General question bank

Question 1

What can hypokalaemia in hepatic failure cause and why?

Answer 1

Encephalopathy - Hypokalaemia increases the levels of ammonia which is toxic to the brain

Question 2

What are the signs of worsening HF?

Answer 2

Breathlessness
Weight gain - 2kg > in 2 days
Orthopnea (breathlessness relieved by sitting or standing)

Question 3

How do antimuscarinics work and what are their side effects?

Answer 3

Antimuscarinics block the binding of acetylcholine to the muscarinic receptors which inhibits the effects of the parasympathetic NS (rest and digest)

Side effects:
Indigestion
Increased HR
Pupil dilation
Vision blur
Dry mouth
Constipation

Question 4

What are the red flag side effects of azathioprine and why?

Answer 4

Sore throat, infection, unexplained bruising, bleeding

Bone marrow suppression also known as myelotoxicity or myelosuppression, is the decrease in production of cells responsible for providing immunity (leukocytes), carrying oxygen (erythrocytes), and/or those responsible for normal blood clotting (thrombocytes).[1] Bone marrow suppression is a serious side effect of chemotherapy and certain drugs affecting the immune system such as azathioprine.

Question 5

Why is thyroid monitoring required with the treatment of statins?

Answer 5

Thyroid controls your metabolism. In hypothyroidism your metabolism is slowed down which leads to a build up of cholesterol.

Question 6

What are the important target ranges for T1DM and T2DM?
Including driving

Answer 6

T1DM
Waking - 5-7mmol/L
Before food 4-7 mmol/L
After food 5-9 mmol/L
Driving >5mmol/L

T2DM
Single treatment or diet 48mmol/L
Hypo inducing/ >1 drug 53 mmol/L
Intensifying treatment 58mmol/L

Question 7

What is stage 1 hypertension? (Include ABPM)

Answer 7

Stage 1: 140/90 - 160/100
ABPM/HBPM: 135/85 - 150/95

Question 8

What is stage 2 hypertension? (Include ABPM)

Answer 8

Stage 2: 160/100 - 180/120
ABPM/HBPM: >150/95

Question 9

What is stage 3 hypertension? (Include ABPM)

Answer 9

Stage 3: > 180/120

Question 10

How is HTN diagnosed?

Answer 10

ABPM

Question 11

What treatment for HTN after optimal treatment with ACEi/ CCB and thiazide diuretic?

Answer 11

Spironlactone if K+ < 4.5 mmol/L
or
Alpha or Beta blocker if K+ > 4.5 mmol/L

Question 12

What are the treatment targets for HTN?
1. Under 80 years of age
2. Over 80 years of age
3. CKD and DM
4. T2DM
5. T1DM
6. CKD + ACR <70 (album: creatinine ratio)
7. CKD + ACR > 70

Answer 12

1. 140/90
2. 150/90
3. 130/80
4. 130/80
5. 135/85
6. 140/90
7. 130/80

Question 13

What is the importance of ACR

Answer 13

ACR is a test to measure the amount of albumin in your urine (proteinuria) in comparison to creatinine.
Creatinine is a waste product filtered by your kidneys and is found in your urine. Albumin is a type of protein filtered by your kidneys and is found in your blood not urine.

Question 14

What blood pressure reading in pregnancy requires immediate specialist advice

Answer 14

160/110

Question 15

What is the first line treatment in pregnancy and breastfeeding?HTN

Answer 15

In pregnancy
1. Labetolol to achieve a target of 135/85
2. Nifedipine
3. Methyldopa

Breastfeeding
1. Enalapril in white
2. Nifedipine or amlodipine in black

Question 16

What medications are used in the third line treatment of stable angina (RINN)

Answer 16

Ranolazine
Ivabradine
Nitrates
Nicorandil

Question 17

What is the generic name and brand name for short acting insulin?

Answer 17

Generic: Regular, Neutral
Brand: Humulin S

Question 18

What is the generic name and brand name for Intermediate?

Answer 18

Generic: Isophane
Brand: Humulin I

Question 19

What is the generic name and brand name for rapid acting Insulin?
Rapid acting ‘GAL’

Answer 19

Generic name: Glulisine, aspart and lispro

Brand: Novorapid and Humalog

Question 20

What is the generic name and brand name for Long acting insulin?
*Hint LTL

Answer 20

Generic name: Detemir, glargine

Brand name:
Levemir
Tresiba
Lantus