FREE BCACP Cardiovascular Risk Reduction Questions and Answers

Question 1

A 65-year-old male with established coronary artery disease is managed with atorvastatin 80 mg daily.
His recent lipid panel shows an LDL-C of 65 mg/dL, HDL-C of 40 mg/dL, and triglycerides of 250 mg/dL.
According to the results of the REDUCE-IT trial, which agent is most appropriate to add to further reduce this patient's cardiovascular risk?

Accepted Answer

Icosapent ethyl

Answer

Fenofibrate

Answer

Niacin

Answer

Omega-3-acid ethyl esters

Question 2

A 55-year-old female with no history of ASCVD undergoes a risk assessment. Her calculated 10-year ASCVD risk is 12%. She has no increased risk of bleeding. According to the 2022 United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation statement, what is the most appropriate advice regarding the initiation of low-dose aspirin for primary prevention?

Accepted Answer

The decision to initiate aspirin should be an individual one after discussing risks and benefits.

Answer

Recommend initiating low-dose aspirin 81 mg daily.

Answer

Recommend against initiating aspirin as the risks outweigh the benefits.

Answer

Recommend initiating aspirin only if her 10-year ASCVD risk was >20%.

Question 3

An ambulatory care pharmacist is educating a patient on proper home blood pressure monitoring technique. Which of the following instructions is INACCURATE and could lead to a falsely elevated reading?

Accepted Answer

"Place the cuff over a long-sleeved shirt to ensure it is snug."

Answer

"Rest quietly in a chair for at least 5 minutes before taking a measurement."

Answer

"Sit with your back supported and your feet flat on the floor."

Answer

"Support your arm on a table so the cuff is at the level of your heart."

Question 4

A 45-year-old patient who smokes one pack per day expresses a desire to quit. His medical history is significant for a well-controlled seizure disorder. Which of the following is the most appropriate first-line pharmacotherapy recommendation?

Accepted Answer

Nicotine patch + nicotine lozenge

Answer

Varenicline

Answer

Bupropion SR

Answer

Nortriptyline

Question 5

A 70-year-old female with type 2 diabetes and recently diagnosed heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) has an A1c of 7.9%. Her current regimen includes metformin and sitagliptin. Which of the following medications should be added to provide both glycemic improvement and a reduction in heart failure hospitalizations?

Accepted Answer

Dapagliflozin

Answer

Pioglitazone

Answer

Liraglutide

Answer

Glimepiride

Question 6

A 68-year-old male diagnosed with symptomatic peripheral artery disease (PAD), confirmed by an ankle-brachial index of 0.75, is not currently on any antiplatelet or anticoagulant therapy. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial agent to reduce his risk of major adverse cardiovascular events?

Accepted Answer

Clopidogrel 75 mg daily

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Apixaban

Answer

Aspirin 81 mg plus ticagrelor 90 mg twice daily