Questions 201-240 Flashcards
- A 45-year-old male with hyperlipidemia presents to your office for follow-up. Because of his cardiovascular risk level he has been on moderate-intensity statin therapy with atorvastatin (Lipitor) for the past 6 months. His HDL-cholesterol level at this visit is 29 mg/dL.
Which one of the following steps is most appropriate?
A) Continue the statin
B) Add fibrates
C) Add niacin
D) Supplement with fish oil
ANSWER: A
Drug therapy aimed at increasing HDL-cholesterol levels when added to a statin treatment does not decrease a patient’s cardiovascular risk. Such agents have no effect on all-cause mortality, cardiovascular mortality, or the risk of stroke (SOR B). Current guidelines for treatment of hyperlipidemia are based on individual cardiovascular risk stratification rather than LDL-cholesterol levels, and recommend low-, medium-, or high-intensity therapy with statins, based on an individual patient’s risk.
- A 65-year-old asymptomatic female is found to have extensive sigmoid diverticulosis on screening colonoscopy. She asks whether there are any dietary changes she should make.
In addition to increasing fiber intake, which one of the following would you recommend?
A) Limiting intake of dairy products
B) Limiting intake of spicy foods
C) Limiting intake of wheat flour
D) Limiting intake of nuts
E) No dietary limitations
ANSWER: E
Patients with diverticulosis should increase dietary fiber intake or take fiber supplements to slow progression of the diverticular disease. Avoiding nuts, corn, popcorn, and small seeds has not been shown to prevent complications of diverticular disease. Limiting intake of dairy products, spicy foods, and wheat flour would be appropriate for other gastrointestinal problems such as lactose intolerance, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and celiac disease.
- A 32-year-old male with type 1 diabetes mellitus presents to your office with a tender, scaly lesion on his anterior left shin. It is a 5-cm reddish-brown plaque with well-defined borders and what appears to be yellowish deposits in the center.
You perform a punch biopsy of the lesion to confirm your diagnosis of
A) granuloma annulare
B) necrobiosis
C) sarcoidosis
D) xanthoma
ANSWER: B
Necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum is seen in 0.3% of patients with diabetes mellitus or impaired glucose tolerance. The lesions may precede the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus by several years. The sharply demarcated reddish-brown plaque with central yellow deposits in the pretibial area is characteristic and a biopsy is not always necessary. Topical corticosteroids are sometimes helpful.
Granuloma annulare and sarcoidosis are unlikely on the leg. Early lesions of necrobiosis lipoidica diabeticorum can be confused with granuloma annulare or sarcoidosis, however, and a biopsy may be helpful. While xanthomas can be flat plaques up to several centimeters in size, they usually occur on flexor surfaces of the limbs along with the trunk and face. They lack the reddish-brown outer portion of the lesions described here.
- Pioglitazone (Actos) has been found to be associated with which one of the following adverse effects?
A) Steatohepatitis
B) Fluid retention
C) Cognitive dysfunction
D) Increased stroke risk
E) Increased all-cause mortality
ANSWER: B
Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) improve hyperglycemia by improving insulin resistance and by maintaining or improving B-cell secretory function. One of the side effects of TZDs is that they can cause fluid retention, especially in patients with cardiac and renal disease. This may lead to weight gain and peripheral edema. Because of this effect, TZDs are contraindicated in patients with New York Heart Association class III or IV heart failure. They can also reduce bone mineral density and are associated with a higher risk of non-osteoporotic bone fractures. In addition to their ability to decrease glucose levels, however, there have been some other favorable effects noted with their use. Clinical trials have shown that treatment with pioglitazone resulted in a significant reduction in the composite outcome of nonfatal acute myocardial infarction, stroke, and all-cause mortality. They may also help prevent central nervous system insulin resistance–related cognitive dysfunction. TZDs are also useful in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis.
- A 52-year-old male with a history of severe esophageal reflux and dysphagia undergoes upper GI endoscopy that reveals a mid-esophageal stricture and severe erosive esophagitis. The stricture is dilated by the gastroenterologist and he recommends long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy.
While long-term proton pump inhibitor therapy should alleviate symptoms of reflux, it may be associated with an increased risk of which one of the following?
