Pharmaceutical Therapeutics Flashcards
7 cards from real Physician Assistant practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Pharmaceutical Therapeutics flashcards as text
A 45-year-old with type 2 diabetes and established cardiovascular disease is started on an antidiabetic agent. Which class has demonstrated cardiovascular mortality benefit?
Answer: SGLT-2 inhibitors
SGLT-2 inhibitors (e.g., empagliflozin) have demonstrated significant reduction in major adverse cardiovascular events in large outcome trials.
Which opioid analgesic has active metabolites that accumulate in renal failure and can cause CNS toxicity?
Answer: Morphine
Morphine-6-glucuronide accumulates in renal failure and can cause prolonged sedation, respiratory depression, and seizures.
A patient with newly diagnosed seizure disorder is started on phenytoin. Which finding on CBC would be a serious adverse effect requiring dose adjustment?
Answer: Megaloblastic anemia
Phenytoin inhibits folate absorption, leading to megaloblastic anemia; folic acid supplementation may be necessary.
Which beta-blocker is cardioselective and preferred in a patient with reactive airway disease requiring antihypertensive therapy?
Answer: Metoprolol succinate
Metoprolol succinate is a beta-1 selective blocker with minimal effect on beta-2 receptors in the bronchi at usual doses.
A patient on clopidogrel for ACS is found to be a CYP2C19 poor metabolizer. What is the clinical implication?
Answer: Reduced antiplatelet effect and higher thrombotic risk
Clopidogrel requires CYP2C19 activation to its active metabolite; poor metabolizers have diminished platelet inhibition and higher risk of recurrent events.
Which medication used for osteoporosis requires patients to remain upright for at least 30 minutes after ingestion?
Answer: Alendronate
Oral bisphosphonates like alendronate can cause esophageal irritation and must be taken with water while remaining upright to prevent esophagitis.
A patient on amiodarone develops hypothyroidism. What is the mechanism?
Answer: Inhibition of iodide uptake via Wolff-Chaikoff effect
Amiodarone contains ~37% iodine by weight; the high iodine load can trigger the Wolff-Chaikoff effect, suppressing thyroid hormone synthesis.