APEA APEA Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers 2

Question 1

A patient is prescribed levothyroxine. The NP should instruct the patient to take this medication:

Accepted Answer

30-60 minutes before breakfast on an empty stomach

Answer

Levothyroxine absorption is significantly impaired by food, calcium, and iron; it must be taken on an empty stomach 30-60 minutes before eating.

Question 2

Which medication requires monitoring for hyperkalemia when combined with an ACE inhibitor in a heart failure patient?

Accepted Answer

Spironolactone

Answer

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic; combining it with an ACE inhibitor (which also raises potassium) significantly increases hyperkalemia risk.

Question 3

A patient with asthma requires an antihypertensive. Which class is contraindicated due to risk of bronchospasm?

Accepted Answer

Non-selective beta-blockers

Answer

Non-selective beta-blockers block both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors, causing bronchospasm in patients with reactive airway disease.

Question 4

Which drug-drug interaction occurs when a patient takes sildenafil with a nitrate, requiring the NP to avoid co-prescription?

Accepted Answer

Severe hypotension

Answer

Both sildenafil and nitrates cause vasodilation; their combination produces additive nitric oxide effects resulting in profound, potentially fatal hypotension.

Question 5

A patient on lithium therapy presents with tremor, polyuria, and confusion. These signs suggest which complication?

Accepted Answer

Lithium toxicity

Answer

Coarse tremor, cognitive changes, and polyuria in a lithium patient indicate toxicity, which can occur with therapeutic doses if fluid/sodium intake changes.

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA - Advanced Practice Education Associates Practice Test

APEA APEA Pharmacology Review Questions and Answers 2