解:如答图,连接$PQ。$
$\because$点$Q(-4,-5)$是双曲线$y = \frac{k}{x}$上的点,
$\therefore k=(-4)\times(-5)=20,$即$y = \frac{20}{x}。$
设$P(x,\frac{20}{x}),$则$S_{四边形PAQB}=S_{\triangle APQ}+S_{\triangle BPQ}=\frac{1}{2}\times5(x + 4)+\frac{1}{2}\times4(\frac{20}{x}+5)=\frac{5}{2}x+\frac{40}{x}+20\geq2\sqrt{\frac{5x}{2}\cdot\frac{40}{x}}+20 = 40。$
$\therefore$四边形$AQBP$的面积的最小值为$40。$