CCMA Pharmacology and Medications 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which condition is a contraindication for this medication?
- Hypertension
- Renal impairment (eGFR < 30) (Correct answer)
- Hypothyroidism
- Osteoporosis
Correct answer: Renal impairment (eGFR < 30)
Metformin is contraindicated in patients with significant renal impairment (eGFR < 30 mL/min/1.73m²) due to risk of lactic acidosis.
Question 2: Which of the following is the correct technique when preparing an insulin injection from two different types of insulin in one syringe?
- Draw cloudy insulin first, then clear
- Draw clear insulin first, then cloudy (Correct answer)
- Mix both vials together before drawing
- Use a separate syringe for each type
Correct answer: Draw clear insulin first, then cloudy
The correct technique is to draw clear (regular) insulin first, then cloudy (NPH) insulin, to prevent contamination of the clear vial.
Question 3: A patient taking warfarin reports eating large amounts of green leafy vegetables. The medical assistant should recognize this may:
- Increase the anticoagulant effect of warfarin
- Have no effect on warfarin therapy
- Decrease the anticoagulant effect of warfarin (Correct answer)
- Cause an allergic reaction to warfarin
Correct answer: Decrease the anticoagulant effect of warfarin
Green leafy vegetables are high in vitamin K, which antagonizes warfarin and decreases its anticoagulant effect.
Question 4: Which drug schedule classification indicates the highest potential for abuse and has no accepted medical use in the United States?
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV
- Schedule I (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Schedule I
Schedule I drugs have the highest abuse potential and no currently accepted medical use (e.g., heroin, LSD).
Question 5: A patient is allergic to penicillin. The provider orders cephalexin. The medical assistant should:
- Administer the medication as ordered
- Inform the provider of the allergy before administering (Correct answer)
- Substitute amoxicillin instead
- Administer half the dose to test for reaction
Correct answer: Inform the provider of the allergy before administering
Cephalosporins share a similar beta-lactam ring with penicillin and carry a cross-reactivity risk; the provider must be notified before administration.
Question 6: What does the term 'PRN' mean on a medication order?
- Before meals
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Twice daily
- Every night at bedtime
Correct answer: As needed
PRN is the Latin abbreviation for 'pro re nata,' meaning the medication should be given as needed based on patient condition.
Question 7: Which route of drug administration provides the fastest onset of action?
- Oral (PO)
- Subcutaneous (SQ)
- Intramuscular (IM)
- Intravenous (IV) (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Intravenous (IV)
Intravenous administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, providing the fastest onset of action of any route.
CCMA Pharmacology and Medications 4
A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes.
Which condition is a contraindication for this medication?