APEA APEA Differential Diagnosis Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 32-year-old woman presents with fatigue, cold intolerance, weight gain, and constipation. Which diagnosis is most likely?

Accepted Answer

Hypothyroidism

Answer

Depression

Answer

Anemia

Answer

Cushing syndrome

Question 2

A 55-year-old male smoker presents with hemoptysis, weight loss, and a new cough. The NP's first priority differential is:

Accepted Answer

Lung cancer

Answer

Pulmonary tuberculosis

Answer

Bronchiectasis

Answer

COPD exacerbation

Question 3

A young woman presents with episodic headache, diaphoresis, and hypertension with heart palpitations. Which rare diagnosis must be considered?

Accepted Answer

Pheochromocytoma

Answer

Primary hypertension

Answer

Panic disorder

Answer

Migraine with aura

Question 4

A patient presents with unilateral facial pain, vesicular rash along the jaw line, and ear pain. The most likely diagnosis is:

Accepted Answer

Herpes zoster (shingles)

Answer

Trigeminal neuralgia

Answer

Dental abscess

Answer

Bell's palsy

Question 5

A 40-year-old presents with symmetric joint pain, morning stiffness lasting over 1 hour, and fatigue. Which diagnosis best fits this presentation?

Accepted Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis

Answer

Osteoarthritis

Answer

Psoriatic arthritis

Answer

Gout

Question 6

A diabetic patient presents with a painful, beefy-red rash with satellite lesions in the skin folds. The most likely causative organism is:

Accepted Answer

Candida albicans

Answer

Staphylococcus aureus

Answer

Tinea corporis

Answer

Herpes simplex