A) Clostridium difficile infection
B) Helicobacter pylori infection
C) Type 2 diabetes mellitus
D) Iron deficiency anemia
E) Hypothyroidism
ANSWER: A
Proton pump inhibitor use has been shown to increase the risk for Clostridium difficile and other enteric infections, and elderly patients and those with significant comorbid conditions may already be at increased risk. Studies have not shown an increased risk for iron deficiency. There is no increased risk for hypothyroidism, Helicobacter pylori infection, or type 2 diabetes mellitus.
- A 4-year-old female is brought to your office after a recent camping excursion and presents with a large number of mosquito bites. She has developed a number of areas of honey-colored crusting lesions you diagnose as nonbullous impetigo.
Which one of the following oral medications is preferred for this patient?
A) Cephalexin (Keflex)
B) Doxycycline
C) Erythromycin
D) Penicillin VK
E) Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole (Bactrim)
ANSWER: A
Nonbullous impetigo is most often caused by Streptococcus pyogenes and methicillin-sensitive Staphylococcus aureus. Cephalexin is the most appropriate option, with good coverage for both of these bacteria. Penicillin VK has been found to be no more effective than placebo in the treatment of impetigo. Macrolide resistance limits the use of erythromycin. Tetracycline should not be used in children <8 years old as it may cause staining of permanent teeth. Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole has coverage against both methicillin-sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, but may have inadequate coverage for Streptococcus.
- Which one of the following medications blocks dopamine stimulation in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, making it an effective antiemetic for patients with gastroenteritis?
A) Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
B) Meclizine (Antivert)
C) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
D) Ondansetron (Zofran)
E) Scopolamine (Transderm Scop)
ANSWER: C
Dopamine antagonists, such as metoclopramide, block dopamine stimulation in the chemoreceptor trigger zone, thereby limiting emetic input to the medullary vomiting center (SOR C). SSRIs, such as ondansetron, also work in the chemoreceptor trigger zone. They inhibit serotonin at the 5-HT3 receptor in the small bowel, vagus nerve, and chemoreceptor trigger zone. Antihistamines and anticholinergics limit stimulation of the vomiting center through inhibition of the H1 receptor and acetylcholine, respectively. These medications are particularly beneficial in vestibular-mediated nausea, such as motion sickness.
- An asymptomatic 46-year-old male with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease sees you for a routine visit. His vital signs in the office include a blood pressure of 152/93 mm Hg, a heart rate of 82 beats/min, a respiratory rate of 17/min, a temperature of 37.0°C (98.6°F), and an oxygen saturation of 99% on room air. His glomerular filtration rate is 49 mL/min/1.73 m2.
Which one of the following is the preferred initial therapy for controlling this patient’s blood pressure?
A) Amlodipine (Norvasc)
B) Furosemide
C) Lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril)
D) Metoprolol
E) Spironolactone (Aldactone)
ANSWER: C
Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPCKD) is the most common genetic kidney disease and accounts for 4.7% of end-stage kidney disease cases in America. Many patients with ADPCKD are asymptomatic, but early symptoms can include flank pain, gross hematuria, or recurrent urinary tract infections. The most common extrarenal manifestation of ADPCKD is hypertension, which can precipitate cardiovascular dysfunction, including left ventricular hypertrophy. Thus, early diagnosis and management of hypertension is crucial.
The goal blood pressure should be <140/90 mm Hg in patients under the age of 60. All ADPCKD patients eventually develop a loss of renal function, and approximately 80% develop end-stage renal disease by age 70. An ACE inhibitor is the recommended first-line therapy (SOR C), so lisinopril is the best choice for this patient. Angiotensin receptor blockers are acceptable in patients who cannot tolerate ACE inhibitors.
- A 70-year-old female presents to your office with a 1-month history of generalized aching of both shoulders. She denies a specific injury but believes that her dog has been pulling too much on the leash. She has also noticed joint stiffness in her hips and trouble getting moving in the mornings. She denies headaches and visual disturbance. A physical examination is normal except for mild pitting edema of the ankles. The patient has lost 5 kg (11 lb) since her health maintenance visit 8 months ago. Laboratory studies reveal an erythrocyte sedimentation rate of 66 mm/hr (N 1–25) and a platelet count of 450,000/mm3 (N 150,000–350,000). Her creatine kinase level is 50 U/L (N 40–150).
