Medications practice questions

Answer: B) Fluoxetine 20 mg capsules

Prozac is the brand name for fluoxetine, an SSRI. When generic substitution is allowed, fluoxetine is the correct product.

• AIncorrect. Sertraline is the generic for Zoloft, a different SSRI, not Prozac.
• BCorrect. Fluoxetine is the generic name for Prozac, a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI).
• CIncorrect. Paroxetine is the generic for Paxil, a different SSRI.
• DIncorrect. Duloxetine is the generic for Cymbalta, an SNRI, not Prozac.

Answer: C) Esomeprazole

• AIncorrect. Rabeprazole is sold as Aciphex.
• BIncorrect. Omeprazole is sold as Prilosec.
• CCorrect. Nexium is esomeprazole, a proton pump inhibitor.
• DIncorrect. Ranitidine was an H2 blocker sold as Zantac.

Answer: D) Venlafaxine

• AIncorrect. Escitalopram is Lexapro.
• BIncorrect. Duloxetine is Cymbalta.
• CIncorrect. Bupropion is Wellbutrin.
• DCorrect. It's an SNRI antidepressant.

Answer: D) Prevent organ transplant rejection

• AIncorrect. It's an immunosuppressant.
• BIncorrect. It's an immunosuppressant.
• CIncorrect. It's an immunosuppressant.
• DCorrect. It's an immunosuppressant with blood level monitoring.

Answer: D) It can make blood pressure drop too low

• AIncorrect. The danger is a dangerous drop in blood pressure, not lost effect.
• BIncorrect. Blood sugar is not the concern with this combination.
• CIncorrect. Kidney stones are not the concern with this combination.
• DCorrect. Both drugs widen blood vessels, and together they can cause severe hypotension.

Answer: B) When it is started as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of onset

CDC says influenza antivirals like oseltamivir help most when started as soon as possible, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset. Some later starts can still help hospitalized or severely ill patients.

• AIncorrect. CDC says the benefit is greatest when treatment starts early, not after the illness is well established.
• BCorrect. CDC says to start antiviral treatment as soon as possible after illness onset, ideally within 48 hours of symptom onset, for the greatest clinical benefit.
• CIncorrect. Waiting for a fever to last several days pushes treatment past the window where it helps most.
• DIncorrect. Trying other products first only delays treatment. Oseltamivir works best when it's started early.

Answer: B) In the refrigerator until dispensed

Unopened multi-dose latanoprost bottles are kept in the refrigerator. After opening, they may be kept at room temperature for up to 6 weeks.

• AIncorrect. Unopened latanoprost bottles go in the refrigerator, not the freezer. Freezing isn't part of the storage directions.
• BCorrect. Unopened multi-dose latanoprost bottles are refrigerated. After opening, the patient may keep the bottle at room temperature for up to 6 weeks.
• CIncorrect. Room temperature is allowed only after the multi-dose bottle is opened, and only for a limited time. Unopened stock must be refrigerated.
• DIncorrect. Keeping the bottle away from light doesn't replace refrigeration. Unopened multi-dose bottles must still be kept in the refrigerator.

Answer: D) Corticosteroid

Prednisone is a systemic corticosteroid used to reduce inflammation and suppress the immune response.

• AIncorrect. NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen reduce inflammation without being steroids. Prednisone is a steroid.
• BIncorrect. Antihistamines such as cetirizine block histamine receptors. Prednisone does not work this way.
• CIncorrect. H2 blockers such as famotidine reduce stomach acid. They are not used to treat inflammation.
• DCorrect. MedlinePlus lists prednisone as a corticosteroid. It reduces inflammation and changes how the immune system responds, and long courses are often tapered.

Answer: B) 5 days

All ketorolac therapy, IV/IM plus oral, is limited to 5 days in total. Oral ketorolac must be stopped by the fifth day after the first injection.

• AIncorrect. The total limit for ketorolac therapy, injection and oral combined, is 5 days, not 3.
• BCorrect. Ketorolac is for short-term relief of moderately severe pain, and total use, including any IV/IM doses, must not go beyond 5 days because of the risk of bleeding, kidney and other serious adverse effects.
• CIncorrect. 10 days is twice the allowed total. Ketorolac therapy is limited to 5 days combined.
• DIncorrect. Ketorolac is not meant for a two-week course. The total limit is 5 days.

Answer: A) Sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim

• ACorrect. It's a sulfonamide combination antibiotic.
• BIncorrect. That's Augmentin.
• CIncorrect. That's an otic combination.
• DIncorrect. That's an older pediatric combination.