Chapter 16: Hormones and Drugs for Osteoporosis
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9th
Edition Questions And Answers 2025/2026
1. A patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism has been prescribed
treatment with a thyroid hormone agonist. The patient asks you how
long this drug will need to be taken. What is your best response?
a. "You will need to take this drug for the rest of your life."
b. "You will need to take this drug until your symptoms improve."
c. "You will need to take this drug until your thyroid hormone level
normalizes."
d. "You will need to take this drug incrementally until you reach the
maximum tolerated dose." - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
Hypothyroidism is a common problem in which the thyroid gland
produces little or no thyroid hormones, slowing all aspects of
metabolism, and is treated with thyroid hormone agonists. Usually this
therapy is needed for the rest of the person's life.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 293
,2. A patient taking levothyroxine sodium is pregnant and tells you she
plans to breastfeed her baby. What should you tell this patient?
a. "While it is safe to breastfeed, this drug will limit your milk supply
over time."
b. "Breast-feeding is safe when taking this drug, but not with other
thyroid hormones."
c. "You should not breastfeed your infant because this drug passes into
your breastmilk."
d. "You may breastfeed while hospitalized and your thyroid hormone
levels can be checked." - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: C
Women taking thyroid hormone agonists are advised not to breastfeed,
as the drug can be found in the mother's breast milk.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 294
3. The action of which drug is known to be increased by thyroid
hormone replacement drugs?
a. Warfarin (Coumadin)
b. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
c. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
d. Fiber supplements (FiberCon) - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
Thyroid agonists used for thyroid hormone replacement therapy
enhance the action of drugs that reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants),
, especially warfarin. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever. Diphenhydramine
is an antihistamine. And fiber supplements are dietary supplements,
not drugs, and are unaffected by thyroid hormone replacement therapy
although their use can inhibit intestinal uptake of thyroid agonists.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 294
4. Which assessment is most important to perform before giving an
elderly patient who is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) the first
dose of the drug?
a. Measuring heart rate and rhythm
b. Determining level of consciousness
c. Asking about an allergy to "sulfa" drugs
d. Checking intake and output for the last 24 hours - CORRECT ANSWER-
ANS: A
Adults over 65 years are usually prescribed a lower initial dose of
thyroid hormone agonists because they are more likely to have serious
adverse cardiac and nervous system effects. For this reason, doses are
increased more slowly in older adults than in younger adults until an
appropriate maintenance dose is reached.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 295
5. How do thyroid replacement drugs work to treat hypothyroidism?
Visovsky: Introduction to Clinical Pharmacology, 9th
Edition Questions And Answers 2025/2026
1. A patient diagnosed with hypothyroidism has been prescribed
treatment with a thyroid hormone agonist. The patient asks you how
long this drug will need to be taken. What is your best response?
a. "You will need to take this drug for the rest of your life."
b. "You will need to take this drug until your symptoms improve."
c. "You will need to take this drug until your thyroid hormone level
normalizes."
d. "You will need to take this drug incrementally until you reach the
maximum tolerated dose." - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
Hypothyroidism is a common problem in which the thyroid gland
produces little or no thyroid hormones, slowing all aspects of
metabolism, and is treated with thyroid hormone agonists. Usually this
therapy is needed for the rest of the person's life.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 293
,2. A patient taking levothyroxine sodium is pregnant and tells you she
plans to breastfeed her baby. What should you tell this patient?
a. "While it is safe to breastfeed, this drug will limit your milk supply
over time."
b. "Breast-feeding is safe when taking this drug, but not with other
thyroid hormones."
c. "You should not breastfeed your infant because this drug passes into
your breastmilk."
d. "You may breastfeed while hospitalized and your thyroid hormone
levels can be checked." - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: C
Women taking thyroid hormone agonists are advised not to breastfeed,
as the drug can be found in the mother's breast milk.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 294
3. The action of which drug is known to be increased by thyroid
hormone replacement drugs?
a. Warfarin (Coumadin)
b. Acetaminophen (Tylenol)
c. Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
d. Fiber supplements (FiberCon) - CORRECT ANSWER-ANS: A
Thyroid agonists used for thyroid hormone replacement therapy
enhance the action of drugs that reduce blood clotting (anticoagulants),
, especially warfarin. Acetaminophen is a pain reliever. Diphenhydramine
is an antihistamine. And fiber supplements are dietary supplements,
not drugs, and are unaffected by thyroid hormone replacement therapy
although their use can inhibit intestinal uptake of thyroid agonists.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Remembering REF: p. 294
4. Which assessment is most important to perform before giving an
elderly patient who is prescribed levothyroxine (Synthroid) the first
dose of the drug?
a. Measuring heart rate and rhythm
b. Determining level of consciousness
c. Asking about an allergy to "sulfa" drugs
d. Checking intake and output for the last 24 hours - CORRECT ANSWER-
ANS: A
Adults over 65 years are usually prescribed a lower initial dose of
thyroid hormone agonists because they are more likely to have serious
adverse cardiac and nervous system effects. For this reason, doses are
increased more slowly in older adults than in younger adults until an
appropriate maintenance dose is reached.
DIF: Cognitive Level: Applying REF: p. 295
5. How do thyroid replacement drugs work to treat hypothyroidism?