Which one of the following should you prescribe now?
A) Aspirin, 81 mg daily
B) Colchicine (Colcrys), 1.2 mg initially, 0.6 mg an hour later, then 0.6 mg daily
C) Hydroxychloroquine (Plaquenil), 200 mg twice a day for a month then 100 mg twice
daily
D) Methotrexate, 7.5 mg weekly increased by 2.5 mg/week as needed to obtain
symptom control
E) Prednisone, 15 mg daily with a slow taper
ANSWER: E
Polymyalgia rheumatica (PMR) without concurrent giant cell arteritis is treated with a slow taper of low-dose corticosteroids (SOR C). Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs and antimalarial medications have no role in the treatment of PMR. Aspirin therapy is recommended as adjuvant therapy for giant cell arteritis to decrease stroke risk (SOR C). Colchicine may alleviate acute symptoms of gout and pseudogout.
- An active 76-year-old male presents to your office as a new patient. He recently fell while hiking and was diagnosed with rib fractures in the emergency department. He says he has always been healthy except he was told his blood pressure was mildly elevated 10 years ago. He has not followed up with a doctor since that visit. Today his examination is normal other than bruising and mild tenderness over his left 7th to 9th ribs laterally and a blood pressure of 144/88 mm Hg.
You review his transition of care document from the emergency department and his problem list states that he has chronic kidney failure stage 3A based on an estimated glomerular filtration rate of 55 mL/min/1.73 m2. A urinalysis in your office is normal, with no hematuria or proteinuria.
Which one of the following would be most appropriate at this time?
A) Reassurance and observation
B) Renal ultrasonography
C) CT of the abdomen
D) Magnetic resonance angiography of the renal artery
ANSWER: A
Chronic kidney disease appears to be overdiagnosed in the older population. Stage 3A kidney disease is defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR) of 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2 and is predominantly seen in older patients. It is seldom progressive in the absence of significant proteinuria. Older patients with chronic kidney disease are less likely to develop end-stage renal disease than to die of complications related to aging and cardiovascular disease. There is a decline in estimated GFR with normal aging, and the likelihood of patients progressing to end-stage renal disease and dialysis is minimal if they have a GFR of 45–59 mL/min/1.73 m2.
- A 13-year-old baseball pitcher develops pain in the upper arm at the shoulder when throwing and is diagnosed with Little League shoulder. This entity is actually a
A) coracoclavicular ligament sprain
B) sprain or tear of the acromioclavicular ligament
C) deltoid muscle strain
D) proximal humeral epiphysitis
E) labral tear on the acromion
ANSWER: D
In contrast to Little League elbow, which is a complex of possible injuries, Little League shoulder refers to one entity, proximal humeral epiphysitis, most often developing as an overuse injury in baseball pitchers age 11–16.
- A 35-year-old white male who has had type 1 diabetes mellitus for 20 years begins having episodes of hypoglycemia. His glucose levels had previously been stable and well controlled, and he has not recently changed his diet or insulin regimen.
Which one of the following is the most likely cause of the hypoglycemia?
A) Spontaneous improvement of $-cell function
B) Renal disease
C) Reduced physical activity
D) Insulin antibodies
ANSWER: B
The most common cause of hypoglycemia in previously stable, well-controlled diabetic patients who have not changed their diet or insulin dosage is diabetic renal disease. A reduction in physical activity or the appearance of insulin antibodies (unlikely after 20 years of therapy) would increase insulin requirements and produce hyperglycemia. Spontaneous improvement of B-cell function after 20 years would be very rare.
- A 63-year-old female presents with a complaint of a painful, red right eye. She says that her vision has also been blurry. She has also noted a discharge. The patient wears contact lenses.
When you examine the patient you note photophobia. The pupils are equal, round, and reactive to light. You also note unilateral diffuse injection. Fluorescein staining reveals focal corneal uptake.
Which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis?
