Pharmacology FNP EXAM QUESTIONS
AND CORRECT ANSWERS PASSING
RATE EXTREME GRADED A+
Macrolides (erythro, clarithro, pediazole), Antifungals (ketoconazole,
fluconazole), Cisapride (Propulsid) *Been pulled, Cimetidine
(Tagament), Citalopram (Celexa) - <<<ANSWER>>>Causes the most
interactions
Cause or exacerbate CHF in some patient. Do not use in Class III or IV
heart failure; Stop Actos if c/o dyspnea, weight gain, cough (heart
failure) - <<<ANSWER>>>Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) - Pioglitazone
(Actos)
High risk of weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and type 2;
Monitor weight every 3 months, higher mortality in elderly patients
Monitor TSH, lipids, weight/BMI - <<<ANSWER>>>Atypical
antipsychotics -
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Quietipine (Seroquel)
Jaw pain (jaw necrosis), chest pain, difficulty swallowing, burning mid-
back (perforation).
Take alone upon awakening with 8 oz glass of water not juice before
breakfast.
Do not lie down x 30 min. afterwards, do not mix with other meds. -
<<<ANSWER>>>Bisposphonates-
,Alendronate (Fosamax)
Risedronate (Actonel)
Do not mix with grapefruit juice
Drug induced hepatitis or rhabdomyolysis higher if mixed with azole
antifungals
High dose Zocor (80mg) has highest risk for rhabdo (muscle pain,
tenderness)
CK (creatine kinase) level goes up - <<<ANSWER>>>Statin-
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
High risk of C. diff associated diarrhea
Metronidazole (Flagyl) PO TID x 10-14 days
Probiotics daily - BID x few weeks - <<<ANSWER>>>Lincosamides-
Clindamycin (Cleocin)
Pt. has
Chronic hepatitis B/C/D, dehydration, liver disease, cirrhosis, heavy
drinker (alcoholic) - <<<ANSWER>>>Avoid Acetominophen if
Oral steriods (Prednisone) 40-60 mg/day (high-dosed) for 3-4 days &
Methylprednisolone (Medrol dose pack) x 7 days
Used for:
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
Polymyalgia rheumatica (dramatic relief of symptoms)
Asthma or acute asthmatic exacerbations
Temporal arteritis (high doses x several weeks to months) and uveitis
Skin (eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis) -
<<<ANSWER>>>Glucocorticoids (Steroids)
, CHTH or THKH
Class 1 is superpotent - Clobetasol (Temovate)
Class 7 is least potent - hydrocortisone - <<<ANSWER>>>List from
most potent to least:
1) Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
2) Hydrocortisone
3) Clobetasol (Temovate)
4) Halocinonide (Halog)
For short term use and topical - <<<ANSWER>>>When to taper
steroids
children, face, intertriginous areas, and the genitals -
<<<ANSWER>>>Low potency used for
thicker skin (scalp, soles of feet, palms of the hands, or for plaques
(psoriasis) - <<<ANSWER>>>Moderate to high potency used for
topical steroid is applied and covered with plastic wrap
Should not be occluded for more than 2 weeks (r/f hypothalmic-
pituitary-axis suppression) - <<<ANSWER>>>What is "occlusion"?
Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
Do not inject septic joint - <<<ANSWER>>>Treatment for acutely
inflamed joints (knees/hips/shoulders/elbows)
HPA suppression
Cushing's disease
Osteoporosis
Immunosuppression
Skin changes from long-termy topical therapy (skin atrophy, striae,
telangiectasia, acne) - <<<ANSWER>>>Side effects of chronic use of
steroids
AND CORRECT ANSWERS PASSING
RATE EXTREME GRADED A+
Macrolides (erythro, clarithro, pediazole), Antifungals (ketoconazole,
fluconazole), Cisapride (Propulsid) *Been pulled, Cimetidine
(Tagament), Citalopram (Celexa) - <<<ANSWER>>>Causes the most
interactions
Cause or exacerbate CHF in some patient. Do not use in Class III or IV
heart failure; Stop Actos if c/o dyspnea, weight gain, cough (heart
failure) - <<<ANSWER>>>Thiazolidinediones (TZDs) - Pioglitazone
(Actos)
High risk of weight gain, metabolic syndrome, and type 2;
Monitor weight every 3 months, higher mortality in elderly patients
Monitor TSH, lipids, weight/BMI - <<<ANSWER>>>Atypical
antipsychotics -
Risperidone (Risperdal)
Olanzapine (Zyprexa)
Quietipine (Seroquel)
Jaw pain (jaw necrosis), chest pain, difficulty swallowing, burning mid-
back (perforation).
Take alone upon awakening with 8 oz glass of water not juice before
breakfast.
Do not lie down x 30 min. afterwards, do not mix with other meds. -
<<<ANSWER>>>Bisposphonates-
,Alendronate (Fosamax)
Risedronate (Actonel)
Do not mix with grapefruit juice
Drug induced hepatitis or rhabdomyolysis higher if mixed with azole
antifungals
High dose Zocor (80mg) has highest risk for rhabdo (muscle pain,
tenderness)
CK (creatine kinase) level goes up - <<<ANSWER>>>Statin-
Atorvastatin (Lipitor)
Lovastatin (Mevacor)
Rosuvastatin (Crestor)
Simvastatin (Zocor)
High risk of C. diff associated diarrhea
Metronidazole (Flagyl) PO TID x 10-14 days
Probiotics daily - BID x few weeks - <<<ANSWER>>>Lincosamides-
Clindamycin (Cleocin)
Pt. has
Chronic hepatitis B/C/D, dehydration, liver disease, cirrhosis, heavy
drinker (alcoholic) - <<<ANSWER>>>Avoid Acetominophen if
Oral steriods (Prednisone) 40-60 mg/day (high-dosed) for 3-4 days &
Methylprednisolone (Medrol dose pack) x 7 days
Used for:
Rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders
Polymyalgia rheumatica (dramatic relief of symptoms)
Asthma or acute asthmatic exacerbations
Temporal arteritis (high doses x several weeks to months) and uveitis
Skin (eczema, psoriasis, contact dermatitis) -
<<<ANSWER>>>Glucocorticoids (Steroids)
, CHTH or THKH
Class 1 is superpotent - Clobetasol (Temovate)
Class 7 is least potent - hydrocortisone - <<<ANSWER>>>List from
most potent to least:
1) Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
2) Hydrocortisone
3) Clobetasol (Temovate)
4) Halocinonide (Halog)
For short term use and topical - <<<ANSWER>>>When to taper
steroids
children, face, intertriginous areas, and the genitals -
<<<ANSWER>>>Low potency used for
thicker skin (scalp, soles of feet, palms of the hands, or for plaques
(psoriasis) - <<<ANSWER>>>Moderate to high potency used for
topical steroid is applied and covered with plastic wrap
Should not be occluded for more than 2 weeks (r/f hypothalmic-
pituitary-axis suppression) - <<<ANSWER>>>What is "occlusion"?
Triamcinolone (Kenalog)
Do not inject septic joint - <<<ANSWER>>>Treatment for acutely
inflamed joints (knees/hips/shoulders/elbows)
HPA suppression
Cushing's disease
Osteoporosis
Immunosuppression
Skin changes from long-termy topical therapy (skin atrophy, striae,
telangiectasia, acne) - <<<ANSWER>>>Side effects of chronic use of
steroids
