Verified Answers – Updated 2025-2026
INTRODUCTION:
This document provides the most recent 2025-2026 update of APEA
Predictor Test 1, featuring complete questions with expert-verified
correct answers. It includes detailed coverage of clinical topics such
as cardiology, endocrinology, pediatrics, women’s health,
dermatology, infectious diseases, pharmacology, ethics, and
professional practice. The material is presented in multiple-choice
Q&A format with explanations, making it a reliable tool for nurse
practitioner students to assess readiness and strengthen preparation
for certification exams.
EXAMS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS:
A 48 y/o female complains of pain and stiffness in her right hip and
knee that is mild on awakening in the morning, get worse as the
day progresses and is relived with hot baths and ibuprofen.
Crepitus is palpated on range of motion of the knee. Signs of
inflammation are notably absent. What is the most likely
diagnosis?.
Gout
,Osteoarthritis (OA)
Rheumatoid arthritis (RA)
d. Osteoporosis --- correct answer ---Osteoarthritis (OA)
Explanation: Rheumatoid arthritis is characterized by several joint
deformities, usually bilaterally symmetrical. RA is characterized by
inflammatory processes, while OA is not. RA and OA are chronic
conditions. Gout is characterized by acute exacerbations related to
a defect in purine metabolism, increased uric acid production, or
decreased uric acid excretion.
A 7-year old female patient presents with severe injuries that are
inconsistent with the explanation given for them. The nurse
practitioner questions the mother about abuse. She admits that her
husband, the child's father, beat the child. How should the nurse
practitioner proceed?
a. Inform the mother that the abuse must be reported to child
protection authorities.
Counsel the mother that if it happens again it will be reported to
child protection service.
Ask the child what she did to cause the punishment Refer the family
to the National Domestic Violence hotline --- correct answer ---
,Inform the mother that the abuse must be reported to child
protection authorities
Explanation: An awareness of all the unique presentations of child
abuse, subjective or objective, physical, sexual, or neglect, is
essential for NPs. Objective findings, such as broken bones, burns,
and bruises, may be as a result of an intentional injury from
physical abuse or from an unintentional injury as a result of
neglect. Both must be considered. Repeated visits to the emergency
department, frequent or suspicious injuries, or bilateral or multiple
healing fractures are often indicators of physical abuse. Once the
diagnosis of child abuse has been made, the primary role of the NP
is to ensure the child is safe. If the NP suspect that a child is
undergoing abuse, it's critical to report it—and to continue
reporting each separate incidence if it continues to recur.
A 1-month-old presents with reported recurrent diarrhea,
screaming, and drawing up of the legs followed by periods of
lethargy. On physical examination, a "sausage-like" mass in the
upper right quadrant of the distended abdomen. Which of the
following is the most likely diagnosis?
Volvulus
Crohn's disease
Foreign body in the GI tract
Intussusception --- correct answer ---Intussusception
, explanation: Intussusception is one of the most common causes of
abdominal obstruction in children prior 2 years of age; is best
described as a portion of the intestine which telescopes into a more
distal intestinal segment. The classic triad of intussusception
include crampy (intermittent, also known as colicky) abdominal
pain, vomiting, and bloody stools. The patient may pull up his knees
with crying. The patient may develop vomiting with bilious emesis.
Progressive lethargy/altered level of consciousness and pallor is
common. The etiology of this lethargic presentation is not known,
but it tends to occur in younger infants. As intussusception
progresses, a palpable, sausage-shape mass may develop. Some
hypothesize that this is due to release of endogenous opioids or
endotoxins released from ischemic bowel. Intussusception in a child
presenting with lethargy is often difficult to diagnose since other
causes of lethargy such as dehydration, hypoglycemia, sepsis, toxic
ingestion, post-ictal state, etc., must also be considered. Ultrasound
is the preferred diagnostic test. Enemas is considered the first line
of treatment prior surgery. Volvulus occurs more frequently in
middle-aged and elderly men. Crohn's is most often diagnosed
between 13 - 30 years of age.
A middle-aged female complains of insomnia, night sweats, feeling
intensely hot, emotional lability, extreme nervousness and
impatience. The LEAST likely cause of her symptoms is
a. Thyrotoxicosis