A) Corneal abrasion
B) Subconjunctival hemorrhage
C) Uveitis
D) Acute angle-closure glaucoma
E) Herpes zoster ophthalmicus
ANSWER: A
Common causes of red eye include infectious conjunctivitis, allergies, corneal abrasion, keratoconjunctivitis, subconjunctival hemorrhage, uveitis, blepharitis, iritis, acute angle-closure glaucoma, and herpes zoster ophthalmicus.
Viral infections typically cause conjunctivitis with mild pain and no loss of vision. The problem is usually unilateral in the beginning and a watery to serous discharge may be noted. Adenovirus is the most common cause. Acute bacterial conjunctivitis has a similar presentation and may include eyelid edema and a purulent discharge. Allergic conjunctivitis is usually bilateral and painless, with intense itching, and a stringy or ropy watery discharge.
Herpes zoster ophthalmicus is associated with a vesicular rash, keratitis, and uveitis. The rash is preceded by pain and a tingling sensation. Findings include conjunctivitis and dermatomal involvement, which are usually unilateral.
With corneal abrasion there is usually a history of an injury involving a foreign object. Signs and symptoms include severe eye pain; red, watery eyes; photophobia; and a foreign body sensation. Vision is usually normal and pupils are equal and reactive to light.
Symptoms of uveitis include a red eye, loss of vision, and photophobia. It is associated with many autoimmune diseases, including reactive arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis, and inflammatory bowel disease.
Acute angle-closure glaucoma causes a significant loss of vision, with dilated pupils that don’t react normally to light. Symptoms include severe pain and watery eyes, with halos around lights. Patients may have nausea and vomiting. This form of glaucoma often has an acute onset.
- A 54-year-old male smoker with a family history of coronary artery disease tells you that he takes B-carotene and vitamin E regularly to help prevent cancer and heart disease. In counseling this patient, you discuss smoking cessation and advise him that
A) he should continue both supplements
B) he should continue B-carotene and discontinue vitamin E
C) he should discontinue B-carotene and continue vitamin E
D) he should discontinue both supplements
E) evidence is insufficient to assess the risk and benefit of these supplements
ANSWER: D
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends against the use of B-carotene or vitamin E supplementation for the prevention of cardiovascular disease or cancer. This is a class D recommendation (do not recommend). Overall there is no beneficial effect on cancer or heart disease from these vitamin supplements. In one study vitamin E appeared to increase the risk of hemorrhagic stroke, and B-carotene has been found to increase the risk of lung cancer in persons already at higher risk for lung cancer.
- In its dental recommendations from birth to 5 years of age, the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends fluoride supplementation for which one of the following when the primary water supply is deficient in fluoride?
A) All children starting at birth
B) All children starting at 6 months of age
C) All children starting at 2 years of age
D) All children with erupted primary teeth
E) Children with erupted primary teeth who have no access to fluoride varnish
ANSWER: B
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommends that primary care clinicians prescribe oral fluoride supplementation starting at 6 months of age for children whose water supply is deficient in fluoride (<0.6 ppm) (B recommendation). The task force found evidence of moderate benefit of oral fluoride supplementation for the prevention of dental caries in this group.
- You see a 5-week-old female for a well child visit in December. She was delivered at 28 weeks gestation because of severe preeclampsia in the mother. Her parents state that she is doing well, feeding well, and growing. The physical examination is normal.
At this time, you recommend immunoprophylaxis with
A) influenza vaccine
B) palivizumab (Synagis)
C) pertussis vaccine
D) rotavirus vaccine
E) intravenous immunoglobulin
ANSWER: B
For all infants born before 29 weeks gestation, palivizumab is recommended for the first year of life during respiratory syncytial virus season to reduce the likelihood of hospitalization. Immunization against pertussis and rotavirus is not recommended until the 2-month visit. Influenza vaccine is not recommended for any infant until 6 months of age. There is no indication for immunoglobulin in this infant.
- A 25-year-old male presents to the emergency department with a complaint of his heart racing for the past 45 minutes. He has no known medical problems. He does have occasional episodes of palpitations, but they usually only last a short period. An EKG shows a narrow QRS complex tachycardia at a rate of 180 beats/min. His condition is not improved by vagal maneuvers and adenosine (Adenocard). He remains hemodynamically stable.
Which one of the following would be most appropriate at this point?
