Nokea
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.
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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).
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.
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.
Drugs that are Pregnancy Category C:
- A. Have known fetal risks that outweigh the benefits
- B. Have no adequate studies in pregnant women
- C. Are proven safe in pregnancy
- D. All of the above
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Choice B is correct because Category C drugs lack sufficient human studies, with animal studies showing risk or no data, used only if benefits justify, per FDA. Choice A is incorrect as that defines Category X, not C. Choice C is wrong because Category B, not C, indicates safety. Choice D is incorrect since only B fits Category C.
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.