GI Conditions Flashcards
A 32 y/o female pt is using naproxen 250 mg BID for Achilles’ tendon pain. She was a long-distance runner but was forced to stop d/t the painful heel injury. After using the med for about a month, she began to experience stomach upset, and her Dr prescribed misoprostol 100 mcg QID. The Dr stated that he didn’t wish to begin chronic acid suppression therapy in a young female pt d/t recent reports of increased fracture risk. Which of the following statements is correct?
a. This med should be avoided in women of childbearing potential
b. The brand name of misoprostol is Reglan
c. This med can cause constipation
d. This med should be taken on an empty stomach
e. The brand name of misoprostol is Arthrotec
a
Misoprostol can induce abortion and has a BBW for being an abortifacient. It’s safest to avoid misoprostol in women of childbearing age.
Pt adherence to misoprostol therapy is poor d/t significant diarrhea and cramping.
Which of the following are the only PPIs available as IV?
a. Pantoprazole
b. Esomeprazole
c. Lansoprazole
d. Omeprazole
e. Rabeprazole
a, b
Use of PPIs during hospitalization can increase the chances of a pt developing:
a. Pneumonia
b. Stroke
c. Hepatotoxicity
d. Myocardial infarction
e. Anemia
a
What is the MOA of magnesium hydroxide when used for heartburn?
a. Neutralizes pepsin in the stomach via hydroxylation
b. Neutralizes acid in a buffering reaction (producing salt and water)
c. Inhibits (reversibly) the histamine-2 receptors on gastric parietal cells
d. Irreversibly binds to the H+/K+-ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells
e. Blocks the 1st step in acid production high up in the pathway
b
-Magnesium hydroxide is an antacid
-Antacids increase gastric pH by neutralizing acid in a buffering reaction, producing salt and water
Which of the following are lifestyle modifications for GERD?
a. Avoid foods that can aggravate heartburn, including spicy foods, caffeine and chocolate
b. Elevate the head of the bed with a wedge to help nocturnal symptoms
c. Instead of snacking close to bedtime, eat 1 large meal late in the evening
d. Losing weight could significantly improve symptoms (if overweight of recently gained weight)
e. Lie down on the right side immediately after eating
a, b, d
Avoid eating high fat meals within 2-3 hours of bedtime
In addition to lifestyle modifications, which of the following is the best initial tx for GERD?
a. Endoscopy
b. Empirically treat with famotidine x 6 weeks
c. Empirically treat with esomeprazole x 8 weeks
d. Empirically treat with sucralfate x 2 weeks
e. Take scheduled antacids indefinitely
c
An 8-week course of a PPI is recommended for GERD (symptoms occur at least twice weekly)
How should a pharmacist counsel a pt on Dexilant administration?
a. Take 1 capsule daily without regard to meals
b. Take 1 capsule daily - 60 min before breakfast
c. Take 1 capsule daily at bedtime
d. Take 1 capsule daily on an empty stomach
e. Take 1 capsule daily with a high-fat meal
a
All of the following PPIs come in capsules that can be opened and mixed in applesauce EXCEPT:
a. Pantoprazole
b. Lansoprazole
c. Esomeprazole
d. Dexlansoprazole
e. Omeprazole
a
The PPIs dexlansoprazole, esomeprazole, lansoprazole, omeprazole, and rabeprazole have capsules that can be opened and sprinkled in applesauce.
An elderly female has HTN, renal insufficiency (CrCl = 32), mild memory loss, Parkinson disease, and frequent episodes of GERD. She presents at the pharmacy with a prescription for metoclopramide 10 mg QID. Which of the following statements is/are correct?
a. Her Parkinson disease symptoms will worsen
b. Metoclopramide is a preferred tx for GERD
c. She could experience more fatigue and sleepiness
d. Metoclopramide is safe to use at the current dose prescribed
e. Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist
a, c, e
-Should be avoided, at any dose, in patients with Parkinson disease
-Can worsen symptoms of Parkinson disease and has side effects of drowsiness and fatigue
-It’s not a preferred guideline-recommended tx for GERD
-If metoclopramide is used in someone with a CrCl < 40, the dose should be decreased by 50% to reduce the risk of CNS side effects or EPS
A medical resident asks the pharmacist why cimetidine is used less frequently than other histamine-2 receptor blockers. Which responses from the pharmacist are correct?
