Pharmacology Basics Flashcards
7 cards from real CNS 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 Basics flashcards as text
A patient taking an SSRI is started on linezolid and develops agitation, hyperthermia, and clonus. What is the most likely diagnosis?
Answer: Serotonin syndrome
Linezolid is a weak MAO inhibitor, and combination with SSRIs can cause serotonin syndrome marked by clonus and hyperreflexia.
Which feature best distinguishes neuroleptic malignant syndrome from serotonin syndrome?
Answer: Lead-pipe rigidity with bradyreflexia and slower onset
NMS develops over days with lead-pipe rigidity and decreased reflexes, while serotonin syndrome is rapid with hyperreflexia and clonus.
What is the recommended first-line medication class for an actively seizing patient in status epilepticus?
Answer: Benzodiazepines
IV lorazepam, IM midazolam, or IV diazepam is first-line for status epilepticus per established guidelines.
When administering IV phenytoin, which precaution is most important?
Answer: Infuse no faster than 50 mg/min with cardiac monitoring
Rapid phenytoin infusion can cause hypotension and arrhythmias, so rate is limited and it is mixed in normal saline.
Fosphenytoin offers which advantage over IV phenytoin?
Answer: Lower risk of infusion-site injury such as purple glove syndrome
Fosphenytoin is a water-soluble prodrug that causes less tissue injury and can be infused faster, dosed in phenytoin equivalents.
Hyponatremia is a well-known adverse effect of which antiseizure medication?
Answer: Oxcarbazepine
Oxcarbazepine, and to a lesser degree carbamazepine, can cause SIADH-like hyponatremia, so sodium should be monitored.
Which laboratory monitoring is most important for a patient starting valproic acid?
Answer: Liver function tests and platelet count
Valproate carries risks of hepatotoxicity and thrombocytopenia, requiring LFT and platelet monitoring.