Nokea
Patrick is a 10-year-old patient who presents with uncomfortable constipation. Along with diet changes, a laxative is ordered to provide more rapid relief of constipation. An appropriate choice of medication for a 10-year-old child would be:
- A. PEG 3350 (Miralax)
- B. Bisacodyl (Dulcolax) suppository
- C. Docusate (Colace) suppository
- D. Polyethylene glycol electrolyte solution
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: PEG 3350 is safe and effective for kids; suppositories (B, C) are less preferred, and PEG solution is for bowel prep.
You may also like to solve these questions
Characteristics of vitamin D and its metabolites include which of the following?
- A. Act to decrease serum levels of calcium
- B. Activation of vitamin D receptors in the major cells of
- C. Calcitriol is the major derivative responsible for increasing intestinal absorption of phosphate
- D. Metabolites of vitamin D increase renal excretion of calcium
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Calcitriol increases intestinal absorption of calcium and phosphate.
What concept is considered when generic drugs are substituted for brand name drugs?
- A. Bioavailability
- B. Critical concentration
- C. Distribution
- D. Half-life
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Bioavailability is the portion of a dose of a drug that reaches the systemic circulation and is available to act on body cells. Binders used in a generic drug may not be the same as those used in the brand name drug. Therefore, the way the body breaks down and uses the drug may differ, which may eliminate a generic drug substitution. Critical concentration is the amount of a drug that is needed to cause a therapeutic effect and should not differ between generic and brand name medications. Distribution is the phase of pharmacokinetics, which involves the movement of a drug to the body's tissues and is the same in generic and brand name drugs. A drug's half-life is the time it takes for the amount of drug to decrease to half the peak level, which should not change when substituting a generic medication.
Suzanne is started on paroxetine (Paxil), a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI), for depression. Education regarding her antidepressant includes:
- A. SSRIs may take 2 to 6 weeks before she will have maximum drug effects.
- B. Red-green color blindness may occur and should be reported.
- C. If she experiences dry mouth or heart rates greater than 80, she should stop taking the drug immediately.
- D. She should eat lots of food high in fiber to prevent constipation.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: SSRIs require 2-6 weeks for full effect, a key patient education point.
Vera, age 70, has isolated systolic hypertension. Calcium channel blocker dosages for her should be:
- A. Started at about half the usual dosage
- B. Not increased over the usual dosage for an adult
- C. Given once daily because of memory issues in the older adult
- D. Withheld if she experiences gastroesophageal reflux
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Elderly patients start at half dose due to reduced metabolism and clearance.
Nicotine replacement therapy (NRT):
- A. Is widely distributed in the body only when the gum products are used
- B. Does not cross the placenta and so is safe for pregnant women
- C. Delays healing of esophagitis and peptic ulcers
- D. Has no drug interactions when a transdermal patch is used
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: NRT delays GI ulcer healing due to nicotine's effects on acid secretion.