APEA 3P EXAM ELABORATIONS QUESTIONS AND
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS|| GRADED A+|| LATEST
UPDATE 2025/26
Most common type of skin cancer in USA -CORRECT ANSWER Skin cancer
Most common type of skin cancer -CORRECT ANSWER basal cell carcinoma
basal cell carcinoma symptoms -CORRECT ANSWER Appearance varies; smooth,
shiny bump, pink to pearly white
Basal cell carcinoma common locations -CORRECT ANSWER cheeks, nose, face,
neck, arms, back
basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER biopsy. if not an
option, refer to derm
Actinic keratosis -CORRECT ANSWER Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
,Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes skin to ooze,
crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
squamous cell cancer -CORRECT ANSWER chronic red scaly rough textured lesion w/
irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
Squamous cell carcinoma common locations -CORRECT ANSWER rims of ears, lips,
nose, face and top of hands
precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer -CORRECT ANSWER actinic keratosis
squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by? -CORRECT ANSWER biopsy gold standard. if
biopsy is not an option, refer to dermatology .
Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma) -CORRECT ANSWER
Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin, chronic exposure to UV
light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family hx for skin cancer
,Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE) -CORRECT ANSWER asymmetry (shape/uneven
texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
Acral lengtiginous melanoma -CORRECT ANSWER Most common type of melanoma in
dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a changing spot or
mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
seborrheic keratosis -CORRECT ANSWER soft, round, wart-like growth that is light tan
to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria -CORRECT ANSWER Streptococcus pneumoniae- most
common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
, Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad) -CORRECT ANSWER High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-colored lesions (purpura)
which are non-blanchable
Is bacterial meningitis a reportable disease -CORRECT ANSWER yes!
Treatment for Bacterial meningitis-patient -CORRECT ANSWER IV Abx ASAP,
resp/droplet iso for first 24-48 hrs, hydrate (low maintenance after initial fluid correction),
Maintain ventilation and reduce increased intra cranial pressure if present
(dexamethosone(to reduce inflammation, mannitol to diurese the brain), low stim
environment, tx complications that may arrive and support family
Treatment for bacterial meningitis-close encounter -CORRECT ANSWER Close
contacts should be treated w/ rifampin 600 mg q 12 hours x 2 days
**Rifampin changes urine color to reddish orange and can stain contacts
**AVOID RIFAMPIN IN PREGNANCY
WELL DETAILED ANSWERS|| GRADED A+|| LATEST
UPDATE 2025/26
Most common type of skin cancer in USA -CORRECT ANSWER Skin cancer
Most common type of skin cancer -CORRECT ANSWER basal cell carcinoma
basal cell carcinoma symptoms -CORRECT ANSWER Appearance varies; smooth,
shiny bump, pink to pearly white
Basal cell carcinoma common locations -CORRECT ANSWER cheeks, nose, face,
neck, arms, back
basal cell carcinoma diagnosis gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER biopsy. if not an
option, refer to derm
Actinic keratosis -CORRECT ANSWER Precursor to squamous cell carcinoma
numerous dry, round and pink to red lesions w/ rough and scaly texture
--> does not heal, slow growing in sun exposed areas
Actinic keratosis diagnosis gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER Biopsy.
if not an option, refer to derm
,Actinic keratosis treatment gold standard -CORRECT ANSWER small- cryotherapy
large- number 5-FU (5-flouracil aka efudex). 5-FU medication Causes skin to ooze,
crust, scab and be red
**5-flouracil/ efudex-wear sunscreen!!**
squamous cell cancer -CORRECT ANSWER chronic red scaly rough textured lesion w/
irregular borders
crusting or bleeding may be present
Squamous cell carcinoma common locations -CORRECT ANSWER rims of ears, lips,
nose, face and top of hands
precursor lesion to squamous cell cancer -CORRECT ANSWER actinic keratosis
squamous cell carcinoma diagnosis by? -CORRECT ANSWER biopsy gold standard. if
biopsy is not an option, refer to dermatology .
Risk factors for skin cancer(melanoma and both non-melanoma) -CORRECT ANSWER
Blistering sunburn as a child, history of sunburns, light skin, chronic exposure to UV
light (sunlight/tanning beds), moles, family hx for skin cancer
,Melanoma symptoms (ABCDE) -CORRECT ANSWER asymmetry (shape/uneven
texture)
border (irregular/notched/blurred)
color (variegated colors from black, blue, dark to light brown)
diameter (size >6mm size of pencil eraser or larger)
evolving (changes in color/size/shape)
may be itchy
Acral lengtiginous melanoma -CORRECT ANSWER Most common type of melanoma in
dark skinned individuals (blacks & asians)
--> look for longitudinal brown to black bands under the nailbed. a changing spot or
mole in the palms, or the soles of the feet
seborrheic keratosis -CORRECT ANSWER soft, round, wart-like growth that is light tan
to black and looks pasted on
asymptomatic &benign
Bacterial Meningitis Bacteria -CORRECT ANSWER Streptococcus pneumoniae- most
common strain
Haemophilus influenzae
Neisseria meningitidis
Escherichia coli
*others
, Bacterial meningitis symptoms (Classic Triad) -CORRECT ANSWER High fever
Nuchal rigidity
rapid change in mental status w/ headache
Triad=neck up
erythematous spot-like rash (petechiae) ecchymosis to purple-colored lesions (purpura)
which are non-blanchable
Is bacterial meningitis a reportable disease -CORRECT ANSWER yes!
Treatment for Bacterial meningitis-patient -CORRECT ANSWER IV Abx ASAP,
resp/droplet iso for first 24-48 hrs, hydrate (low maintenance after initial fluid correction),
Maintain ventilation and reduce increased intra cranial pressure if present
(dexamethosone(to reduce inflammation, mannitol to diurese the brain), low stim
environment, tx complications that may arrive and support family
Treatment for bacterial meningitis-close encounter -CORRECT ANSWER Close
contacts should be treated w/ rifampin 600 mg q 12 hours x 2 days
**Rifampin changes urine color to reddish orange and can stain contacts
**AVOID RIFAMPIN IN PREGNANCY
