Pharmacology & Medication Management Flashcards
7 cards from real AP practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmacology & Medication Management flashcards as text
A patient taking warfarin asks about using danshen (Salvia miltiorrhiza). What is the primary concern?
Answer: Danshen potentiates warfarin's anticoagulant effect, increasing bleeding risk
Danshen inhibits warfarin metabolism and has its own anticoagulant properties, significantly increasing bleeding risk.
Which herb is most associated with causing hypertensive crisis when combined with MAO inhibitors?
Answer: Ephedra (Ma Huang)
Ephedra contains ephedrine, which combined with MAO inhibitors can cause dangerous hypertensive crisis due to increased sympathomimetic activity.
A patient on metformin reports using bitter melon (Momordica charantia) daily. The acupuncture physician should monitor for:
Answer: Hypoglycemia
Bitter melon has hypoglycemic properties that can potentiate metformin's blood glucose-lowering effect, risking hypoglycemia.
Which of the following best describes the mechanism by which St. John's Wort reduces effectiveness of many medications?
Answer: It induces CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, increasing drug metabolism and efflux
St. John's Wort is a potent inducer of CYP3A4 and P-glycoprotein, leading to reduced plasma levels of many drugs including cyclosporine, antiretrovirals, and oral contraceptives.
A patient using fish oil supplements at high doses (>3g EPA/DHA daily) is scheduled for surgery. The AP should:
Answer: Advise discontinuation 1-2 weeks prior to surgery due to antiplatelet effects
High-dose fish oil has significant antiplatelet effects and should be discontinued 1-2 weeks before surgery to reduce bleeding risk.
Glycyrrhizin, the active compound in high-dose licorice (Gan Cao), is most likely to cause which adverse effect?
Answer: Pseudoaldosteronism with hypertension and hypokalemia
Glycyrrhizin inhibits 11-beta-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase, causing sodium retention, potassium loss, and hypertension (pseudoaldosteronism).
A patient on levothyroxine reports taking kelp supplements daily. What is the main clinical concern?
Answer: Kelp's iodine content can interfere with thyroid hormone regulation
Kelp is high in iodine, which can disrupt thyroid function and interfere with levothyroxine therapy, causing either hypo- or hyperthyroid states.