanation: S4 is abnormal and suggests diastolic dysfunction (e.g., from hypertension or LV
hypertrophy). An S4 in a young, healthy person is rare. Pregnancy murmurs (b) are often benign
flow murmurs.
, 7. A side effect of azelastine ophthalmic drops for allergic conjunctivitis is:
a. Bitter taste
b. Blurred vision
c. Dry eyes
d. Photophobia
ANSWER: a. Bitter taste
Explanation: Azelastine can drain into the nasopharynx, causing a bitter taste. Systemic
absorption is minimal, but this is a common complaint.
8. Presbycusis is characterized by:
a. Unilateral hearing loss
b. Conductive hearing loss
c. Symmetrical high-frequency hearing loss
d. Sudden deafness
ANSWER: c. Symmetrical high-frequency hearing loss
Explanation: Presbycusis (age-related hearing loss) involves bilateral, progressive high-
frequency loss due to cochlear hair cell degeneration.
9. Do NOT give corticosteroids in combination with:
a. Antihistamines
b. NSAIDs
c. Live vaccines
d. Antibiotics
ANSWER: c. Live vaccines
Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress immunity, increasing the risk of live vaccine-related
infections (e.g., MMR, varicella). Avoid live vaccines in immunocompromised patients.
10. Side effects of levonorgestrel (Plan B) to prevent pregnancy include:
a. Hypertension
b. Weight gain
c. Nausea/vomiting
d. Dizziness
ANSWER: c. Nausea/vomiting
Explanation: Levonorgestrel (emergency contraception) commonly causes nausea/vomiting.
Unlike combined OCPs, it does not typically cause hypertension or weight gain.
