501 21/22 Flashcards
Which of the following is not recommended before the initiation of lithium salts
EGFR
FBC
LFT
Patient body weight
Thyroid function test
LFT
A 38-year-old man presents to the emergency department with a decreased level of consciousness and symptoms of confusion, ataxia and
weakness of the eye muscles. The patient is assessed as a heavy drinker and, due to the risk of Wernicke’s Encephalopathy, requires
treatment with intravenous Pabrinex, two pairs of ampoules three times a day for five days. When the course is complete, the patient will be
prescribed oral supplements.
Which of the following vitamin or mineral deficiencies can result in Wernicke’s Encephalopathy?
A. calcium
B. folate
C. iron
D. magnesium
E. thiamine
Thiamine
which of the following medications can be continued prior to surgery and would
not require any peri-operative advice?
A. estradiol
B. levetiracetam
C. priadel
D. ramipril
E. warfarin
Levetiracetam
Post-operatively, Mrs Y is reviewed by the colorectal surgeon and the dietician. Mrs Y is recovering well and is managing to eat and take
oral medication. The stoma site is healthy and is functioning, but the volume of contents needs managing. It is decided to start the patient
on medication to reduce the stoma output.
Which of the following is the least appropriate pharmacological management in reducing Mrs Y’s stoma output?
A. codeine
B. loperamide
C. metoclopramide
D. octreotide
E. omeprazole
❗ C. Metoclopramide — Least appropriate
It’s a prokinetic — stimulates gastric emptying and gut motility.
The opposite of what you want in someone with high stoma output.
A 45-year-old woman presents to the surgical admissions unit with an abrupt onset of unilateral abdominal pain. She describes the pain as
severe and radiates to the groin. Investigations are carried out and a kidney stone is found on her scan. Following the consultant ward
round the plan in the notes is the following:
o tamsulosin MR 400 micrograms daily until stone passed
o diclofenac 100 mg PR BD PRN
o paracetamol 1 g QDS
She has no known drug allergies.
Which of the following is the most appropriate reason to challenge the planned medication?
A. diclofenac dose is incorrect
B. NSAIDs
are not effective for kidney stones
C. opioids
should be prescribed for pain relief
D. paracetamol
is not effective for kidney stones
E. tamsulosin
should never be prescribed in a female patient
The diclofenac dose is too high and would need to be adjusted to avoid potential side effects. Therefore, A. Diclofenac dose is incorrect is the most appropriate reason to challenge the medication plan.
A 36-year-old man has presented to the surgical admissions unit with severe abdominal pain. After investigating, he is diagnosed with
acute pancreatitis. Prior to this admission he was generally fit and well and has no previous history of pancreatitis. He has no known drug
allergies but has an intolerance to metformin.
His current medication is shown below:
o salbutamol 100 microgram Inh TWO puffs QDS PRN
o lamotrigine 100 mg BD
o dulaglutide 0.75 mg SC Once Weekly (Wednesdays)
o citalopram 20 mg OM
o cetirizine 10 mg OM
o multivitamin (OTC)
The surgical doctor asks if any of his medication could be the possible cause for this admission. You are unable to speak to the patient as
he is off the ward and the GP practice is currently closed.
Which of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s drug induced acute pancreatitis?
A. cetirizine
B. citalopram
C. dulaglutide
D. lamotrigine
E. salbutamol
Dulaglutide
A 91-year-old man has been diagnosed with mild to moderate dementia with lewy bodies and is now starting treatment. He has no known
drug allergies and takes levothyroxine and regular paracetamol.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate to start for this patient?
A. donepezil
B. galantamine
C. memantine
D. olanzapine
E. quetiapine
Donepezil is an acetylcholinesterase inhibitor and is approved for the treatment of mild to moderate Alzheimer’s disease as well as dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB).
Donepezil works by increasing acetylcholine levels in the brain, which helps improve cognitive function, attention, and memory.
While it may worsen hallucinations in some patients, it is generally preferred over other acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (such as galantamine) for DLB because of its more favorable side effect profile.
In DLB, donepezil can help with cognitive symptoms and is a reasonable first-line option for treatment of mild to moderate symptoms.
A 28-year-old man has been accessing treatment for depression via his GP. Alongside talking therapy in a shared care decision, they have
decided to try antidepressant medication therapy. The patient has no known drug allergies and takes no other medication.
Which of the following drug options would be most appropriate to start for this patient?
A. amitriptyline
B. citalopram
C. mirtazapine
D. trazodone
E. venlafaxine
Citalopram
Two weeks ago, Mr W, age 74-years-old, attended A&E with chest pain. He was diagnosed with acute coronary syndrome and started on
the following secondary prevention medication:
o aspirin
o atorvastatin
o bisoprolol
o ramipril
o ticagrelor
Mr W is now back in A&E presenting with shortness of breath and heart palpitations. He is found to have a potassium level of 6.2.
Which of the following medications that the patient has started will have caused this rise in potassium?
