CCMA Pharmacology and Injections 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient on warfarin asks if they can take ibuprofen for pain. What should the medical assistant advise?
- Yes, ibuprofen is safe and will not affect warfarin
- Check with the provider first, as NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk with warfarin (Correct answer)
- Ibuprofen reduces warfarin's effectiveness, so a higher dose may be needed
- Ibuprofen and warfarin can be taken together safely if separated by 2 hours
Correct answer: Check with the provider first, as NSAIDs can increase bleeding risk with warfarin
NSAIDs like ibuprofen inhibit platelet function and can displace warfarin from protein binding, significantly increasing bleeding risk.
Question 2: What gauge needle is most appropriate for an intramuscular injection in an average adult?
- 18–20 gauge
- 21–23 gauge (Correct answer)
- 25–27 gauge
- 29–31 gauge
Correct answer: 21–23 gauge
A 21–23 gauge needle provides the appropriate bore size for IM injections, balancing patient comfort with adequate drug delivery.
Question 3: Which of the following medications is classified as a beta-2 agonist bronchodilator used for acute asthma relief?
- Fluticasone
- Montelukast
- Albuterol (Correct answer)
- Ipratropium
Correct answer: Albuterol
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-2 agonist that rapidly relaxes bronchial smooth muscle for acute asthma attacks.
Question 4: A provider orders 500 mg of amoxicillin. The stock solution is 250 mg/5 mL. How many mL should the medical assistant prepare?
- 5 mL
- 10 mL (Correct answer)
- 15 mL
- 20 mL
Correct answer: 10 mL
Using the formula: (Desired dose / Stock dose) × Stock volume = (500/250) × 5 = 10 mL.
Question 5: Which of the following is a sign of anaphylaxis that requires immediate epinephrine administration?
- Mild localized rash at the injection site only
- Widespread urticaria, throat tightness, and hypotension (Correct answer)
- Low-grade fever and mild headache
- Nausea without any respiratory or circulatory symptoms
Correct answer: Widespread urticaria, throat tightness, and hypotension
Anaphylaxis presents with systemic reactions including urticaria, airway compromise, and cardiovascular collapse requiring immediate epinephrine.
Question 6: When disposing of a used needle and syringe after an injection, which is the correct procedure?
- Recap the needle using the two-handed technique, then discard in regular trash
- Discard the uncapped needle and syringe directly into a sharps container (Correct answer)
- Remove the needle with fingers and place in a biohazard bag
- Bend the needle before discarding to prevent reuse
Correct answer: Discard the uncapped needle and syringe directly into a sharps container
Used needles must be discarded immediately without recapping into an approved puncture-resistant sharps container to prevent needlestick injuries.
Question 7: A patient is taking a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI). Which supplement should the medical assistant flag for potential drug interaction?
- Vitamin C (ascorbic acid)
- St. John's Wort (Correct answer)
- Calcium with Vitamin D
- Probiotics
Correct answer: St. John's Wort
St. John's Wort combined with SSRIs can cause serotonin syndrome, a potentially life-threatening condition.
CCMA Pharmacology and Injections 5
A patient on warfarin asks if they can take ibuprofen for pain.
What should the medical assistant advise?