A) Amiodarone (Cordarone)
B) Procainamide
C) Sotalol (Betapace)
D) Verapamil (Calan, Verelan)
E) DC cardioversion
ANSWER: D
The treatment goal of narrow QRS complex tachycardia is to slow down the heart rate and to convert to normal sinus rhythm by blocking, or increasing the refractoriness of, the atrioventricular node. In a hemodynamically stable patient vagal maneuvers are a good first-line treatment, followed by adenosine. If those do not work verapamil or diltiazem can be used. DC cardioversion is used in narrow QRS complex tachycardia if the patient becomes hemodynamically unstable. Amiodarone, procainamide, and sotalol are all used for the treatment of wide QRS complex tachycardia but not for narrow-complex tachycardia.
- A 19-year-old female high school student is brought to your office by a friend who is concerned about the patient cutting herself on the wrists. The patient denies that she was trying to kill herself, and states that she did this because she “just got so angry” at her boyfriend when she caught him sending a text message to another woman. She denies having a depressed mood or anhedonia, and blames her fluctuating mood on everyone who “keeps deserting her,” making her feel like she’s “nothing.” She admits that she has difficulty controlling her anger. Her sleep quality and pattern appear normal, as does her appetite. She denies hallucinations or delusions. The wounds on her wrists appear superficial and there is evidence of previous cutting behavior on her forearms. Her vital signs are stable.
Which one of the following would be most beneficial for this patient?
A) Clonazepam (Klonopin)
B) Fluoxetine (Prozac)
C) Quetiapine (Seroquel)
D) Inpatient psychiatric admission
E) Psychotherapy
ANSWER: E
This patient displays most of the criteria for borderline personality disorder. This is a maladaptive personality type that is present from a young age, with a strong genetic predisposition. It is estimated to be present in 1% of the general population and involves equal numbers of men and women; women seek care more often, however, leading to a disproportionate number of women being identified by medical providers.
Borderline personality disorder is defined by high emotional lability, intense anger, unstable relationships, frantic efforts to avoid a feeling of abandonment, and an internal sense of emptiness. Nearly every patient with this disorder engages in self-injurious behavior (cutting, suicidal gestures and attempts), and about 1 in 10 patients eventually succeeds in committing suicide. However, 90% of patients improve despite having made numerous suicide threats. Suicidal gestures and attempts peak when patients are in their early 20s, but completed suicide is most common after age 30 and usually occurs in patients who fail to recover after many attempts at treatment. In contrast, suicidal actions such as impulsive overdoses or superficial cutting, most often seen in younger patients, do not usually carry a high short-term risk, and serve to communicate distress.
Inpatient hospitalization may be an appropriate treatment option if the person is experiencing extreme difficulties in living and daily functioning, and pharmacotherapy may offer a mild degree of symptom relief. While these modalities have a role in certain patients, psychotherapy is considered the mainstay of therapy, especially in a relatively stable patient such as the one described.
- Long-term treatment with which one of the following is known to reduce serum vitamin D levels?
A) Estrogen replacement
B) Isoniazid
C) Phenytoin
D) Statins
E) Thiazide diuretics
ANSWER: C
Absorption and metabolism of vitamin D is known to be affected by interaction with other medications. Isoniazid and thiazide diuretics can lead to increased blood levels or activity of vitamin D. Estrogen replacement therapy can also increase levels of vitamin D in the blood, although this potential benefit seems to diminish when progesterone is added. Vitamin D absorption through the gut can be reduced by mineral oil, cholestyramine, and certain antacid preparations, leading to lower blood levels. The metabolism of vitamin D is accelerated by anticonvulsant drugs such as phenobarbital and phenytoin, which can also result in lower than desired levels of vitamin D. Statins are not reported to have any known effect on vitamin D levels.
- A 6-year-old male is brought to your office by his parents. He describes pain in the right hip for the past month or two, and the parents report that for the past few weeks they have noticed intermittent limping. The history is negative for trauma, injury, and fever. On examination the patient indicates that the pain is over the anterior hip joint, with increased pain on internal rotation, which is limited to 90°.
Of the options listed below, which one of the following is the most likely diagnosis in this case?