A. aspirin
B. atorvastatin
C. bisoprolol
D. ramipril
E. ticagrelor
Ramipril - hyperkalemia
An 82-year-old woman with heart failure is on your ward and the consultant would like to start another treatment for hypertension. She has
no known drug allergies and has a past medical history of heart failure with an ejection fraction of 20%. The consultant would like to start a
calcium channel blocker and has asked for your advice on which one. The patient is taking the following regular medicines:
- furosemide 40 mg OD
- ramipril 2.5 mg OD
- aspirin 75 mg OD
- atorvastatin 20 mg OD
Which of the following calcium channel blockers would be most appropriate for this patient?
A. amlodipine
B. diltiazem
C. felodipine
D. lercanidipine
E. nifedipine
Amlodipine is a dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that lowers blood pressure through its vasodilatory effect without significantly affecting heart contractility or heart rate. This makes it safer for use in heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF).
Amlodipine does not have the negative inotropic effects (i.e., reducing the force of heart muscle contraction) that non-dihydropyridine CCBs have, which could worsen heart failure.
It is widely used in hypertension and angina, and it is generally well-tolerated in patients with heart failure.
A patient in a care home has been diagnosed with atrial fibrillation. The pharmacist has been asked for advice regarding the choice of
anticoagulant. The patient has no known drug allergies and takes memantine 10 mg OD for dementia. The patient has a very poor appetite
and struggles to eat regularly.
Which anticoagulant would be least appropriate for this patient, given his poor appetite?
A. apixaban
B. edoxaban
C. rivaroxaban
D. tinzaparin
E. warfarin
Rivaroxaban (take with food at doses 15mg and 20mg)
A 50-year-old woman attended the lipid clinic today and was started on simvastatin 40 mg tablets. The pharmacist checking the
prescription notices an interaction with one of the medications she is already taking, causing an increased risk of rhabdomyolysis.
Which of the following medications is most likely to cause the increased risk of rhabdomyolysis?
A. amlodipine
B. bisoprolol
C. felodipine
D. losartan
E. lisinopril
Amlodipine
A patient with type 1 diabetes has recently had a chest infection, which was treated in the community. This morning they have been
admitted to the acute admissions ward due to dehydration and a rise in blood glucose. After a blood gas, the patient’s ketones were found
to be 4, suggesting they are in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Which of the following treatments would be most appropriate for the medical team to start?
A. rapid acting insulin such as Humalog (insulin
lispro) given intravenously
B. rapid acting insulin such as Novorapid (insulin aspart)
given intravenously
C. rapid acting insulin such as Novorapid (insulin
aspart) given subcutaneously
D. soluble
insulin such as Actrapid (insulin soluble human) given intravenously
E. soluble insulin such as Actrapid (insulin soluble human) given subcutaneously
In diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), the patient’s body is in a state of severe insulin deficiency, leading to hyperglycemia and ketone production. The main goals of treatment are to correct dehydration, reduce blood glucose levels, and reverse ketosis. The preferred method to manage DKA includes:
Intravenous insulin:
The treatment of choice in DKA is IV insulin to lower blood glucose and stop ketone production.
Soluble insulin (like Actrapid, insulin soluble human) is used because it has a rapid onset when administered intravenously. It allows for better control over glucose levels in a critical setting like DKA.
Insulin should be administered as a continuous IV infusion, usually starting with a loading dose followed by a maintenance infusion
A 68-year-old man has presented at the GP practice with increased thirst. An HbA1C level has been taken and has come back at 65,
diagnosing type 2 diabetes. The patient is otherwise well, has no known drug allergies and takes no other medication.
Which of the following antidiabetic medication would be most appropriate for the GP to start?
A. dapagliflozin 10 mg OD
B. gliclazide 80 mg BD
C. metformin
500 mg OD, increasing to TDS after 2 weeks
D. metformin 500 mg TDS
E. sitagliptin 100 mg OD
C
A 74-year-old woman with type 1 diabetes has been waiting for several hours in an urgent treatment centre to be seen for a swollen leg.
The patient starts to complain of feeling light-headed and sweaty, and suddenly collapses. The nurses treat the patient for hypoglycaemia.
Which of the following glucose containing products would be the most appropriate to give this patient?
A. 2-3 teaspoonfuls of sugar in water
B. 20 mL oral glucose liquid
C. 100 mL of pure fruit juice
D. two glucose tablets
E. two tubes
of glucose 40% gel
In this case, the patient is experiencing hypoglycaemia, and the management involves giving a fast-acting glucose product. Glucose gel (40%) is highly concentrated and is specifically formulated to treat hypoglycaemia in conscious patients.
Glucose 40% gel has several advantages in this situation:
It can be easily administered without the need for chewing, which is particularly helpful for patients who might have difficulty swallowing or have limited time.
The gel form allows for quick absorption through the buccal mucosa, rapidly raising blood glucose levels.
Two tubes typically contain enough glucose to treat mild to moderate hypoglycaemia, as each tube contains around 15-20 grams of glucose
A 74-year-old man attends the GP practice feeling lethargic, with low mood and impaired concentration. The GP suspects hypothyroidism.
Which of the following T4 (free thyroxine) and TSH (thyroid stimulating hormone) results would support a diagnosis of
hypothyroidism?
