NCLEX : Drug Interactions and Biotransformation

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for NCLEX

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Example Questions

Example Question #41 : Pharmacology

You are counseling a new patient about initiating a combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP). You know that certain medications can affect the metabolism of OCP's. Which of the following medications could alter the metabolism of OCP's?

Possible Answers:

Fluoxetine

Ciprofloxacin

Docusate

Lisinopril

Aspirin

Correct answer:

Ciprofloxacin

Explanation:

The correct answer is "Ciprofloxacin."

This choice is correct because the combined oral contraceptive pill (OCP) is metabolized and inactivated by the cytochrome P-450 (CYP450) enzyme complex, and ciprofloxacin, a fluoroquinolone antibiotic, is an inhibitor of CYP450. Therefore, when ciprofloxacin is taken, the efficacy of inactivation of drugs, like OCP's, is impaired, which increases the effective level of OCP's circulating in the patient's blood. Consequently, even if the patient is taking the prescribed dose of OCP's, the effect of the drug may be greater than intended if taken with ciprofloxacin or other drugs that inhibit CYP450, which can make the potential adverse effects of OCP's more likely to occur, or occur with greater severity than if that patient had not taken ciprofloxacin with it. 

Neither lisinopril (an ACE inhibitor), fluoxetine (an SSRI), Docusate (a stool softener), nor aspirin (an anti-inflammatory, anti-platelet agent) appreciably induce or inhibit CYP450 and therefore none of them has an appreciable effect on OCP metabolism.

Example Question #12 : Drug Interactions

You are the nurse taking care of a patient taking warfarin. Despite taking the prescribed dose regularly, the patient's International Normalized Ratio (INR) is persistently sub-therapeutic. You ask the patient if they take any other medications. The patient is most likely to be taking which of the following medications?

Possible Answers:

Cimetidine

Quinidine

Azithromycin

Gemfibrozil

St. John's wort

Correct answer:

St. John's wort

Explanation:

The correct answer is "St. John's wort." 

This question tests your knowledge of factors that influence the metabolism of warfarin. In this case, you are told that the patient is taking an appropriate dose of warfarin, but still is not achieving the desired therapeutic effect, which raises the possibility of drug interactions and/or use of other medications that may impact the metabolism of warfarin.

Warfarin is metabolized by the CYP450 enzyme complex, which is known to be induced and inhibited by a variety of other common medications, supplements, and foods. Since this patient's International Normalized Ratio (INR) is sub-therapeutic, meaning that warfarin is not achieving a great enough effect, this should raise the possibility of increased metabolism of warfarin by CYP450, which means that warfarin will be inactivated more quickly than usual. The only agent listed that is known to induce or activate CYP450, which would speed the inactivation of warfarin, is St. John's wort, an herb commonly used for antidepressant activity and anti-inflammatory activity.

Gemfibrozil, quinidine, cimetidine, and azithromycin all are inhibitors of CYP450, not inducers, and therefore would slow the metabolism of warfarin, increasing the effective circulating dose of warfarin, which would raise the INR. Therefore, these are not correct answer choices for this case.

Example Question #13 : Drug Interactions

You are the nurse taking care of a patient being treated with metronidazole for a lower gastrointestinal infection. Which of the following instructions should you give the patient?

Possible Answers:

"Do not eat spinach when taking this medication." 

"Do not take your cholesterol medication when taking this medication."

"Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication."

"Avoid operating heavy machinery while taking this medication."

"Lie flat for 30 minutes after taking this medication."

Correct answer:

"Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication."

Explanation:

The correct answer is "Do not consume alcohol while taking this medication." 

In this question, what is really being tested is your knowledge of side effects/interactions with metronidazole. One of the major interactions to be aware of with metronidazole is that it can cause an unpleasant interaction when consumed with alcohol that is very similar to the symptoms that occur when one consumes alcohol while taking the alcohol deterrent, Antabuse. This reaction includes severe abdominal pain/cramping, nausea, vomiting, facial flushing, and headaches. Patients should avoid drinking alcohol while taking metronidazole and for three days after completing their course.