a. Cimetidine can cause gynecomastia
b. Cimetidine can cause impotence
c. Cimetidine has more drug interactions than other agents in the class
d. Cimetidine is more expensive than other agents in the class
e. Cimetidine is no longer available on the US market
a, b, c
SD is a 35 y/o male seen by his PCP for an annual checkup. SD reports daily stomach pain that’s somewhat relieved by food.
Allergies: Penicillin (rash), ciprofloxacin (numbness)
PMH: None
Meds: Has tried self-treating the pain with OTC Prilosec with no improvement
Tests: Urea breath test (negative)
The provider suspects SD has H. pylori. What is the best indicator that his suspicions are correct based on the info provided?
a. H. pylori occurs more frequently in patients with quinolone allergies
b. The negative urea breath test
c. Eating lessens the pain
d. Eating worsens the pain
e. H. pylori occurs more frequently in patients with penicillin allergies
c
-Usually with H. pylori infections, the pain will be lessened by eating, especially if the ulcer is in the duodenum
-Although SD has a negative urea breath test, he has been using a PPI which can cause a false negative result
-PPIs, antibiotics, and bismuth products must be discontinued 2 weeks prior to testing
Choose the correct statement that best describes H. pylori.
a. It’s an invasive fungi
b. It’s a protozoal organism
c. It’s a G+ cocci seen in pairs
d. It’s a spiral-shaped G- bacterium
e. It’s an oblong-shaped viral organism
d
SD is a 35 y/o male seen by his PCP for an annual checkup. SD reports daily stomach pain that’s somewhat relieved by food.
Allergies: Penicillin (rash), ciprofloxacin (numbness)
PMH: None
Meds: Has tried self-treating the pain with OTC Prilosec with no improvement
Tests: Urea breath test (negative)
SD is diagnosed with H. pylori via endoscopy sampling. Choose the most appropriate therapeutic regimen for SD.
a. Lansoprazole 30 mg BID + Amoxicillin 1000 mg BID + Clarithromycin 500 mg BID x 14 days
b. Lansoprazole 30 mg BID + Clarithromycin 500 mg BID + Metronidazole 500 mg TID x 7 days
c. Lansoprazole 30 mg BID + Bismuth subsalicylate 525 mg QID + Metronidazole 500 mg QID + Tetracycline 500 mg x 7 days
d. Lansoprazole 30 mg BID + Bismuth subsalicylate 300 mg QID + Metronidazole 250 mg QID + Tetracycline 500 mg QID x 14 days
e. Lansoprazole 30 mg daily + Amoxicillin 1000 mg BID + Clarithromycin 500 mg BID + Metronidazole 500 mg BID x 14 days
d
-Regimens with amoxicillin should be avoided because this pt has a penicillin allergy.
-When treating H. pylori, metronidazole may be used for triple therapy if the pt has a penicillin allergy, but the tx duration should be 14 days
A pt who suffers from heartburn was using an OTC H2RA. He went to his Dr complaining of continuing heartburn symptoms. The Dr suggested trying OTC omeprazole. He told the pt that omeprazole is stronger than the med he’s been taking. What is the MOA of omeprazole?
a. Neutralizes pepsin in the stomach via hydroxylation
b. Neutralizes acid in a buffering reaction (producing salt and water)
c. Reversibly the histamine-2 receptors on gastric parietal cells
d. Irreversibly binds to the H+/K+-ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells
e. Blocks the 1st step in acid production high up in the pathway
d
Which of the following statements concerning NSAIDs is correct?
