common knowledge

Question 1

What is the maximum rate at which IV potassium can be prescribed at?

Answer 1

10 mmol/hour

Question 2

Co-amoxiclav & tazocin both contain what type of antibiotic class?

Answer 2

Penicillin

Question 3

Name some side effects of steroids:
S
T
E
R
O
I
D
S

Answer 3

S - stomach ulcers
T - thin skin
E - oEdema
R - right & left heart failure
O - osteoporosis
I - infection
D - diabetes (or more commonly, hyperglycaemia)
S - cushings Syndrome

Question 4

Name some contraindicatations of NSAIDS:
N
S
A
I
D

Answer 4

N - no urine (eg, renal failure)
S - systolic dysfunction (eg, heart failure)
A - asthma
I - indigestion
D - dyscrasia (clotting abnormalities)

Question 5

Name a common side effect of ACE-inhibitors:

Answer 5

Dry cough

Question 6

Name a common side effect of beta blockers when given to asthmatics:

Answer 6

Wheeze

Question 7

Name a common side effect of calcium channel blockers:

Answer 7

Peripheral oedema

Question 8

Name a common side effect of thiazide diuretics (eg bendroflumethiazide):

Answer 8

Gout

Question 9

Name a common side effect of potassium-sparing diuretics (eg spironolactone) that isn’t hyperkalaemia:

Answer 9

Gynaecomastia

Question 10

Name a potential complication of diuretics in general

Answer 10

Renal failure

Question 11

With a normal potassium level originally, how many mmol of potassium does a patient require each day?

Answer 11

1 mmol/kg/day

Question 12

As a general rule, how many litres of IV fluids are required per 24 hours for an:
a. adult
b. elderly patient

Therefore, what rate should each bag of IV fluids be prescribed at for the above 2 groups of patients?

Answer 12

a. 3L per 24 hours
~ 8 hourly bags
b. 2L per 24 hours
~ 12 hourly bags

Question 13

What is the general prophylactic dose of dalteparin/day?

Dalteparin = a LMWH

Answer 13

5000 units subcut (s/c)

Question 14

What is a contraindication to compression stockings (eg TEDs)?
~ why?

Answer 14

Peripheral artery disease
~ acute limb ischaemic can develop

Question 15

Metoclopramide should be avoided in patients with what condition?

Answer 15

Parkinsons disease

Question 16

Which antiemetic should be avoided in patients with parkinsons disease?

Answer 16

Metoclopramide (it exacerbates symptoms)

Question 17

The nurse asks you to prescribe IV/oral cyclizine for a nauseated patient. What is the dose and rate of cyclizine?
~ In which condition would you want to avoid prescribing cyclizine?

Answer 17

Cyclizine 50mg 8 hourly IM or oral
~ avoid in heart failure as it can cause fluid retention

Question 18

If a patient is prescribed co-codamol 30/500, how much codeine and paracetamol are they recieving?

Answer 18

30mg codeine
500mg paracetamol

Question 19

What is the dose of paracetamol for:
a. patient over 50kg
b. patient under 50kg

Answer 19

a. 1g 6 hourly (max = 4g/day)
b. 500mg 6 hourly (max = 2g/day)

Question 20

Name some common drugs that are enzyme inducers:
PC BRAS

Answer 20

P - phenytoin
C - carbamazepine
B - barbiturates
R - rifampicin
A - alcohol (chronic excess)
S - sulphonylureas

Question 21

Name some common drugs that are enzyme **inhitibitors:
AO DEVICES **

Answer 21

A - allopurinol
**O **- omeprazole
D - disulfiram
E - erythromycin
V - valproate (sodium)
I - isoniazid
C - ciprofloxacin
E - ethanol (acute intoxication)
S - sulphonamides

Question 22

**If a drug solution is ‘1%’, how many grams of the medication are present and in how many mL’s of solution?

Answer 22

1% = 1g in 100mL

Question 23

If a drug solution is ‘1 in 1000’, how many grams of the medication are present and in how many mL’s of solution?

Answer 23

1 in 1000 = 1g in 1000mL

Question 24

Name 2 ADR’s for ACEi:

Answer 24

Dry cough
Hyperkalaemia

Question 25

Name a common ADR of amlodipine:

Answer 25

Oedema

Question 26

Name 2 common ADR’s of amiodarone:

Answer 26

Pulmonary fibrosis
Thyroid dysfunction

Question 27

Name a common ADR of carbamazepine:

Answer 27

Hyponatraemia

Question 28

Name a common ADR of clozapine:

Answer 28

Agranulocytosis

Question 29

Name a common ADR for gliclazide:

Answer 29

Hypoglycaemia

Question 30

Name a common ADR for metformin:

Answer 30

Lactic acidosis

Question 31

Name a common ADR for statins:

Answer 31

Myalgia (muscle aches)

Question 32

A patient who has recently been started on a statin has their LFT’s checked and is found to have derangement. What is the maximum threshold of LFT derangement before a statin should be discontinued?

Answer 32

3x the upper limit of normal

Question 33

What should be monitored after starting an ACEi? (2)

Answer 33

Renal function
Electrolytes (particularly K+)

Question 34

How long before an elective surgery should contraceptives be stopped?

Answer 34

4 weeks

Question 35

How long before an elective surgery should antiplatelets (eg aspirin) be stopped?

Answer 35

1 week

Question 36

Name the analgesic medications in the WHO pain ladder:
1. (2)
2. (2)
3. (1)

Answer 36

1. Paracetamol / NSAIDS (incl. aspirin)
2. Codeine / dihydrocodeine
3. Morphine

Question 37

With a normal sodium level originally, how many mmol of sodium does a patient require each day?

Answer 37

1mmol/kg/day

Question 38

With a normal chloride level originally, how many mmol of chloride does a patient require each day?

Answer 38

1mmol/kg/day

Question 39

When prescribing in palliative care, if the patient is on 60mg of morphine/day, what would their breakthrough doses be?

Answer 39

10mg morphine - 1/6 of the total dose