A) Septic arthritis of the hip
B) Transient synovitis of the hip
C) Osteoarthritis of the hip
D) Osteonecrosis of the femoral head (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease)
E) Slipped capital femoral epiphysis
ANSWER: D
This case presents a child with an insidious onset of pain and mild limitation of range of motion of one hip joint. The case suggests involvement of the femoroacetabular joint, and all of the listed options can affect this joint. Idiopathic osteonecrosis of the hip (Legg-Calvé-Perthes disease) occurs most commonly in children at 2–12 years of age and has a male predominance. Symptom onset is insidious, as in this case, with symptom severity and functional limitations dependent on the level of disease progression. Slipped capital femoral epiphysis occurs much more commonly in adolescents. Transient synovitis and septic arthritis have a more acute onset, and typically cause fever. Osteoarthritis typically occurs in older adults.
- Which one of the following is considered first-line therapy for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy?
A) Ginger
B) Blue cohosh
C) Cranberry juice
D) Vitamin B6
E) Fenugreek
ANSWER: D
A number of alternative therapies have been used for problems related to pregnancy, although vigorous studies are not always possible. For nausea and vomiting, however, vitamin B6 is considered first-line therapy, sometimes combined with doxylamine. Other measures that have been found to be somewhat useful include ginger and acupressure.
Cranberry products can be useful for preventing urinary tract infections, and could be recommended for patients if this is a concern. Blue cohosh has been used as a partus preparator, but there are concerns about its safety. Fenugreek has been used to increase milk production in breastfeeding mothers, but no rigorous trials have been performed.
- A 38-year-old female calls your office and reports nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea that developed 1 hour after she ate some chicken salad that had been sitting outside at a picnic. Prior to that she was asymptomatic.
Which one of the following is the most likely cause of this patient’s foodborne illness?
A) Campylobacter jejuni
B) Escherichia coli O157:H7
C) Shigella species
D) Staphylococcus aureus
E) Hepatitis A
ANSWER: D
Most of the symptoms of foodborne illness are not specific to the causative organism. However, the onset of vomiting and diarrhea within hours of consumption of contaminated food results from the ingestion of preformed toxins, most often from Staphylococcus aureus or Bacillus cereus in the United States. Campylobacter jejuni, Escherichia coli O157:H7, Shigella species, and hepatitis A typically produce symptoms more than a day after ingestion.
- A 76-year-old nursing home resident complains of constipation. He has had minimal improvement with trials of scheduled toileting and increased fiber and fluids. A physical examination is normal.
Which one of the following is the best intervention at this point?
A) Bisacodyl (Dulcolax)
B) Lactulose solution
C) Magnesium citrate solution
D) Polyethylene glycol (MiraLAX)
ANSWER: D
For functional constipation in older adults, behavioral changes should be first-line management. These include scheduled toileting with proper positioning, increased intake of fiber and fluids, and avoiding bedpan use. If there is not an adequate response to behavioral interventions, osmotic laxatives should be initiated. Polyethylene glycol is more effective and has fewer side effects compared to lactulose. Magnesium salts, including magnesium citrate, do not have strong evidence for safety or efficacy, and magnesium toxicity is a concern with long-term use. Due to possible adverse effects of stimulant laxatives in the long term, particularly with older adults, these drugs should be used only if fiber and osmotic laxatives are unsuccessful.
- A 44-year-old male complains of feeling tired and sad for the last few months. He has a past medical history of obesity, diabetes mellitus with painful peripheral neuropathy, and seizure disorder. He has also noticed that he is not as interested in his usual hobbies and is eating more than usual. You diagnose depression.
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate agent for this patient, considering his comorbidities and symptoms?
A) Bupropion (Wellbutrin)
B) Citalopram (Celexa)
C) Duloxetine (Cymbalta)
D) Nortriptyline (Pamelor)
ANSWER: C
SSRIs and SNRIs are both effective in reducing depressive symptoms, but SNRIs have been shown to be superior to SSRIs for management of neuropathic pain (SOR A). Bupropion would effectively treat the patient’s depression and could cause weight loss, but it is contraindicated in patients with seizure disorders (SOR A). Tricyclic antidepressants such as nortriptyline could also help with the pain but might also worsen the patient’s obesity and fatigue (SOR A).
