Nokea
A patient who has HIV has been receiving a two-drug combination therapy for 6 months. At an annual physical examination, the primary care NP notes that the patient has a viral load of 60 copies/mL and a CD4 cell count of 350 cells/mm. The NP should contact the patient's infectious disease specialist to discuss:
- A. changing one of the medications.
- B. increasing the dose of both medications.
- C. discontinuing the medications for a short period.
- D. adding a third medication.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because a high viral load and low CD4 suggest poor control, often needing dose adjustment. Choice A is incorrect (both should change if switching). Choice C is wrong (discontinuing risky). Choice D is inaccurate (text-based, not an option).
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Strategies to improve adherence to medication regimes include:
- A. Assuming that the patient understands the directions on the prescription bottle
- B. Using pictograms or illustrations to explain how to take the medication
- C. Assuming that the patient's health literacy level is the same as their general literacy
- D. Using the patient's preferred language when there is a language barrier
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is correct because pictograms clarify instructions visually, aiding comprehension and adherence, especially for low-literacy patients. Choice A is incorrect as assuming understanding can lead to errors. Choice C is wrong because health literacy varies from general literacy, needing specific attention. Choice D is incorrect here as it's a good strategy but not listed in this question's options correctly—B fits best.
An agonist activates a receptor and stimulates a response. When given frequently over time, the body may:
- A. Upregulate the total number of receptors
- B. Block the receptor with a partial agonist
- C. Alter the drug's metabolism
- D. Downregulate the numbers of that specific receptor
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is correct because frequent agonist use can cause the body to downregulate receptors, reducing sensitivity to overstimulation as a compensatory mechanism. Choice A is incorrect as upregulation occurs with antagonists, not agonists. Choice B is wrong because partial agonists compete, not result from frequent use. Choice C is incorrect since metabolism changes aren't the primary receptor response.
An NP is caring for a 70-year-old patient who reports having seasonal allergies with severe rhinorrhea. Using the Beers criteria, which of the following medications should the NP recommend for this patient?
- A. Loratadine (Claritin)
- B. Hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
- C. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- D. Chlorpheniramine maleate (Chlorphen 12)
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because loratadine is a nonsedating antihistamine, safer for elderly per Beers criteria, unlike the sedating options B, C, and D, which increase fall risk and cognitive impairment in older adults.
An 80-year-old patient who has COPD takes TMP/SMX for acute exacerbations, which occur three or four times each year. To monitor this patient for adverse drug reactions, the primary care NP should order:
- A. liver function tests.
- B. blood urea nitrogen and creatinine.
- C. serum bilirubin levels.
- D. a complete blood count (CBC) with differential.
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D because elderly patients on TMP/SMX risk bone marrow suppression, monitored via CBC. Choice A is incorrect (liver tests pre-treatment). Choice B is wrong (renal pre-treatment). Choice C is inaccurate (bilirubin not primary).
Which of the following statements about the major distribution barriers (blood-brain or fetal-placental) is true?
- A. Water soluble and ionized drugs cross these barriers rapidly.
- B. The blood-brain barrier slows the entry of many drugs into and from brain cells.
- C. The fetal-placental barrier protects the fetus from drugs taken by the mother.
- D. Lipid-soluble drugs do not pass these barriers and are safe for pregnant women.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is correct because the blood-brain barrier, with its tight junctions, slows entry of many drugs, especially water-soluble ones, protecting the brain. Choice A is incorrect as water-soluble, ionized drugs cross poorly due to barrier selectivity. Choice C is wrong because the fetal-placental barrier doesn't fully block drugs—many cross and affect the fetus. Choice D is incorrect since lipid-soluble drugs readily pass these barriers, posing risks in pregnancy.