Data interpretation

Question 1

Which NSAID does not cause renal failure and so can be continued in AKI?

Answer 1

Aspirin

Question 2

Acute renal failure - examples of drugs that can accumulate in the blood stream leading to increased drowsiness

Answer 2

Benzodiazepines

Co-codamol (contains codeine - opioid)

Question 3

Two key drugs that are contraindicated/used if extremely necessary in patients with asthma and why?

Answer 3

Beta-blockers and NSAIDs - both can precipitate bronchospam

Question 4

Aspirin and asthma

Answer 4

Aspirin rarely ever worsens asthma - and so is frequently (but cautiously) used.

Also note that if a patient has been taking the drug for years it probably is tolerated and so shouldn’t be causing acute attacks!

Question 5

What is the maximum dose of citalopram that should be given in the elderly (over 65)?

Answer 5

20mg daily.

Question 6

What is a big risk when using colloids?

Answer 6

Anaphylactic reaction

Question 7

How would you manage/change prescription in a patient’s insulin when a rise in blood glucose occurs (e.g. due to steroids)?

Answer 7

Increase in usual insulin dose of 10% would be appropriate to mx transient rise

Question 8

Patient with ALT of 70 (RR 5-35) and is currently on 40mg simvastatin - what is the most appropriate course of action?

Answer 8

Continue the same dose of statin

(BNF: patients with serum transaminases that are raised but less than THREE times the UL of normal should not be excluded from taking a statin. Discontinue if higher than this)