a. All NSAIDs can cause gastric ulcers when used chronically
b. COX-2 selective NSAIDs have an increased risk of GI side effects
c. All NSAIDs should be used cautiously in patients with a hx of CV or renal disease
d. COX-2 selective NSAIDs have an increased risk of causing CV events
e. Antacid use (taken concurrently with the NSAID) will protect the GI lining
a, c, d
The COX-2 selective drugs have less GI risk but increased CV risk
A pregnant female is asking the pharmacist for a recommendation for heartburn symptoms. The symptoms began during the 3rd month of pregnancy (she’s currently 14 weeks pregnant). She states that whenever she eats anything, she has heartburn. She takes a daily prenatal vitamin. She gets adequate calcium from the vitamin and a cheese stick she eats with lunch. Choose the most appropriate recommendation.
a. Tagamet
b. Protonix
c. Tums
d. Misoprostol
e. Metoclopramide
c
Calcium antacids are considered 1st line in pregnancy
What is the MOA of misoprostol?
a. Prokinetic agent
b. Coats the stomach with a protective lining
c. Histamine-2 receptor antagonist
d. Prostaglandin analog
e. PPI
d
Provides gut protection by replacing the GI-protective prostaglandins depleted by chronic NSAID therapy
Metoclopramide is most commonly used for which condition?
a. GERD
b. Gastroparesis
c. Peptic ulcer disease
d. H. pylori-induced ulcers
e. Diarrhea
b
-Metoclopramide accelerates gastric emptying (increases peristalsis)
-It shouldn’t be used routinely for GERD; use is typically reserved for patients with gastroparesis
-It’s dosed before meals and at bedtime
What is the MOA of sucralfate?
a. Dopamine blocker
b. Prokinetic agent
c. Provides a protective barrier for the gut
d. Prostaglandin analog
e. Phosphodiesterase inhibitor
c
What is the physical (mechanical) cause of GERD?
a. The histamine receptors over-secrete acid
b. The parietal cells over-secrete acid
c. Food gets stuck in the esophagus
d. Lower esophageal sphincter tone is reduced
e. The gastric muscle contracts suddenly
d
GERD occurs when the stomach contents leak backward, through the LES, into the esophagus.
KG has chronic constipation despite a fiber-rich diet and adequate fluids. It’s “idiopathic.” She’s had constipation for years and says she’s learned to live with it. As she’s getting older, she experiences occasional heartburn after eating. Choose a good option for KG to help with the heartburn.
a. Milk of Magnesia
b. Maalox
c. Tums
d. Famotidine
e. Omeprazole
a
Milk of Magnesia will provide benefit for both the heartburn and make the stool somewhat softer in a patient with chronic constipation.
What is the MOA of famotidine?
a. Neutralizes pepsin in the stomach via hydroxylation
b. Neutralizes acid in a buffering reaction (producing salt and water)
c. Reversibly the histamine-2 receptors on gastric parietal cells
d. Irreversibly binds to the H+/K+-ATPase pump in gastric parietal cells
e. Blocks the 1st step in acid production high up in the pathway
c
Alarm symptoms in GERD that may warrant additional testing include:
a. Cough, chest pain, bloody stools
b. Unintentional weight loss, dysphagia, hematemesis
c. Hypersalivation, cough, sore throat
d. Regurgitation, heartburn, choking
e. Cough, hypersalivation, acid tast
b
Alarm symptoms: Odynophagia (painful swallowing), dysphagia, frequent N/V, hematemesis, black bloody stools, unintentional weight loss
HL, a pregnant 33 y/o female, comes to your pharmacy with a Rx for Pylera. Her med profile consists of CitraNatal DHA prenatal vitamin. The pt has a noted allergy to codeine and iodine. The pt is symptomatic, and the prescriber confirms that tx will be used. Which of the following components of Pylera could cause tooth discoloration of the baby’s teeth and can interfere with bone development?
a. Bismuth subsalicylate potassium
b. Metronidazole
c. Tetracycline
d. Amoxicillin
e. Clarithromycin
c
Tetracycline isn’t indicated in pregnancy or children < 8 y/o