A woman who is pregnant tells an NP that she has been taking sertraline for depression for several years but is worried about the effects of this drug on her fetus. The NP will consult with this patient's psychiatrist and will recommend that she:
- A. stop taking the sertraline now.
- B. continue taking the antidepressant.
- C. change to a different antidepressant.
- D. taper off the sertraline gradually.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B because continuing sertraline is often safer than untreated depression, with psychiatric consultation. Choice A is incorrect (abrupt stopping risky). Choice C is wrong (changing not first step). Choice D is inaccurate (tapering not indicated without specialist input).
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Passive monitoring of drug effectiveness includes:
- A. Therapeutic drug levels
- B. Adding or subtracting medications from the treatment regimen
- C. Ongoing provider visits
- D. Instructing the patient to report if the drug is not effective
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is correct because passive monitoring relies on patient feedback, like reporting ineffectiveness, rather than active measures like lab tests. Choice A is incorrect as therapeutic levels are active monitoring. Choice B is wrong because adjusting medications is an intervention, not monitoring. Choice C is incorrect since provider visits are active engagement, not passive.
Off-label use of drugs is:
- A. Illegal
- B. Regulated by the FDA
- C. Permitted with scientific evidence
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Choice C is correct because off-label use is legal and common, permitted with scientific backing or clinical judgment, not FDA-regulated post-approval. Choice A is incorrect as it's not illegal. Choice B is wrong because FDA doesn't regulate off-label practice. Choice D is incorrect since only C applies.
Passive monitoring of drug effectiveness includes:
- A. Therapeutic drug levels
- B. Adding or subtracting medications from the treatment regimen
- C. Ongoing provider visits
- D. Instructing the patient to report if the drug is not effective
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is correct because passive monitoring relies on patient feedback, like reporting ineffectiveness, rather than active measures like lab tests. Choice A is incorrect as therapeutic levels are active monitoring. Choice B is wrong because adjusting medications is an intervention, not monitoring. Choice C is incorrect since provider visits are active engagement, not passive.
The elderly are at high risk of ADRs due to:
- A. Having greater muscle mass than younger adults, leading to higher volume of distribution
- B. The extensive studies that have been conducted on drug safety in this age group
- C. The blood-brain barrier being less permeable, requiring higher doses to achieve therapeutic effect
- D. Age-related decrease in renal function
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is correct because an age-related decline in renal function slows drug excretion, increasing ADR risk as drugs accumulate. Choice A is incorrect as muscle mass decreases with age, not increases. Choice B is wrong because studies are often limited in the elderly, not extensive. Choice C is incorrect since the blood-brain barrier's permeability doesn't typically lessen, and higher doses aren't standard.
Drugs that require refrigeration include:
- A. Insulin
- B. Amoxicillin suspension
- C. Vaccines
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Choice D is correct because insulin (protein stability), amoxicillin suspension (post-reconstitution), and vaccines (biological potency) require refrigeration to maintain efficacy, per storage guidelines. Choice A is incorrect alone as it's one drug. Choice B is wrong by itself because amoxicillin is just part. Choice C is incorrect solo since vaccines are only one group.