NABP NAPLEX - North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination

This patient shows symptoms of acute sinusitis. The most common etiology of which is viruses. Indications that an infection is viral as opposed to bacterial included a shorter infection tie (less than 10 days) and no purulent discharge (hers is watery). She does not show any evidence of a complication developing and even notes that her symptoms are improving. If her symptoms were attributed to a bacterium, then the most common cause of acute sinusitis is Streptococcus pneumoniae followed by Haemophilus influenza, then Moraxella catarrhalis. Anaerobic species such as Bacteroides fragilis and Staphylococcus aureus are more commonly found in patients with chronic sinusitis (sinusitis lasting longer than 12 weeks). This is important to realize before indiscriminately providing antibiotics for these patients.

Non-pharmacological measure that may control symptoms of gastroesophageal reflux disease are: Avoid aggravating foods/beverages that may reduce LES pressure alcohol, citrus juices caffeine, garlic, onions or cause direct irritation such as spicy foods or tomato juice should be avoided. Reduce fat intake, remain upright after meals, avoid meal before bedtime. Avoid tight fitted cloths, decrease intra-abdominal pressure. Discontinue nicotine use. Reduce intake of food or beverage that may reduce lower esophageal sphincter

tone.

It is reasonable to add triglyceride-lowering medications such as fibrates or niacin to prevent pancreatitis in those with triglyceride levels >500 mg/dL, which applies to this patient as his TG level is 640 mg/dL . C. is wrong because gemfibrozil should not be initiated in patients on statin therapy because of an increased risk for muscle symptoms and rhabdomyolysis. Fenofibrate may be considered concomitantly with a low- or moderate- intensity statin when triglycerides are above 500 mg/dL,2, however he is on a high intensity statin therapy. For niacin, the IR dose should start at 100 mg TID2 and niacin does not lower triglyceride levels as much as fibrate do.4 Fenofibrates are dose adjusted for renal function lower than 60 mL/min to 54 mg/mL, so this dose is appropriate for this patient because of his renal function being above 60 mL/min. The best option is fenofibrate 162 mg daily, but this needs to be monitored for any symptoms of muscle pain exhibited by the patient, especially as the patient is at a higher risk due to being a diabetic. Fish oil is not a first line agent to treat hypertriglyceridemia.

Normal serum creatinine levels are 0.6 – 1.2 mg/dL.

70% of 70 units = 49 units of Insulin Glargine daily 30% of 70 units = 21 units of Insulin Lispro daily. Dived in 3 doses would be 7 units three times a day. FT’s Insulin regimen should be 49 units of Insulin Glargine subcutaneous daily and 7 units of Insulin Lispro subcutaneous three times a day with meals

Metformin may impair the absorption of vitamin B12, especially in those with inadequate vitamin b12 or calcium intake/absorption. Vitamin b12 deficiency can be treated with discontinuation of therapy or supplementation. Vitamin b12 serum concentrations should be monitored periodically with long-term therapy.

[1 mg/ 1 min] × 60min= 60mg/hr. 60 mg/hr × [1 mL/ 1.8 mg] = 33.33 mL/hr 0.5 mg/min × [60 min/ 1 hr] = 30 mg/hr 30 mg/hr × [1 mL/1.8 mg] = 16.67 mL/hr Infusion rates: 33.33 mL/hr for 6 hours, then 16.67 mL/hr

Celexa causes dose-dependent QT interval prolongation, which can cause Torsades de Pointes, ventricular tachycardia, and sudden death. Celexa is not recommended for use at doses greater than 40 mg per day because such doses cause too large an effect on the QT interval and confer no additional benefit. Celexa should be discontinued in patients found to have persistent QTc measurements greater than 500 ms. Ondansetron and Famotidine may cause QT prolongation. Ondansetron may cause QT prolongation. However, this would be dose-dependent. Doses greater than 16 mg of Ondansetron IV are no longer recommended due to an increased risk of QT prolongation. Famotidine may prolong the QT interval; this has been reported in those with renal dysfunction. There have also been reports of torsade de pointes. Use of all three medications may result in an arrhythmia occurring since both have the potential to prolong the QT interval. Therefore, close monitoring is recommended or discontinuation of one medication. The other medications listed do not have this warning/precaution.

Diltiazem has a major drug interaction with Simvastatin. Diltiazem is a CYP3A4 inhibitor, and since Simvastatin is metabolized by CYP3A4, its level can build up and the risk of myopathy increases. It is recommended to switch to a non-CYP3A inhibitor such as Pitavastatin, Pravastatin, or Rosuvastatin, and if Simvastatin is to be kept on it should not exceed 10 mg/day. The same interaction also exists with lovastatin, and the recommendation is to not exceed a total dose of 20 mg/day po of Lovastatin. Given the current options, the best choice is to change to Atorvstatin 40 mg po daily.

To determine the dose conversion IV to PO, the ratio of PO to IV needs to be determined, this is 7.5 / 1.5 which is 5. This number means that the PO dose is 5 times more than the IV dose to get the same amount of drug into the bloodstream. If the patient is taking 0.5 mg IV then the PO dose would be 0.5 mg multiplied by 5, which is 2.5 mg. Since the patient is taking the medication every 4 hours the patient is receiving 6 doses, 24hrs/4hrs = 6. Since the patient is receiving 2.5 mg every dose and is receiving 6 doses a day, the patient is receiving 15 mg, 2.5 mg multiplied by 6 doses.