NAPLEX QBANK Patient Counseling and Education 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which counseling point is appropriate for a patient prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina?
- Swallow the tablet whole with water
- Place under the tongue and call 911 if pain persists after the first dose (Correct answer)
- Take three tablets at once at first symptom
- Store tablets in a weekly pill organizer
Correct answer: Place under the tongue and call 911 if pain persists after the first dose
Current guidance is to take one dose and call emergency services if chest pain is not relieved.
Question 2: A patient on an SSRI should be counseled that full therapeutic effect typically occurs after how long?
- Within a few hours
- Within 1 day
- After 4 to 6 weeks (Correct answer)
- Only after 6 months
Correct answer: After 4 to 6 weeks
Antidepressant effects of SSRIs generally take several weeks to develop fully.
Question 3: Which is the most important counseling point for a patient using insulin glargine?
- It is a rapid-acting insulin taken with meals
- It is long-acting and should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe (Correct answer)
- It works within 5 minutes
- Shake the vial vigorously before use
Correct answer: It is long-acting and should not be mixed with other insulins in the same syringe
Glargine is a long-acting basal insulin that should not be mixed with other insulins.
Question 4: A patient prescribed oral contraceptives should be told that which medication may reduce their effectiveness?
- Acetaminophen
- Rifampin (Correct answer)
- Loratadine
- Vitamin C
Correct answer: Rifampin
Rifampin induces hepatic enzymes and can lower contraceptive hormone levels.
Question 5: What should a patient be counseled about when starting an ACE inhibitor like lisinopril?
- A persistent dry cough may occur and should be reported (Correct answer)
- It commonly causes hyperglycemia
- Take potassium supplements routinely
- It must be taken with grapefruit
Correct answer: A persistent dry cough may occur and should be reported
A dry cough is a recognized ACE inhibitor side effect that may prompt a switch to an ARB.
Question 6: A patient starting isotretinoin must be counseled about which critical requirement?
- No need for any pregnancy precautions
- Strict pregnancy prevention due to teratogenicity (iPLEDGE) (Correct answer)
- Take with high-fat alcohol
- Stop sunscreen use
Correct answer: Strict pregnancy prevention due to teratogenicity (iPLEDGE)
Isotretinoin is highly teratogenic and requires the iPLEDGE program with strict contraception.
Question 7: Which counseling point is correct for a patient prescribed levothyroxine?
- Take with breakfast and coffee
- Take on an empty stomach, typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast (Correct answer)
- Take at bedtime with a calcium supplement
- Take only when feeling tired
Correct answer: Take on an empty stomach, typically 30-60 minutes before breakfast
Levothyroxine absorption is best on an empty stomach, separated from food and certain minerals.
NAPLEX QBANK Patient Counseling and Education 3
Which counseling point is appropriate for a patient prescribed nitroglycerin sublingual tablets for angina?