RPS24 Flashcards
First line treatment for Ringworm
Cetrizine 10mg tabs
clotrimazole 1% cream
Clotrimazole HC cream
Fluconazole 150mg capsule
Miconazole 2% powder
Clotrimazole 1%
A 62 year old man has been prescribed doxorubicin for bladder cancer. He was informed his urine may become discoloured but that change is normal. Which colour is most likely
Blue
Brown
Green
Orange
Red
Urine may be pink or red for up to 48 hours after treatment. This is usually because of the colour of doxorubicin. It is not harmful.
A 32-year-old woman has been prescribed isotretinoin 20 mg tablets, one tablet twice a day, for severeacne by her dermatologist. She is aware of the risks and is using the medication according to the conditionsof the Pregnancy Prevention Programme.Which of the following statements is true?
A) changes in mood or behaviour are usually self-limiting and will normally pass with chronic use
B) .she should take a pregnancy test one week before the new prescription is issued×
C).the prescriber can write a prescription for 56 tablets
D) The prescription will expire after 12 months
E) Wax epilation is safe once the patient has been drug free for at least 1 month
C
Isotretinoin prescriptions have a 7-day validity and can only be written for a 30 day supply. C is thereforecorrect as it is for 4 weeks
56-year-old man recently underwent a health check through his company. They measured his BMI at 30.2kg/m2 and he has a QRISK3 score of 10.8%. He disclosed that he smokes 10-15 cigarettes a day and rarely has time to exercise or cook healthy food due to a demanding job and therefore often orders a takeaway.He does not drink alcohol however the clinician has advised he makes changes to his diet and lifestyle in-order to prevent cardiovascular disease in the future.
- advise the patient that his QRISK is score is too low for a statin
- Drink no more than 14 units per week
- Participate in 150mins of moderate intensity exercise per week
- Recommend nicotine patches alone to support smoking cessation
- Reduce salt intake to less than 8g a day
A – not the best answer as the QRISK score is high enough to qualify for a statin if lifestyle changes are
ineffective.
B – true, but not the best answer as the patient does not drink.
C – correct; 150 minutes of moderate-intensity or 75 minutes of high intensity per week is recommended.
D – not the best answer as patients should be offered two forms of NRT to maximise chances of quitting.
E – 6 g, not 8 g according to national recommendations.
A 78-year-old man is prescribed MST Continus® 30 mg ONE tablet TWICE daily for pain but is struggling to
swallow. You have been asked to advise on alternative transdermal preparation.
https://bnf.nice.org.uk/medicines-guidance/prescribing-in-palliative-care/
See under opioid dose conversion, conversion from oral to transdermal administration, fentanyl
Which of the following strengths of fentanyl patch would provide the equivalent daily opioid dose?
a. fentanyl 12 patch
b. fentanyl 25 patch
c. fentanyl 37.5 patch
d. fentanyl 50 patch
e. fentanyl 75 patch
Fentanyl 25
A 65-year-old woman comes into your pharmacy presenting with multiple mouth ulcers that have been
present for 5 days. The woman asks for your advice on what action she should take. She takes the following
medication:
* Paracetamol 1 gram four times a day when required
* Ibuprofen 5% gel to be applied three times a day when required
* GTN 400microgram sublingual spray – two sprays when required
* Ramipril 10 mg once daily
* Nicorandil 10 mg twice daily
Which one of the following would be the most appropriate action to take for the patient?
a. advise her the mouth ulcers will disappear on their own
b. gargle with dispersible aspirin 300 mg
c. refer her to A&E
d. refer her to the GP
e. sell her cetalkonium chloride (Bonjela®)
Refer- Nicorandil can cause serious skin, mucosal and eye ulceration including GI ulcers
A 28-year-old man recently received a positive test for H. pylori therefore requires treatment with triple
therapy. He has a severe penicillin allergy.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate regimen?
a. amoxicillin 1 g bd, clarithromycin 500 mg bd, lansoprazole 30 mg bd for 7 days
b. amoxicillin 500 g bd, clarithromycin 500 mg bd, lansoprazole 30 mg bd for 7 days
c. metronidazole 400 mg bd, clarithromycin 500 mg bd, lansoprazole 15 mg bd for 7 days
d. metronidazole 400 mg bd, clarithromycin 500 mg bd, lansoprazole 30 mg bd for 7 days
e. metronidazole 400 mg bd, clarithromycin 500 mg bd, lansoprazole 30 mg od for 7 days
Metronidazole 400mg bd, claritrhomycin 500mg bd, lansoprazole 30mg bd
You are a GP practice pharmacist running a respiratory clinic. You are conducting a review with a 33-year-
old woman with asthma. You find that she is struggling with her inhaled corticosteroid metered dose inhaler
and recommend using a spacer device with it.
