APEA 3P Exam Prep - Health
Promotion Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations
A 58-year-old patient has an annual exam. A fecal occult blood test was used to
screen for colon cancer. Three were ordered on separate days. The first test was
positive; the last two were negative. How should the nurse practitioner proceed?
Rescreen in one year.
Perform a fourth exam.
Examine him for hemorrhoids.
Refer him for a colonoscopy.
A fecal occult blood test is performed multiple times on different days because
tumors don’t consistently excrete blood. The reason multiple tests are performed is
to increase the likelihood of identifying blood. The patient needs to have a
colonoscopy performed for examination of the colon. The standard of practice is to
refer all positive colon cancer screens for colonoscopy.
A criterion for medication choice in an older adult is:
long half-life to prevent frequent dosing.
dosing of 3-4 times daily.
pill color and shape for easy identification.
half-life less than 24 hours.
Many factors go into prescribing for older adults. Some important safety criteria
include established efficacy, low adverse event profile, and half-life less than 24
hours with no active metabolites. Active metabolites would produce a longer effect
of the drug in the patient. Dosing of a medication three to four times daily invites
dosing and medication errors. Once- or twice-daily dosing is ideal. Pill color and
shape is never a criterion for prescribing. Patients who are cognitively able will
recognize the color, shape, and size of pills they take on a regular basis.
What should the nurse practitioner recommend to any elder taking medications?
Have someone check your medications prior to taking them
, Never take your medicine on an empty stomach
Keep a list of all of your medications with you.
Have a pharmacist review your list once a year
A list of current medications should be kept with each patient and carried with him,
especially when healthcare visits are scheduled. Many older adults can take
medications without supervision. Many medications should be taken without food
(thyroid supplementation for example). A pharmacist can evaluate the list of
medications for drug-drug interactions, but the pharmacist will not know the
diagnoses and other reasons for choosing the medications.
What temperature should be set on a water heater in the home of an older adult to
prevent burn injury?
Less than 110 degrees
Less than 120 degrees
Less than 130 degrees
Less than 140 degrees
Hot water heaters are common sources of burns in homes of older adults and very
young patients. Many safety organizations in the United States believe that burns
can be prevented if hot water heaters are set to less than 120° F.
What is the recommendation from American Cancer Society for assessment of the
prostate gland in a man who is 45 years old and of average risk for development of
prostate cancer? He should have:
screening starting at 50 years of age.
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) now.
PSA and digital rectal exam now.
digital rectal exam only.
At age 50 years, males of average prostate cancer risk should have a PSA
measurement with or without a digital rectal exam (DRE). If they are deemed to be
of high risk because of a family history (first-degree relative with prostate cancer
before age 65 years) or race (African American), screening discussions should take
place at age 40-45 years. If the initial PSA is > 2.5 ng/mL, annual testing should
take place. If the initial PSA is < 2.5 ng/mL, test every 2 years.
Promotion Questions with Correct
Answers and Explanations
A 58-year-old patient has an annual exam. A fecal occult blood test was used to
screen for colon cancer. Three were ordered on separate days. The first test was
positive; the last two were negative. How should the nurse practitioner proceed?
Rescreen in one year.
Perform a fourth exam.
Examine him for hemorrhoids.
Refer him for a colonoscopy.
A fecal occult blood test is performed multiple times on different days because
tumors don’t consistently excrete blood. The reason multiple tests are performed is
to increase the likelihood of identifying blood. The patient needs to have a
colonoscopy performed for examination of the colon. The standard of practice is to
refer all positive colon cancer screens for colonoscopy.
A criterion for medication choice in an older adult is:
long half-life to prevent frequent dosing.
dosing of 3-4 times daily.
pill color and shape for easy identification.
half-life less than 24 hours.
Many factors go into prescribing for older adults. Some important safety criteria
include established efficacy, low adverse event profile, and half-life less than 24
hours with no active metabolites. Active metabolites would produce a longer effect
of the drug in the patient. Dosing of a medication three to four times daily invites
dosing and medication errors. Once- or twice-daily dosing is ideal. Pill color and
shape is never a criterion for prescribing. Patients who are cognitively able will
recognize the color, shape, and size of pills they take on a regular basis.
What should the nurse practitioner recommend to any elder taking medications?
Have someone check your medications prior to taking them
, Never take your medicine on an empty stomach
Keep a list of all of your medications with you.
Have a pharmacist review your list once a year
A list of current medications should be kept with each patient and carried with him,
especially when healthcare visits are scheduled. Many older adults can take
medications without supervision. Many medications should be taken without food
(thyroid supplementation for example). A pharmacist can evaluate the list of
medications for drug-drug interactions, but the pharmacist will not know the
diagnoses and other reasons for choosing the medications.
What temperature should be set on a water heater in the home of an older adult to
prevent burn injury?
Less than 110 degrees
Less than 120 degrees
Less than 130 degrees
Less than 140 degrees
Hot water heaters are common sources of burns in homes of older adults and very
young patients. Many safety organizations in the United States believe that burns
can be prevented if hot water heaters are set to less than 120° F.
What is the recommendation from American Cancer Society for assessment of the
prostate gland in a man who is 45 years old and of average risk for development of
prostate cancer? He should have:
screening starting at 50 years of age.
prostate-specific antigen (PSA) now.
PSA and digital rectal exam now.
digital rectal exam only.
At age 50 years, males of average prostate cancer risk should have a PSA
measurement with or without a digital rectal exam (DRE). If they are deemed to be
of high risk because of a family history (first-degree relative with prostate cancer
before age 65 years) or race (African American), screening discussions should take
place at age 40-45 years. If the initial PSA is > 2.5 ng/mL, annual testing should
take place. If the initial PSA is < 2.5 ng/mL, test every 2 years.
