APEA APEA Differential Diagnosis Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A 68-year-old presents with sudden painless monocular vision loss described as a 'curtain coming down.' The priority diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Retinal detachment

Answer

A curtain or shadow descending over vision is the pathognomonic description of retinal detachment requiring emergency ophthalmology referral.

Question 2

A patient presents with burning epigastric pain relieved by eating, nocturnal awakening with pain, and melena. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Duodenal ulcer

Answer

Duodenal ulcers classically cause pain relieved by eating (food buffers acid), with nocturnal pain and possible GI bleeding manifesting as melena.

Question 3

A 25-year-old woman presents with dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility. Which diagnosis should be investigated?

Accepted Answer

Endometriosis

Answer

The triad of dysmenorrhea, dyspareunia, and infertility in a reproductive-age woman is highly characteristic of endometriosis.

Question 4

A patient with known atrial fibrillation suddenly develops right arm weakness and expressive aphasia. The NP recognizes this as:

Accepted Answer

Cardioembolic stroke

Answer

Atrial fibrillation is the most common cardiac source of emboli; sudden focal neurologic deficits in an AF patient indicate cardioembolic stroke until proven otherwise.

Question 5

An 18-year-old presents with pharyngitis, cervical lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Infectious mononucleosis

Answer

The triad of pharyngitis, posterior cervical lymphadenopathy, and splenomegaly in a young adult is classic for EBV-mediated infectious mononucleosis.

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA APEA Differential Diagnosis Questions and Answers 2