Which of the following would be the most appropriate advice to give to the patient on how to clean their
new spacer device?
a. place on the top shelf of a dishwasher
b. wash in cold water with mild detergent and air dry at room temperature
c. wash in cold water with mild detergent and dry with a cloth or tea towel
d. wash in warm water with mild detergent and air dry at room temperature
e. wash in warm water with mild detergent and dry with a cloth or tea towel
D
A 68-year-old man has recently been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and has a past medical history of
heart failure. Upon review, the doctor identified that metformin does not adequately control his HbA1C and
therefore would like to intensify his treatment regimen.
Which of the following is the doctor most likely to avoid prescribing?
a. canagliflozin
b. gliclazide
c. glimepiride
d. pioglitazone
e. saxagliptin
Pioglitazone is CI in pts with a hx of HF
A 17-year-old girl asks to speak to you in private. She tells you that she had unprotected sexual intercourse
2.5 days ago and would like to buy emergency contraception. Upon questioning, she weighs 75 kg, has
regular periods every 29 days and is on day 21 of her menstrual cycle.
Which of the following would be the most effective approach to pregnancy prevention?
a. refer her to her GP to get a prescription for a double dose of levonorgestrel 1.5 mg tablets
b. refer her to the sexual health clinic for the copper IUD
c. sell ulipristal acetate 30 mg tablets
d. supply a single dose of levonorgestrel 1.5 mg tablets
e. tell her she does not need emergency contraception as there is no risk of pregnancy given the stage
in her cycle
IUD
28-year-old woman comes into your pharmacy asking for something for her constipation. She has been
constipated for three days and is experiencing abdominal discomfort as a result. She has tried increasing
the fibre in her diet, and fluid intake and has been going for regular walks. She tells you that she is 28 weeks
pregnant and that the doctor told her she could get a laxative from the pharmacy.
Which of the following is the most appropriate to advise the woman?
a. continue to increase the fibre in her diet, fluid intake and physical activity
b. recommend ispaghula husk sachets
c. recommend lactulose solution
d. recommend senna tablets
e. refer her back to her GP
Bulk forming is firstline when diet and lifestyle advice fails
A 56-year-old woman was diagnosed with and prescribed medication for stage two hypertension last
month. The following month, she returns to your pharmacy to collect her repeat prescription but mentions to
you that her ankles look swollen and is wondering whether this may be due to her new medication.
Which of the following drugs would have been most likely to cause this adverse effect?
a. bisoprolol
b. indapamide
c. lercanidipine
d. lisinopril
e. losartan
Lercanidipine
Peripheral oedema is a common side effect of calcium channel blockers. Calcium channel blockers are also
used first line in adults over the age of 55.
A 66-year-old woman is scheduled for surgery under general anaesthetic. During her pre-operation
consultation she was informed of the rare risk of malignant hyperthermia as a result of general anaesthesia,
which is characterised by high temperature and tachycardia.
Which of the following is the most appropriate treatment for malignant hyperthermia?
a. acetylcysteine
b. activated charcoal
c. dantrolene sodium
d. high flow oxygen
e. naloxone
Dantrolene sodium
acetylcysteine – for paracetamol overdose
activated charcoal – e.g. for aspirin poisoning
high flow oxygen – e.g. for CO poisoning
naloxone – for opioid overdose
A 32-year-old man has recently been diagnosed with epilepsy. The doctor has advised that he must ensure
he stays on the same brand of anti-epileptic drug to avoid loss of seizure control.
Which of the following drugs should always be prescribed by brand?
a. clonazepam
b. lamotrigine
c. pregabalin
d. primidone
e. valproate
Primidone is in category 1 and for these drugs, doctors are advised to ensure that their patient is maintained
on a specific manufacturer’s brand. This is because they vary in their characteristics.
All registered pharmacists and pharmacy technicians must undergo revalidation on an annual basis to
remain registered.
Which of the following must registered professionals complete according to the revalidation framework?
a. 2 CPD entries (1 planned and 1 unplanned), 1 peer review and 1 reflective account
b. 4 CPD entries (at least 2 planned) only
c. 4 CPD entries (at least 2 planned), 1 peer review and 1 reflective account
d. 4 CPD entries (at least 2 unplanned), 1 peer review and 1 reflective account
e. 4 CPD entries (2 planned and 2 unplanned), 2 peer review and 2 reflective accounts
C
A 33-year old patient has been prescribed mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension following a renal
transplant. She has read on the internet that the medication can cause skin cancer and would like to know
its likelihood.
The SmPC for mycophenolate mofetil oral suspension has been provided below.
Cellcept 500mg Film-Coated Tablets - Summary of Product Characteristics (SmPC) - (emc)
Which of the following best describes the likelihood of the patient experiencing skin cancer?
a. (≥1/10)
b. (≥1/100 to <1/10)
c. (≥1/1,000 to <1/100)
d. (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000)
e. (<1/10,000)
B
A 57-year-old woman of African-Caribbean family origin has just been diagnosed with stage 1 hypertension.
