,Maryville NURS 615 Exam 3 | Advanced
Pharmacotherapeutics (2026) Q&A
1. A patient presents with an acute gout flare. What is the first-line treatment
recommendation?
A) Allopurinol
B) Febuxostat
C) Colchicine
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: Colchicine
Rationale: Colchicine is the first-line treatment for acute gout attacks. It works by
reducing inflammation. Allopurinol and febuxostat are used for chronic urate-
lowering therapy and are not first-line for acute flares. Probenecid is a uricosuric
agent.
2. A patient is prescribed colchicine for an acute gout flare. Which dose is considered
a low-dose regimen?
A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
B) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours
C) 0.6 mg every hour until relief, up to 4.8 mg total
D) 0.6 mg twice daily for 7 days
Correct Answer: 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
,Rationale: Low-dose colchicine is 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later.
High-dose regimens (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours) have been shown
to be no more effective and cause more adverse effects.
3. A patient on colchicine reports severe diarrhea and nausea. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A) Increase the dose to improve efficacy
B) Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
C) Administer an anti-diarrheal and continue colchicine
D) Reassure the patient that these are expected side effects
Correct Answer: Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are significant adverse effects of
colchicine, and low-dose regimens are associated with fewer GI side effects. Severe
GI distress warrants holding the medication and notifying the provider.
4. Which laboratory values should be monitored in a patient taking allopurinol for
gout?
A) Serum potassium and sodium
B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
C) Liver function tests only
D) Complete blood count only
Correct Answer: BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
Rationale: When monitoring a patient on allopurinol, renal function should be
assessed with BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance, along with serum uric acid
, levels. Liver function and CBC may also be monitored, but renal function and uric
acid are key.
5. Which medication can cause gout to worsen before it improves upon initiation of
therapy?
A) Colchicine
B) Febuxostat (Uloric)
C) Prednisone
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: Febuxostat (Uloric)
Rationale: Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, can cause gout flares to worsen
initially as serum uric acid levels decrease. Patients should be counseled about this
potential effect.
6. A patient has been on corticosteroid therapy for over six months. Which adverse
effect is the priority to monitor for?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Tachycardia
C) Weight loss
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Osteoporosis
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use (≥6 months) is associated with osteoporosis
due to decreased calcium absorption and increased bone resorption. Patients on
chronic steroids should have bone density monitoring and may need calcium and
vitamin D supplementation.
Pharmacotherapeutics (2026) Q&A
1. A patient presents with an acute gout flare. What is the first-line treatment
recommendation?
A) Allopurinol
B) Febuxostat
C) Colchicine
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: Colchicine
Rationale: Colchicine is the first-line treatment for acute gout attacks. It works by
reducing inflammation. Allopurinol and febuxostat are used for chronic urate-
lowering therapy and are not first-line for acute flares. Probenecid is a uricosuric
agent.
2. A patient is prescribed colchicine for an acute gout flare. Which dose is considered
a low-dose regimen?
A) 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
B) 1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours
C) 0.6 mg every hour until relief, up to 4.8 mg total
D) 0.6 mg twice daily for 7 days
Correct Answer: 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later
,Rationale: Low-dose colchicine is 1.2 mg initially, followed by 0.6 mg one hour later.
High-dose regimens (1.2 mg followed by 0.6 mg every 4-6 hours) have been shown
to be no more effective and cause more adverse effects.
3. A patient on colchicine reports severe diarrhea and nausea. What is the most
appropriate nursing action?
A) Increase the dose to improve efficacy
B) Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
C) Administer an anti-diarrheal and continue colchicine
D) Reassure the patient that these are expected side effects
Correct Answer: Discontinue the medication and notify the provider
Rationale: Severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting are significant adverse effects of
colchicine, and low-dose regimens are associated with fewer GI side effects. Severe
GI distress warrants holding the medication and notifying the provider.
4. Which laboratory values should be monitored in a patient taking allopurinol for
gout?
A) Serum potassium and sodium
B) BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
C) Liver function tests only
D) Complete blood count only
Correct Answer: BUN, creatinine, and uric acid
Rationale: When monitoring a patient on allopurinol, renal function should be
assessed with BUN, creatinine, and creatinine clearance, along with serum uric acid
, levels. Liver function and CBC may also be monitored, but renal function and uric
acid are key.
5. Which medication can cause gout to worsen before it improves upon initiation of
therapy?
A) Colchicine
B) Febuxostat (Uloric)
C) Prednisone
D) Probenecid
Correct Answer: Febuxostat (Uloric)
Rationale: Febuxostat, a xanthine oxidase inhibitor, can cause gout flares to worsen
initially as serum uric acid levels decrease. Patients should be counseled about this
potential effect.
6. A patient has been on corticosteroid therapy for over six months. Which adverse
effect is the priority to monitor for?
A) Osteoporosis
B) Tachycardia
C) Weight loss
D) Hyperkalemia
Correct Answer: Osteoporosis
Rationale: Long-term corticosteroid use (≥6 months) is associated with osteoporosis
due to decreased calcium absorption and increased bone resorption. Patients on
chronic steroids should have bone density monitoring and may need calcium and
vitamin D supplementation.
