Practice Test Geeks(PSA) Prescribing Safety Assessment Practice Test
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Emergency Prescribing Flashcards

7 cards from real PSA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.

Read the first 7 Emergency Prescribing flashcards as text

  1. A 25-year-old develops anaphylaxis after a bee sting with urticaria, hypotension, and bronchospasm. What is the first-line treatment?

    Answer: Epinephrine 0.3mg IM (1:1,000 solution)

    IM epinephrine (1:1,000) 0.3–0.5mg into the anterolateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.

  2. A patient with acute severe asthma fails to improve with repeated salbutamol and ipratropium nebulizers plus IV corticosteroids. What IV medication should be added next?

    Answer: Magnesium sulfate 2g IV over 20 minutes

    IV magnesium sulfate 2g over 20 minutes is recommended for acute severe asthma refractory to initial bronchodilators due to its smooth muscle relaxant properties.

  3. A patient has had two doses of IV lorazepam 4mg for status epilepticus without cessation of seizures. Which drug is most appropriate as second-line therapy?

    Answer: Levetiracetam 60mg/kg IV (max 4.5g)

    Levetiracetam IV is a preferred second-line agent for benzodiazepine-refractory status epilepticus due to its efficacy and favorable safety profile.

  4. A patient has a hypertensive emergency (BP 230/140 mmHg) with acute pulmonary edema. Which agent provides the safest, most titratable blood pressure reduction?

    Answer: Nicardipine IV infusion starting at 5mg/hr

    IV nicardipine infusion allows precise, titratable blood pressure reduction essential in hypertensive emergencies with end-organ damage.

  5. A patient develops acute pulmonary edema with severe respiratory distress and an SpO2 of 82%. Which diuretic dose and route provides the fastest relief?

    Answer: Furosemide 40–80mg IV bolus

    IV furosemide provides rapid diuresis and immediate venodilation, making it far superior to oral formulations in acute pulmonary edema.

  6. A patient calls 911 for crushing chest pain. EMS confirms STEMI. Which antiplatelet should be administered immediately, regardless of reperfusion strategy?

    Answer: Aspirin 325mg chewed and swallowed

    Aspirin 325mg chewed immediately inhibits platelet thromboxane A2 and is the universal first antiplatelet in STEMI.

  7. A 70kg patient with septic shock receives a 30mL/kg NS bolus but remains hypotensive (MAP 52 mmHg). What is the next step?

    Answer: Start norepinephrine IV infusion to target MAP ≥65 mmHg

    Norepinephrine is the first-line vasopressor for septic shock when fluid resuscitation fails to restore adequate mean arterial pressure.