She has type 2 diabetes, and a QRISK3 score of 13%. She has no known allergies and renal function tests are
within the normal range.
Which of the following drugs is the most appropriate first-line therapy according to national guidance?
a. amlodipine
b. bisoprolol
c. candesartan
d. doxazosin
e. indapamide
ACE or ARB are recommended as step 1 therapy for diabetics of any age or family origin. NICE also
recommends an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), in preference to an angiotensin-converting enzyme
(ACE) inhibitor, in adults of black African or African-Caribbean family origin.
You are counselling a patient who is starting treatment with a drug that has Black Triangle designation and
explain the Yellow Card scheme for the reporting of adverse drug events.
For which of the following drugs should all adverse events be reported via the yellow card scheme?
a. amoxicillin
b. lithium carbonate
c. methotrexate
d. rivaroxaban
e. trastuzumab
Trastuzumab is a biosimilar. All biosimilars are black triangle drugs
A 69-year-old male undergoes yearly blood tests and observations at the GP surgery as part of routine
monitoring due to hypertension. He is normally prescribed:
* Lisinopril 20 mg ONCE daily
* Furosemide 40 mg TWICE daily
* Spironolactone 50 mg ONCE daily
Today his results were as follows:
Sodium 138 mmol/L
Potassium 5.7 mmol/L
Creatinine clearance 73 ml/min (no change from baseline)
Blood pressure 135/85
Which of the following would be the most appropriate management option for this patient?
a. add in amlodipine 5 mg ONCE daily
b. double the dose of furosemide to encourage renal potassium depletion
c. encourage him to increase his intake of tomatoes to help balance his potassium levels
d. hold lisinopril
e. reduce Spironolactone to 25 mg ONCE daily and recheck potassium and BP in one week
A - distractor because calcium channel blockers are appropriate for HTN in this age group but will not
impact potassium in any way.
B– Inappropriate given patient’s BP.
C – Tomatoes are high in potassium.
D - Disproportionate for the level of hyperkalaemia and he has good BP control.
E – Proportionate approach
A 20-year-old female asks to speak to you privately. She has been taking repeated courses of antibiotics for
recurrent urinary tract infections and would like some additional advice about preventing further episodes.
You establish that she is sexually active with a male partner and that she is not diabetic.
Which of the following is not appropriate advice for the patient?
a. do not consume sugary beverages
b. pass urine after sex
c. take prophylactic antibiotics to prevent UTIs from occurring in future
d. wear loose fitting, cotton underwear
e. wipe from front to back when you go to the toilet
A – this encourages bacterial growth.
B – urinating after sexual intercourse ensures introduced bacteria are washed away from the urinary tract.
C – inappropriate overprescribing of antibiotics.
D – wear loose, cotton underwear and clothing to keep the area dry and cool.
E – wipe from front to back to avoid introducing bacteria entering the urinary tract.
A 72-year-old woman has been prescribed alendronic acid 70 mg tablets to reduce the risk of hip fractures.
Which of the following is the most appropriate advice?
a. take at least 30 minutes before first food, beverage, or other medicinal product of the day
b. take at the same time as a calcium supplement
c. take one tablet daily before bedtime
d. take upon arising for the day with at least 300 mL of water
e. you may lie down as soon as you have taken alendronic acid
A
A 56-year-old man has been prescribed vincristine for his leukaemia.
Which of the following is the most appropriate route of administration?
a. intramuscular
b. intrathecal
c. intravenous
d. oral
e. subcutaneously
Administering medication via the correct route reduces the chance of treatment failure Vincristine injections
are for intravenous administration only. Inadvertent intrathecal administration can cause severe
neurotoxicity, which is usually fatal.
A 14-year-old boy presents with moderate depression. He has been undergoing cognitive behavioural
therapy for 6 months however his doctor wishes to prescribe him an antidepressant in combination due to
little progress.
Which of the following antidepressant drugs would be the most appropriate?
a. amitriptyline
b. citalopram
c. fluoxetine
d. mirtazapine
e. sertraline
Fluoxetine is licensed and used first line in children who require antidepressants
A 62-year-old man has been suffering from abdominal cramps and loose stools for nearly 4 weeks. Upon
further questioning he tells you that there is no blood in his stools but there is some mucus. He does not
recall a change in his diet but has been feeling stressed recently.
Which of the following is the most appropriate advice to give to the patient?
a. make an appointment with your GP for further investigation
b. monitor your symptoms for a further two weeks
c. reduce the amount of fibre in your diet
d. take loperamide capsules at the recommended dose
e. take rehydration salts to replenish any salts lost
Although there is no blood in his stool, there has been a change in bowel habits and, especially at his age,
this warrants further investigation to rule out anything more serious. His symptoms describe irritable bowel
syndrome e.g. abdominal cramps, loose stools, no blood but mucus with stress being the trigger, however
this cannot be confirmed until further tests have been done.