Advanced Pharmacology NSG 533 Case
Study Guide Test Questions with
Answers & Rationales. 2024-2025.
EP is a 38-year-old female patient that comes in for diabetes education and
management. She was diagnosed 12 years ago and states lately she is not able to
control her diet although she continues a 1600 calorie diet with appropriate daily
carbohydrate intake (per dietitian prescription) and walks 40 minutes every day of
the week. She states compliance with all medications. She denies any history of
,hypoglycemia despite being able to identify signs and symptoms and describe
appropriate treatment strategies.
PMH: T2DM, HTN, obesity, depression, s/p thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer
FmHx: Noncontributory
SHx: (−) Smoking, alcohol use, past marijuana use while in high school
Medications: Metformin 850 mg tid, glipizide 20 mg bid, lisinopril 20 mg daily,
sertraline 100 mg daily, multivitamin daily
Vitals: BP 128/82 mg Hg; P 72 beats/min; BMI 31 m/kg2
Laboratory test results: Na 134 mEq/L, K 5.4 mEq/L, Cl 106 mEq/L, BUN - Answer:
Exenatide - Exenatide (Bydureon) once weekly has been able to demonstrate
weight loss and decrease A1C% by 0.7% to 1.2% in clinical trials; however it is
contraindicated for EP due to the self-reported history of thyroid cancer.
Dapagliflozin - Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) is contraindicated in this patient due to
hyperkalemia which could be made worse by this drug. The package insert does
not indicate a specific potassium concentration cut off to no longer use this
medication; however, there are better choices in this patient.
Sitagliptin - Sitagliptin (Januvia) is able to obtain an A1C goal of less than 7% based
on clinical trials and currently the patient does not have any cautionary objective
measures to not use this medication. DPP-IV inhibitors are weight neutral. DPP-IV
inhibitors can be used in patients taking sulfonylureas; however, it may be
recommended to reduce or stop the sulfonylurea dose.
Acarbose - Acarbose (Precose) is not recommended for initial management and is
associated with significant GI side effects. More information would be needed
regarding fasting and post-prandial numbers. In addition, adding acarbose would
,only lower A1c by 0.8% at best and therefore would not achieve the desired A1C
goal of <7%
JR is a 68-year-old African American man with a new diagnosis of T2DM. He was
classified as having prediabetes (at risk for developing diabetes) 5 years before the
diagnosis and has a strong family history of type 2 diabetes. JR's blood pressure
was 150/92 mm Hg. His laboratory results revealed an A1C of 8.1%, normal
cholesterol panel, and normal renal/hepatic function were noted with today's
laboratory test results.
Past medical history: Hypertension (diagnosed 4 y ago) Hyperlipidemia (diagnosed
2 y ago) Pancreatitis (idiopathic) (acute hospitalization 3 y ago)
Family history: Type 2 diabetes
Medication: HCTZ 25 mg daily, simvastatin 10 mg daily
Allergies: SMZ/TMP
Vitals: BP: 150/92 mm Hg P: 78 beats/min RR: 12 rpm Waist Circumference: 46 in
Weight: 267 lb Height: 5 ′ 6 ″ BMI: 43.1 kg/m 2
Despite improvements in the past six weeks due to lifestyle changes and exercise,
drug therapy is to be started for JR's diabet - Answer: Metformin is the drug of
choice recommended for most patients with diabetes in addition to lifestyle
modifications assuming no contraindications or intolerabilities are present upon
evaluation. Metformin has also shown to provide positive weight neutral/loss
effects in obese patients. It is crucial to know the renal status of patients
, commencing metformin therapy to limit the risk of lactic acidosis (JR is without
contraindication).
Since his entry A1C is >7.5%, dual therapy is indicated. There are several potential
choices. The second step can be a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, it can be a
glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, it can be a TZD, it can be a
sulfonylurea agent, it can be a SGLT2 inhibitor, or it could be basal insulin.
Anything next can be tried depending on what suits the circumstance
DPP4 inhibitors are weight neutral bet relatively benign side effect profile.
Sitagliptin has been associated with case reports of pancreatitis, so this specific
agent should be avoided. $$$
GLP-1 analog and has data to support an A1C reduction necessary to gain glycemic
control and may assist with weight loss goals for this patient. New information
suggests these agents may provide benefits in those with ASCVD. JR has a past
history of pancreatitis and GLP-1 analogs are not recommended due to this
contraindication
TZDs have data to support an A1C reduction necessary to gain glycemic control,
but are associated with weight gain, negative effects on lipids and increased risk of
fracture. Until recently, TZDs have also been linked to increased CV events and use
has fallen out of favor
Sulfonylureas provide excellent A1C lowering, but are also associated with weight
gain. They also have the potential to cause hypoglycemia, so patient education is
crucial. Because of his allergies to "sulfa", use would be contr
A patient with type 1 diabetes reports taking propranolol for hypertension. What
concern does this information present for the provider? - Answer: A patient with
Study Guide Test Questions with
Answers & Rationales. 2024-2025.
