PEBC Diagnostic Procedures 3

Question 1

A patient with type 2 diabetes has an HbA1c of 8.9%. What does this value most accurately reflect?

Accepted Answer

Average blood glucose over the past 2–3 months

Answer

HbA1c reflects glycosylated hemoglobin accumulated over the 2–3 month lifespan of red blood cells, providing an average blood glucose estimate.

Question 2

A patient's ABG shows pH 7.28, PaCO2 28 mmHg, HCO3 13 mEq/L. What is the primary acid-base disorder?

Accepted Answer

Metabolic acidosis with respiratory compensation

Answer

Low pH and low HCO3 indicate metabolic acidosis; the low PaCO2 reflects appropriate respiratory compensation (hyperventilation).

Question 3

Which serum marker is most specific for acute myocardial infarction?

Accepted Answer

Troponin I or T

Answer

Cardiac troponins (I and T) are the most sensitive and specific biomarkers for myocardial injury and are the gold standard for diagnosing AMI.

Question 4

A pharmacist notes a patient's TSH is 0.08 mIU/L and free T4 is elevated. Which condition does this pattern suggest?

Accepted Answer

Primary hyperthyroidism (overt)

Answer

Suppressed TSH combined with elevated free T4 is diagnostic of overt primary hyperthyroidism, indicating excess thyroid hormone production.

Question 5

A urine culture grows >100,000 CFU/mL of E. coli with sensitivity to nitrofurantoin. A pregnant patient at 36 weeks asks if this antibiotic is safe. The pharmacist should advise:

Accepted Answer

Nitrofurantoin should be avoided near term due to risk of neonatal hemolytic anemia

Answer

Nitrofurantoin is generally safe in the first and second trimesters but is contraindicated at ≥36 weeks gestation due to the risk of neonatal hemolytic anemia.

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC - Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada Practice Test

PEBC Diagnostic Procedures 3