And Answers 2023/2024
hyperlipidemia ✅high cholesterol levels in the blood, which can lead to heart dz, stroke
and other problems caused by block arteries
Atherosclerosis ✅Changes in the walls of large arteries consisting of lipid deposits on
the artery walls, which incidences can be reduced with proper treatment of
hyperlipidemia
Treatment goal of hyperlipidemia ✅lowering of the cholesterol to appropriate levels to
decrease the risk of heart attack and stroke
Non-pharmacology treatment ✅Therapeutic Lifestyle Changes (TLC) important part of
treatment and are not futile
Pharmacology ✅Medications
Statins ✅lower cholesterol in the blood and reduce its production in the liver by
blocking the enzyme that produces it; has adverse effects that can occur more
frequently at higher doses.
LDL cholesterol ✅goal of < 70 in high risk patients
goal of < 100 in mod high-risk patients
DM pts w/ acute coronary artery syndrome & multiple or uncontrolled risk factors; Tx =
✅TLC, changes in diet restrict refined carbs (sugar & liquid calories), wgt loss (pt will
not be able to participate in aerobic activity if had previous MI), decreased insulin
resistance, decreased BP, improved cardiovascular conditioning, limit/ restrict ETOH
consumption.
Which patients are easier to manage? ✅Patients at low risk for developing heart dz.
What med is recommended if the LDL cannot be decreased by a high dose of potent
statin? ✅Nicotinic acid
Med combination to lower triglycerides and increase the HDL ✅a fibrate/nicotinic acid
with statin
Patient Education for Statin ✅Pt to report report extreme fatigue, darked-color urine, ck
elevated, rhabdomylitis (muscle aches); if reported stop immediately and check
LFT(Liver Fxn Test)
, lescol (Statin) ✅This med can affect liver function and increase liver enzymes as well
cause the pt to feel weak, fatigue and have muscle aches checking the LFT is
recommended
Acute drug induced hepatitis ✅the Liver enzymes are elevated w/ the use of statin
If pt has acute and chronic hepatitis, liver disease cirrhosis and alcoholism; or
pregnant/breastfeeding mothers ✅DO NOT PRESCRIBE STATINS
First-line therapy for hyperlipidemia ✅Therapeutic Life Changes (TLC) Such as:
balanced diet, weight loss, minimize risk factors before medications
Which drug class is most effective for the management of hyperlipidemia with
concurrent elevated triglycerides (TGs)? ✅Fibrates
How do you identify the potential serious adverse drug reactions with hyperlipidemia
agents? ✅Monitor BP within 1 to 3 hours of administration to check for hypotensive
affect
What type of counseling would you give to a pt who just started on hyperlipidemia
agents, such as an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor (statin), etc? ✅myopathy and
hepatatoxicity
What is the second line treatment options if a patient fails a statin? ✅Bile acid-binding
resins
Patient factors which preclude use of an HMG Co-A reductase inhibitor ✅*patients with
active hepatic disease or unexplained persistent elevations in aminotransferase levels
* in pregnancy and during breastfeeding as cholesterol is an essential component for
fetal and infant synthesis of steroids and cell membrane development
*caution is necessary for patients with already increased blood glucose *levels or
increased Hba1c levels.
can increase the risk of statin-induced myopathy
Which hyperlipidemia agents are appropriate for use in pregnancy with respect to risk to
fetus as well as mother? ✅Fibrates
Which drug (statin) decrease LDL at a greatest percentage? ✅Rosuvastatin
Post MI dose of ASA ✅BMI > 29 = 325mg ASA
BMI < 29 = 81mg ASA (low dose)