EP is a 38-year-old female patient that comes in for diabetes education and
management. She was diagnosed 12 years ago and states lately she is not able to
control her diet although she continues a 1600 calorie diet with appropriate daily
carbohydrate intake (per dietitian prescription) and walks 40 minutes every day of
the week. She states compliance with all medications. She denies any history of
,hypoglycemia despite being able to identify signs and symptoms and describe
appropriate treatment strategies.
PMH: T2DM, HTN, obesity, depression, s/p thyroidectomy due to thyroid cancer
FmHx: Noncontributory
SHx: (−) Smoking, alcohol use, past marijuana use while in high school
Medications: Metformin 850 mg tid, glipizide 20 mg bid, lisinopril 20 mg daily,
sertraline 100 mg daily, multivitamin daily
Vitals: BP 128/82 mg Hg; P 72 beats/min; BMI 31 m/kg2
Laboratory test results: Na 134 mEq/L, K 5.4 mEq/L, Cl 106 mEq/L, BUN - Answer:
Exenatide - Exenatide (Bydureon) once weekly has been able to demonstrate
weight loss and decrease A1C% by 0.7% to 1.2% in clinical trials; however it is
contraindicated for EP due to the self-reported history of thyroid cancer.
Dapagliflozin - Dapagliflozin (Farxiga) is contraindicated in this patient due to
hyperkalemia which could be made worse by this drug. The package insert does
not indicate a specific potassium concentration cut off to no longer use this
medication; however, there are better choices in this patient.
Sitagliptin - Sitagliptin (Januvia) is able to obtain an A1C goal of less than 7% based
on clinical trials and currently the patient does not have any cautionary objective
measures to not use this medication. DPP-IV inhibitors are weight neutral. DPP-IV
inhibitors can be used in patients taking sulfonylureas; however, it may be
recommended to reduce or stop the sulfonylurea dose.
Acarbose - Acarbose (Precose) is not recommended for initial management and is
associated with significant GI side effects. More information would be needed
regarding fasting and post-prandial numbers. In addition, adding acarbose would
,only lower A1c by 0.8% at best and therefore would not achieve the desired A1C
goal of <7%
JR is a 68-year-old African American man with a new diagnosis of T2DM. He was
classified as having prediabetes (at risk for developing diabetes) 5 years before the
diagnosis and has a strong family history of type 2 diabetes. JR's blood pressure
was 150/92 mm Hg. His laboratory results revealed an A1C of 8.1%, normal
cholesterol panel, and normal renal/hepatic function were noted with today's
laboratory test results.
Past medical history: Hypertension (diagnosed 4 y ago) Hyperlipidemia (diagnosed
2 y ago) Pancreatitis (idiopathic) (acute hospitalization 3 y ago)
Family history: Type 2 diabetes
Medication: HCTZ 25 mg daily, simvastatin 10 mg daily
Allergies: SMZ/TMP
Vitals: BP: 150/92 mm Hg P: 78 beats/min RR: 12 rpm Waist Circumference: 46 in
Weight: 267 lb Height: 5 ′ 6 ″ BMI: 43.1 kg/m 2
Despite improvements in the past six weeks due to lifestyle changes and exercise,
drug therapy is to be started for JR's diabet - Answer: Metformin is the drug of
choice recommended for most patients with diabetes in addition to lifestyle
modifications assuming no contraindications or intolerabilities are present upon
evaluation. Metformin has also shown to provide positive weight neutral/loss
effects in obese patients. It is crucial to know the renal status of patients
, commencing metformin therapy to limit the risk of lactic acidosis (JR is without
contraindication).
Since his entry A1C is >7.5%, dual therapy is indicated. There are several potential
choices. The second step can be a dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor, it can be a
glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, it can be a TZD, it can be a
sulfonylurea agent, it can be a SGLT2 inhibitor, or it could be basal insulin.
Anything next can be tried depending on what suits the circumstance
DPP4 inhibitors are weight neutral bet relatively benign side effect profile.
Sitagliptin has been associated with case reports of pancreatitis, so this specific
agent should be avoided. $$$
GLP-1 analog and has data to support an A1C reduction necessary to gain glycemic
control and may assist with weight loss goals for this patient. New information
suggests these agents may provide benefits in those with ASCVD. JR has a past
history of pancreatitis and GLP-1 analogs are not recommended due to this
contraindication
TZDs have data to support an A1C reduction necessary to gain glycemic control,
but are associated with weight gain, negative effects on lipids and increased risk of
fracture. Until recently, TZDs have also been linked to increased CV events and use
has fallen out of favor
Sulfonylureas provide excellent A1C lowering, but are also associated with weight
gain. They also have the potential to cause hypoglycemia, so patient education is
crucial. Because of his allergies to "sulfa", use would be contr
A patient with type 1 diabetes reports taking propranolol for hypertension. What
concern does this information present for the provider? - Answer: A patient with