Eating spinach, lying flat for 30 minutes after taking metronidazole, taking cholesterol medication while taking metronidazole, and operating heavy machinery while taking metronidazole are inappropriate recommendations, as there are no known direct associations between metronidazole and spinach consumption, head elevation, cholesterol medications, or level of consciousness. 

Example Question #51 : Pharmacology

What is the most common vitamin deficiency seen in patients taking metformin?

Possible Answers:

B12

D

K2

B6

Correct answer:

B12

Explanation:

B12 deficiency is common in patients on metformin, and should be monitored and supplemented either sublingually or intramuscularly.

Example Question #52 : Pharmacology

A male client is receiving 150mg of gentamicin every 8 hours for a soft tissue infection. The nurse giving this medication is aware there are several serious side effects associated with gentamicin, including ototoxicity.

Which statement by the client indicates that he may be experiencing this serious side effect? 

Possible Answers:

"I have a high pitch ringing sound in my ear"

"There is a severe rash on my neck and chest"

"I am feeling nauseous"

"I am having difficulty swallowing"

"I have a metallic taste in my mouth"

Correct answer:

"I have a high pitch ringing sound in my ear"

Explanation:

The ringing in the ear is tinnitus, which is indicative of ototoxicity. Nausea, metallic taste in mouth, difficulty swallowing and skin reactions are not associated with the development of ototoxicity. 

Example Question #2 : Side Effects

Which of the following is the most serious potential adverse effect of enalapril?

Possible Answers:

Angioedema

Low blood pressure

Dry cough

Nausea and vomiting

Correct answer:

Angioedema

Explanation:

All of these are potential side effects of ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme) inhibitors such as enalapril, but angioedema (the swelling of the face, lips, and/or tongue) is a potentially life threatening condition, as swelling can obstruct the airway.

Example Question #52 : Pharmacology

Which of the following is a symptom of digoxin toxicity?

Possible Answers:

Rash

Mood swings

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Tremor

Correct answer:

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea

Explanation:

Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea are common symptoms of digoxin toxicity. Other symptoms may include confusion, anorexia, irregular heartbeat, and palpitations. Tremors, mood swings, and rash are not generally seen with digoxin toxicity. 

Example Question #53 : Pharmacology

A 19-year-old client presents to the emergency department explaining that he has a history of sickle cell anemia. He is complaining of severe pain in his arms and legs. The nurse recognizes that the patient is experiencing a sickle cell crisis, and is going to administer pain medication as ordered. 

The nurse is aware that which of the following pain medications is contraindicated for this disorder?

Possible Answers:

Fentanyl

Meperidine

Ibuprofen

Hydromorphone

Morphine

Correct answer:

Meperidine

Explanation:

Meperidine is contraindicated because in high doses it can form a toxic metabolite that can lead to seizures. All other drugs listed are appropriate for pain control for sickle cell crisis. 

Example Question #5 : Side Effects

Which of the following best describes extrapyramidal side effects?

Possible Answers:

Altered color vision, altered taste sensation

Nausea and vomiting, diminished consciousness, disorientation

Cutaneous flushing, hypertensive crisis, tachycardia, sweating

Dystonia, tremor, slurred speech, restlesness and anxiety

Correct answer:

Dystonia, tremor, slurred speech, restlesness and anxiety

Explanation:

Extrapyramidal side effects generally present as slow or repetitive motions or postures (dystonia), spasm, tremor, slurred speech, slowed thought process, restlessness and anxiety, paranoia, and general overall distress. These effects are caused by antipsychotic drugs that act as dopamine D2 receptor antagonists.

Example Question #7 : Side Effects

Which of the following drugs would be least likely to cause extrapyramidal side effects?

Possible Answers:

Haloperidol

Alprazolam

Bupropion

Fluoxetine

Correct answer:

Alprazolam

Explanation:

Extrapyramidal side effects are common with typical antipsychotic drugs that act as dopamine D2 receptor antagonists. These include many selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRI's), serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRI's), and norepinephrine–dopamine reuptake inhibitors (NDRI's), as well as antiemetics such as metclopramide.

Alprazolam is a benzodiazepine and is not associated with extrapyramidal adverse effects.

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