APEA APEA Board Exam Preparation Questions and Answers 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: APEA predictor exams test knowledge of screening guidelines. Per USPSTF, at what age should colorectal cancer screening begin for average-risk adults?
- 45 years (Correct answer)
- 40 years
- 50 years
- 55 years
Correct answer: 45 years
The USPSTF updated its recommendation in 2021 to begin colorectal cancer screening at age 45 for average-risk adults, down from the previous age 50.
Question 2: A core APEA board exam topic is recognizing elder abuse. Which finding most strongly suggests physical abuse in an elderly patient?
- Multiple bruises in various stages of healing (Correct answer)
- Single bruise after a documented fall
- Confusion and memory loss
- Weight loss over 6 months
Correct answer: Multiple bruises in various stages of healing
Multiple bruises in various healing stages suggest repeated trauma inconsistent with accidental injury and is a key indicator of physical abuse.
Question 3: APEA exam prep covers the NP's scope of practice. Which statement about prescriptive authority for NPs is most accurate?
- Prescriptive authority varies by state law and practice agreement requirements (Correct answer)
- All NPs have full independent prescriptive authority nationwide
- NPs can only prescribe non-controlled substances
- Federal law supersedes state law for NP prescribing
Correct answer: Prescriptive authority varies by state law and practice agreement requirements
NP prescriptive authority is governed by state law; some states require collaborative practice agreements while others grant full independent practice.
Question 4: According to APEA board review, which patient has met criteria for metabolic syndrome requiring aggressive cardiovascular risk counseling?
- Waist >40 inches, BP 132/86, fasting glucose 105, triglycerides 155, HDL 38 (Correct answer)
- BMI 28, BP 118/76, fasting glucose 95, triglycerides 145, HDL 52
- Waist 36 inches, BP 140/90, fasting glucose 88, triglycerides 130, HDL 45
- BMI 32, BP 126/82, fasting glucose 100, triglycerides 148, HDL 48
Correct answer: Waist >40 inches, BP 132/86, fasting glucose 105, triglycerides 155, HDL 38
Metabolic syndrome requires 3 of 5 criteria: abdominal obesity, elevated BP, impaired fasting glucose, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL — the first patient meets all 5.
Question 5: APEA emphasizes professionalism. A patient asks the NP to falsify insurance documentation to get approval for a necessary medication. The NP should:
- Refuse and explore legitimate alternative options (Correct answer)
- Comply since the medication is clinically indicated
- Ask the supervising physician to sign instead
- Document the patient's request only without taking action
Correct answer: Refuse and explore legitimate alternative options
Falsifying medical records or insurance documents is fraudulent and unethical regardless of the clinical indication; the NP must refuse and pursue legitimate prior authorization pathways.
Question 6: For the APEA predictor exam, which vaccine is contraindicated in immunocompromised patients due to its composition?
- Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV) (Correct answer)
- Inactivated influenza vaccine (IIV)
- Pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine
- Hepatitis B recombinant vaccine
Correct answer: Live attenuated influenza vaccine (LAIV)
Live attenuated vaccines like LAIV can cause disease in immunocompromised patients and are contraindicated; inactivated vaccines are safe alternatives.
APEA predictor exams test knowledge of screening guidelines.
Per USPSTF, at what age should colorectal cancer screening begin for average-risk adults?