Free Practice Questions for NABP NAPLEX Exam

This patient is displaying signs of a severe case of cellulitis. Severe cellulitis is defined as having one of the following: failed oral antibiotic treatment, immunocompromised, clinical signs of deeper infection, or meeting the SIRS criteria. Based on this patient’s presentation they have failed antibiotic treatment and meet SIRS criteria. For severe cellulitis, IDSA SSTI guidelines recommend using Vancomycin along with Zosyn.

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.

Pancreatitis is one of the most serious adverse effects that can be caused by valproic acid. Gingival hyperplasia is a side effect of Phenytoin. Kidney stones and weight loss can be a side effect of zonisamide or topiramate.

Empagliflozin is a SGLT2 inhibitor to decrease glucose reabsorption in the kidney. Linagliptin is a DPP-4 inhibitor that works on incretins/increase insulin secretion/decrease glucagon secretion. Pioglitazone is a TZD that increases insulin sensitivity. Exenatide is a GLP-1 agonist which increase insulin secretion/decrease glucagon secretion/increase satiety.

The diagnosis of Zollinger-Ellison syndrome is suggested when plasma gastrin is > 1000 pg/ml and the basal acid output is > 15 mEq/h or when associated with a pH < 2. The treatment is focused on controlling gastric acid hypersecretion and localisation of the tumour and its metastases. Proton pump inhibitors are the most effective antisecretory drugs and can be administered at high dosages

68kg × 0.9mg/kg = 61.2mg dose × 1mg/mL = 61.2mL 61.2mg × 0.1 = 6mL IV bolus 61.2mg × 0.9 = 55mL IV over 60 minutes

Lifelong Vitamin B12 supplementation. Vitamin B12 (cyanocobalamin) deficiency generally presents in patients as fatigue, diarrhea and headaches but can also be the cause of cognitive changes (difficulty concentrating, even mild dementia). Pernicious anemia is a macrocytic anemia, therefore laboratory findings indicate an increased mean corpuscular volume (MCV), with a decreased hemoglobin. A positive Schilling test indicates that the B12 deficiency is due to a lack of intrinsic factor. Lifelong cyanocobalamin supplementation (either orally or via injections) is needed to treat pernicious anemia. A is incorrect. Folic acid deficiency anemia is another common type of macrocytic anemia. However, cognitive deficits are not typically seen with folic acid deficiency. Furthermore, a schilling test would be negative and the methylmalonic acid (MMA) would be normal, rather than elevated. C is incorrect. Iron deficiency anemia causes a microcytic anemia, characterized by a decreased MCV. D is incorrect. A Coomb’s test is used to detect autoimmune hemolysis that may be suspected in patients with normocytic anemia (anemia with an MCV in the normal range). E is incorrect. Corticosteroids and iron supplementation are indicated as treatment in hemolytic anemia.

Serum chloride levels should ideally fall between 96-106 mEq/L. For this reason, the patient’s chloride level has come back as normal.

Sulfonylureas work in beta cells in the pancreas that are still functioning to enhance insulin secretion. Alpha- Glucosidase Inhibitors stop α-glucosidase enzymes in the small intestine and delay digestion and absorption of starch and disaccharides which lowers the levels of glucose after meals. DPP4 blocks the degradation ofGLP-1, GIP, and a variety of other peptides, including brain natriuretic peptide. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists work in various organs of the body. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists enhance glucose homeostasis through: (i) stimulation of insulin secretion; (ii) inhibition of glucagon secretion; (iii) direct and indirect suppression of endogenous glucose production; (iv) suppression of appetite; (v) enhanced insulin sensitivity secondary to weight loss; (vi) delayed gastric emptying, resulting in decreased postprandial hyperglycaemia.Thiazolidinediones are the only true insulin-sensitising agents, exerting their effects in skeletaland cardiac muscle, liver,and adipose tissue. It ameliorates insulin resistance, decreases visceral fat.Biguanides work in liver, muscle, adipose tissue via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) reduce hepatic glucose production. SGLT2 inhibitors work in the kidneys to inhibit sodium-glucose transport

proteins to reabsorb glucose into the blood from muscle cells; overall this helps to improve insulin release from the beta cells of the pancreas.

SG= weight/mL, 1.27 = x/1000ml, x = 1270gm