Drug Therapy for Common Conditions: Master Pharmacology for Advanced Practice

Question 1

Which factor is NOT a major determinant of drug dosage in the elderly population?

Accepted Answer

Gender

Answer

Renal function

Answer

Hepatic function

Answer

Body weight

Question 2

For a patient with diabetes mellitus presenting with elevated blood glucose levels, which antidiabetic medication class would be most appropriate as initial treatment?

Accepted Answer

Metformin

Answer

Sulfonylureas

Answer

Insulin

Answer

Thiazolidinediones

Question 3

For stroke prevention, which medication is most commonly prescribed?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Clopidogrel

Answer

Ticagrelor

Question 4

Which finding suggests inadequate warfarin therapy?

Accepted Answer

Decreased INR

Answer

Elevated international normalized ratio (INR)

Answer

Increased bleeding

Answer

No side effects

Question 5

When counseling a patient on proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use, which instruction is most important?

Accepted Answer

Take the medication on an empty stomach.

Answer

Break the capsule open before taking it.

Answer

Take the medication before bed.

Answer

Avoid drinking grapefruit juice while taking the medication.

Question 6

Which of the following factors is NOT known to increase the risk of developing drug-induced torsades de pointes (TdP)?

Accepted Answer

Normal sinus rhythm

Answer

Female gender

Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Use of macrolide antibiotics

Question 7

When administering vancomycin, which laboratory value is of utmost importance to monitor regularly?

Accepted Answer

Serum creatinine

Answer

Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)

Answer

Platelet count

Answer

Aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

Question 8

In a patient with an uncomplicated urinary tract infection, which of the following is an indicator of potential antibiotic resistance?

Accepted Answer

Persistent symptoms after 3 days of antibiotic therapy

Answer

Recurrent infections

Answer

Presence of suprapubic tenderness

Answer

Frequency and urgency of urination

Question 9

Which of the following medications is NOT recommended as a first-line treatment option for acute migraine headaches?

Accepted Answer

Acetaminophen

Answer

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen

Answer

Triptans

Answer

Ergotamines

Question 10

In a patient with a history of alcohol abuse who is prescribed benzodiazepines, which monitoring parameter is of paramount importance?

Accepted Answer

Continuous monitoring for respiratory depression

Answer

Regular liver function tests

Answer

Frequent blood pressure measurements

Answer

Regular assessment of cognitive function

Question 11

In patients with diabetes, which medication class is typically recommended as the first-line treatment for hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Angiotensin-receptor blockers

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Question 12

For pneumonia patients who cannot take oral antibiotics, which route of administration is preferred?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Rectal

Question 13

What is the most frequently reported adverse effect of beta-blockers used to treat hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Slow heart rate (bradycardia)

Answer

Low blood pressure (hypotension)

Answer

Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia)

Answer

High potassium levels (hyperkalemia)

Question 14

Inhaled corticosteroids are commonly used to treat asthma. What is their primary mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Reducing inflammation in the airways

Answer

Opening up the airways

Answer

Increasing mucus production

Answer

Preventing the release of inflammatory substances from cells

Question 15

Which adverse effect is commonly associated with statins, which are used to lower cholesterol?

Accepted Answer

Muscle pain (myalgia)

Answer

Diarrhea

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Headache

Question 16

What is the recommended frequency of monitoring for patients taking methotrexate for rheumatoid arthritis?

Accepted Answer

Monthly complete blood count (CBC) and liver function tests (LFTs)

Answer

Weekly CBC and LFTs

Answer

Yearly CBC and LFTs

Answer

Routine monitoring is not necessary

Question 17

A patient with a history of asthma is prescribed budesonide/formoterol. What is the primary mechanism of action of this medication?

Accepted Answer

Bronchodilation and anti-inflammation

Answer

Anticholinergic and bronchodilation

Answer

Mucolytic and expectorant

Answer

Antibiotic and anti-inflammatory

Question 18

Which of the following is an indication for statin therapy?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of cardiovascular events in high-risk patients

Answer

Treatment of hypertension

Answer

Management of diabetes

Answer

Relief of angina symptoms

Question 19

A patient with a history of atrial fibrillation is prescribed digoxin. What is the critical patient education point regarding this medication?

Accepted Answer

Call the doctor if the pulse rate falls below 60 beats per minute

Answer

Take it with food to prevent nausea

Answer

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication

Answer

Take it exactly as prescribed, even if you feel better

Question 20

Which of the following drugs has the potential to interact with warfarin, increasing its anticoagulant effect?

Accepted Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Metformin

Answer

Levothyroxine

Question 21

A patient with osteoporosis is prescribed alendronate. Which nursing intervention is most important for this patient?