A. TSH high, T4 high
B. TSH high,
T4 low
C. TSH low, T4 high
D. TSH low, T4 low
E. TSH normal, T4 high
High TSH, Low T4
A 29-year-old woman has been diagnosed with epilepsy and started on sodium valproate. You have been asked to provide advice
regarding contraception and pregnancy prevention.
Which of the following options would be the most appropriate choice of contraception for this patient?
A. barrier method
B. combined oral contraceptive pill
C. intra-uterine
device
D. natural family planning method
E. progesterone-only pill
IUD
Mr N has been struggling with chronic back pain despite various analgesic combinations. Mr N has now been admitted to hospital. He
explains that he has taking tramadol 50 mg capsules, two four times a day, and morphine sulphate 10 mg/5 mL oral solution, at a dose of 5
mL four times a day.
A decision is made with Mr N to streamline his treatment and try modified release morphine tablets, with morphine 10 mg/5 mL liquid for
breakthrough pain as required.
Given that tramadol 100 mg is equivalent to morphine PO 10 mg, which of the following dosing schedules would be most
appropriate for Mr N?
A. morphine MR 20 mg BD and morphine 10 mg/5 mL oral solution 5 mg PRN
B. morphine MR 40 mg BD and morphine 10 mg/5 mL oral solution
5 mg PRN
C. morphine MR 40 mg BD and morphine
10 mg/5 mL oral solution 10 mg PRN
D. morphine MR 60 mg BD and morphine 10 mg/5 mL oral solution
10 mg PRN
E. morphine MR 80 mg BD and morphine 10 mg/5 mL oral solution
10 mg PRN
morphine MR 40 mg BD and morphine 10 mg/5 mL oral solution 10 mg PRN
A family require chlorphenamine liquid to treat an allergic reaction in the two children. The older child is 9-years-old and requires
chlorphenamine at a dose of 2 mg every 6 hours, continued throughout the night. The younger child is 3-years-old and required a dose of
1 mg every 4 hours, also continued throughout the night. The 150 mL bottles available to buy over-the-counter contain 2 mg/5 mL.
How many bottles will the family require for 5 days treatment for both children?
A. 1 bottle
B. 2 bottles
C. 3 bottles
D. 4 bottles
E. 5 bottles
2 bottles
A 3-year-old baby requires treatment for a lower respiratory chest infection. The GP has asked for your advice regarding which antibiotic to
prescribe.
Which of the following antibiotic would be least appropriate for this patient?
A. amoxicillin
B. clarithromycin
C. co-amoxiclav
D. doxycycline
E. erythromycin
Doxy
A patient has been admitted to your ward with confusion and
agitation. The patient is taking the following medications:
-
aspirin 75 mg OD
-
atorvastatin 80 mg ON
-
bisoprolol 2.5 mg OD
-
sertraline 50 mg OD
-
paracetamol 1000 mg QDS
-
tramadol 50 mg QDSPRN
The patient had only recently had her dose of tramadol increased
and so a diagnosis of serotonin syndrome is made.
Which of the
following medications, along with tramadol, is most likely to have caused
serotonin syndrome?
A. aspirin
B. atorvastatin
C. bisoprolol
D. paracetamol
E. sertraline
Sertraline
A GP calls you for advice regarding a 48-year-old man with a 2 week history of a symmetrical rash bilaterally of their axillae. The GP informs
you the patient has previously been diagnosed with flexural psoriasis by dermatology and they can see the patient has previously been
prescribed five different topical treatments for their skin, although it is unclear which were previously prescribed for flexural psoriasis.
Using the information above, which of the following topical treatment options would be least appropriate for the initial
management of flexural psoriasis?
A. clobetasol propionate 0.05%
cream BD
B. clobetasone
0.05% with oxytetracycline 3% and nystatin 100,000 units/gram cream BD
C. coal tar 5%
lotion TDS
D. hydrocortisone
1% with miconazole 2% cream BD
E. tacalcitol 4
microgram/g ointment OD
A
You are asked to review a 64-year-old woman following an incidental finding of borderline prolonged QTc interval (453 milliseconds) on an
otherwise normal ECG. She has no personal or family history of long QT. She has a medical history of overactive bladder, pruritic eczema,
hypertension and anxiety. Her blood pressure on examination is 136/88 mmHg. She is not currently taking any acute medication and her
repeat prescription is as follows:
o Felodipine 10 mg once daily
o Solifenacin 5 mg once daily
o Mirabegron 50 mg once daily
o Hydroxyzine 25 mg at night
o Citalopram 20 mg once daily
o Cetraben cream apply at least twice daily
Which of the following interventions would you be least likely to consider during the review?
A. reduce
citalopram or switch to an alternative SSRI
B. reduce felodipine or switch
to an alternative antihypertensive
C. stop
solifenacin
D. stop
mirabegron
E. stop
hydroxyzine or switch to an alternative antihistamine
The least likely intervention would be B. Reduce felodipine or switch to an alternative antihypertensive, as felodipine is not associated with significant QT prolongation and does not pose a particular risk in this case. The other options involve medications with more established associations with QT prolongation or other potential risks in this context.