NPTE-PT Test Pharmacology and Medical Sciences Questions and Answers Flashcards

A patient on anticoagulant therapy sustains a minor cut during PT. The FIRST action the PT should take is:

Answer: Apply direct pressure with a sterile dressing and monitor for prolonged bleeding

Anticoagulants impair clotting, so direct pressure is the immediate first aid response while monitoring for excessive bleeding.

Which medication class is most likely to cause peripheral neuropathy that could affect a PT patient's balance and sensation?

Answer: Chemotherapy agents (e.g., vincristine)

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) damages sensory nerves, reducing proprioception and increasing fall risk.

A PT patient newly started on selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) reports dizziness upon standing. The BEST PT intervention is:

Answer: Teach sit-to-stand safety techniques and allow time for postural adaptation

SSRIs can cause orthostatic hypotension early in treatment; teaching position-change strategies reduces fall risk during this adaptation period.

Which finding in a patient taking digoxin should cause the PT to immediately stop treatment?

Answer: Resting heart rate below 50 bpm with nausea and visual changes

Bradycardia below 60 bpm combined with nausea and visual disturbances are classic signs of digoxin toxicity requiring immediate medical attention.

A patient with chronic kidney disease has an elevated serum potassium level (6.2 mEq/L). The PT should be MOST concerned about:

Answer: Cardiac arrhythmia risk during exercise

Hyperkalemia destabilizes cardiac cell membranes and can trigger life-threatening arrhythmias, making vigorous exercise potentially dangerous.

Which type of medication requires a PT to use the Rating of Perceived Exertion (RPE) scale instead of target heart rate for exercise intensity monitoring?

Answer: Beta-blockers

Beta-blockers blunt the cardiac chronotropic response, making heart-rate-based exercise targets inaccurate; RPE is the validated alternative.