Accepted Answer

Instruct the patient to take the medication with plenty of water and remain upright for at least 30 minutes after taking it

Answer

Monitor the patient for gastrointestinal side effects

Answer

Teach the patient about the importance of calcium and vitamin D intake

Answer

Advise the patient to avoid caffeine and alcohol while taking this medication

Question 22

Which of the following is a frequently encountered side effect of beta-blockers utilized in the treatment of heart failure?

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Question 23

In acute exacerbations of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), administration of which drug is considered the initial therapeutic intervention?

Accepted Answer

Albuterol

Answer

Salmeterol

Answer

Fluticasone

Answer

Ipratropium bromide

Question 24

Thrombolytic therapy is contraindicated in acute ischemic stroke in the presence of which condition?

Accepted Answer

Known history of intracranial hemorrhage

Answer

Blood glucose level <50 mg/dL

Answer

Systolic blood pressure >180 mmHg

Answer

Time from symptom onset >4.5 hours

Question 25

Which drug is primarily employed to alleviate the symptoms associated with Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Levodopa

Answer

Dopamine

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Ropinirole

Question 26

The primary mechanism through which statins exert their therapeutic effect in hyperlipidemia management is:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of HMG-CoA reductase

Answer

Stimulation of lipoprotein lipase

Answer

Antagonism of angiotensin II receptors

Answer

Activation of beta-adrenergic receptors

Question 27

Metformin, commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes, carries a potential risk of which adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acidosis

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hypertension

Question 28

In the nursing care of a patient receiving an anticoagulant, the most critical intervention is:

Accepted Answer

Monitoring for signs of bleeding

Answer

Administering the medication on an empty stomach

Answer

Educating the patient about diet restrictions

Answer

Performing daily coagulation studies

Question 29

Opioid overdose is primarily treated with which class of drugs?

Accepted Answer

Mu-opioid receptor antagonist

Answer

Mu-opioid receptor agonist

Answer

Dopamine agonist

Answer

Adrenergic receptor antagonist

Question 30

In schizophrenia management, the primary objective of drug therapy is:

Accepted Answer

Reduction of symptoms and improvement in social functioning

Answer

Elimination of hallucinations and delusions

Answer

Prevention of future episodes

Answer

Complete cure of the disorder

Question 31

What is the primary mechanism of action of ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of angiotensin-converting enzyme, leading to decreased angiotensin II production

Answer

Activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system

Answer

Vasodilation of peripheral arteries

Answer

Blockade of calcium channels

Question 32

Which of the following medications is NOT typically used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Statins

Answer

Nicotinic acid

Answer

Fibrates

Question 33

Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with long-term corticosteroid use?

Accepted Answer

Osteoporosis

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Tachycardia

Question 34

What is the primary mechanism of action of antipsychotic medications?

Accepted Answer

Blockade of dopamine receptors in the brain

Answer

Activation of serotonin receptors

Answer

Inhibition of acetylcholine release

Answer

Stimulation of GABA receptors

Question 35

Which of the following conditions is NOT generally considered a contraindication to electroconvulsive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Controlled hypertension

Answer

Recent myocardial infarction

Answer

Uncontrolled seizure disorder

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 36

What is the primary goal of palliative care in medical practice?

Accepted Answer

To alleviate suffering, improve quality of life, and provide support

Answer

To cure the underlying disease

Answer

To prolong life expectancy

Answer

To prevent disease progression

Question 37

Which of the following is the first-line medication for the treatment of acute coronary syndrome (ACS)?

Accepted Answer

Aspirin

Answer

Heparin

Answer

Nitroglycerin

Answer

Morphine

Question 38

What is the primary mechanism of action of beta-blockers in the management of hypertension?

Accepted Answer

Blocks beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and contractility

Answer

Increases vascular resistance

Answer

Blocks calcium channels

Question 39

Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with inhaled bronchodilators?

Accepted Answer

Tremor

Answer

Nausea

Answer

Dizziness

Answer

Constipation

Question 40

What is the primary goal of corticosteroid use in the management of asthma?

Accepted Answer

To reduce airway inflammation

Answer

To improve mucociliary clearance

Answer

To suppress immune response

Answer

To dilate bronchioles

Question 41

Which of the following is a key principle guiding anticonvulsant therapy?

Accepted Answer

Utilize the lowest effective dose of anticonvulsant

Answer

Administer anticonvulsants only during seizure episodes

Answer

Avoid polypharmacy in anticonvulsant treatment

Answer

Discontinue anticonvulsants as soon as possible

Question 42

Which of the following is a potential indication for opioid use in palliative care?

Accepted Answer

Severe cancer pain

Answer

Insomnia

Answer

Mild headache

Answer

Anxiety

Question 43

What is a common adverse effect associated with chronic opioid use?

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Agitation

Answer

Insomnia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 44

When selecting antibiotics for the treatment of infections, which factor should be given the highest priority?

Accepted Answer

Susceptibility of the causative organism

Answer

Cost of the antibiotic

Answer

Patient preference

Answer

Availability of the antibiotic