NAPLEX North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination Question and Answers

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Explanation

Dapsone treatment has produced dose-related hemolysis and hemolytic anemia. Individuals with glucose-6¬ phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) deficiency are more prone to hemolysis.

40mEq × 1equiv/1000mEq × 74.5g/1equiv = 2.98 gm of KCl in 100ml. Calculate: mOsm/L. 2.98g/100ml × 1mol/74.5g × 2Osm/1mol × 1000mOsm/ Osm × 1000ml/1L = 800mOsm/L

Diphenhydramine possesses anticholinergic properties. Xerostomia, or dry mouth, is a common side effect of anti-cholinergic medications, due to anti-muscarinic, parasympatholytic effects. Other adverse reactions may include: • Mydriasis with blurred vision, photophobia • Urinary retention • Constipation • Anhidrosis • Hyperthermia • Tachycardia • Altered mental status

A commonly referenced mnemonic for anti-cholinergic toxicity is “mad as a hatter, red as a beet, dry as a bone, hot as a hare, blind as a bat” to reflect confusion, flushing, dry mouth, hyperthermia and mydriasis, respectively.

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

ABW = 85 kg IBW = 50 kg + 2.3 kg (4) = 59.2 kg 85/59.2 = 1.44 AdjBW = 59.2 kg + 0.4(85 kg-59.2 kg) = 69.52

kg CrCl (IBW) = [(140-84) 59.2]/(72 × 1.4) = 32.8 CrCl (AdjBW) = [(140-84) 69.52]/(72 × 1.4) = 38.6

Ceftaroline covers MRSA, but it does not cover pseudomonas. Ertapenem does not cover pseudomonas. Cefazolin does not cover MRSA nor Pseudomonas. Cefepime has pseudomonas coverage. Vancomycin does not cover gram negative bacteria.

Correct: A. Migraine headaches typically affect females more often than males, and patients most frequently present in their early 20s. Classic symptoms of migraine include throbbing headaches lasting between 2–24 hours in duration, with triggers such as red wine, fasting, stress, and menses. Primary prevention is aimed at the identification and avoidance of triggers. Over the counter NSAIDS can be used if symptoms persist. Failing this, PRN abortive therapy is indicated, including the triptans (e.g. – sumatriptan) and metoclopramide. Choice B – Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that is considered to be a second-line, prophylactic treatment for recurrent migraine headaches. Its utility is limited by its lengthy side effect profile. Choice C – Amitriptyline, a tricyclic antidepressant, can also be utilized for migraine prophylaxis. However, it will not abort a migraine currently in progress, and extensive side effects limit its use. Choices D + E – Propranolol and diltiazam are beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers, respectively. As with the anticonvulsants and tricyclic antidepressants, these

are considered migraine prophylaxis and will not interrupt a migraine once it has begun.

(A) Sulfonylureas, (C) DPP4 Inhibitors, (D) Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists 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.

Pregabalin works as a ligand of the auxiliary α2δ subunit site of certain voltage-dependent calcium channels (VDCCs), and thereby acts as an inhibitor of α2δ subunit-containing VDCCs.

A CD4 count of 180 cells per cubic meter is considered very low – typically an indicator that the patient has an immunocompromised state, such as AIDS. CD4 counts are a measure of healthy T-cell levels. The lower the count, the more susceptible the patient is to opportunistic infections. A normal range is between 500 and 1,500 cells.

B: Loop diuretics inhibit the Na/K/2Cl cotransporter of the luminal membrane in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle. Therefore, reabsorption of Na, K, and CL is decreased. The loop diuretics are the most efficacious of the diuretic drugs because the ascending limb accounts for the reabsorption of 25–30 % of filtered NaCl and downstream sites are not able to compensate for this increased Na load. Loop diuretics are the drugs of

choice for reducing acute pulmonary edema in congestive heart failure. Loop diuretics act promptly, even among patients who have poor function or who have not responded to thiazides or other diuretics. Adverse side effects include ototoxicity, particularly when used in conjunction with the aminoglycoside antibiotics. Furosemide and ethacrynic acid compete with uric acid for the renal and biliary secretary system, thus blocking its secretion, and thereby causing or exacerbating gouty attacks. A: Aldosterone receptor antagonist is incorrect. Spironolactone is a synthetic aldosterone antagonist that competes with aldosterone for intracellular cytoplasmic receptor sites. Because spironolactone chemically resembles some of the sex steroids, it does have minimal hormonal activity and may induce gynecomastia in males and menstrual irregularities in females. C: Inhibition of carbonic anhydrase is incorrect. Acetazolamide inhibits carbonic anhydrase, which is located intracellulary and on the apical membrane of the proximal tubular epithelium. The decreased ability to exchange NA for H in the presence of acetazolamide results in a mild diuresis. The adverse side effects of acetazolamide include metabolic acidosis (mild), potassium depletion, renal stone formation, drowsiness, and paresthesia. D: Acts as osmotic diuretic is incorrect. A number of simple, hydrophilic, chemical substances that are filtered through the glomerulus, such as mannitol and urea, result in some degree of diuresis. This is due to their ability to carry water with them into tubular fluid. Osmotic diuretics are a mainstay of treatment for patients with increased intracranial pressure or acute renal failure due to

shock, drug toxicities, or trauma. E: Blocking of the NaCl cotransporter is incorrect. The thiazide derivatives act mainly in the distal tubule to decrease the reabsorption of Na by inhibition of an Na/Cl cotransporter on the luminal membrane. As a result, these drugs increase the concentration of NA and CL in the tubular fluid. Hypokalemia is the most frequent problem encountered with the thiazide diuretics and can predispose patients on digitalis to ventricular arrhythmias. Thiazides increase serum uric acid by decreasing the amount of acid excreted by the organic acid secretory system. The thiazides inhibit the secretion of calcium, sometimes leading to elevated levels of Ca in the blood.

Incidence rate = New reported cases / summed person-years of observation (avg population during time interval). Prevalence = Cases in a population in a given time period / total population at that time Mortality rate

= deaths during specified time interval / population size at risk for death.

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 skeletal and 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.

In a normal distribution sample, within 1 standard deviation 68% of the sample falls within 1 standard deviation, 95% within 2 standard deviations, and 99.7% within 3 standard deviations of the mean.

Nominal data is considered unordered categories. Sex answers fall into male or female which is unordered. Race can be multiple answers such as Caucasian, African American, Asian, etc which is unordered. Blood group can only have blood type O, A, B, or AB which is also unordered. Ordered, or ordinal data would have categories that are in some sort of order

LDL can be elevated by diuretics, cyclosporine, glucocorticoids, and amiodarone.

Nadolol is not proven to reduce mortality in patients with systolic CHF. The efficacy of nadolol in HF has not been determined. For patients taking nadolol, it should be used with caution in those with compensated heart failure and patients should be monitored for a worsening of the condition. Bisoprolol, carvedilol, and sustained- release metoprolol succinate are the beta-blockers that have been proven to reduce mortality in patients with systolic CHF. These 3 beta-blockers have been effective in reducing the risk of death in patients with chronic HFrEF. Other beta-blockers were found to be less effective. Bucindolol did not exhibit uniform effectiveness across different populations. Metoprolol tartrate was found to be less effective in HF clinical trials.

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.

[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

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.