NSG5240 Pharm Week 9 Quiz | Questions
and Answers | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
| South College
A patient who has seasonal allergies works as a truck driver and needs the least sedating
antihistamine to control symptoms. Which medication will the provider recommend?
Levocetirizine
Cetirizine
Fexofenadine
Loratadine - ANSWER- -Fexofenadine
Fexofenadine is the least sedating of the second-generation antihistamines and so is the least
likely to have synergistic effects with alcohol. Cetirizine, levocetirizine, and loratadine all have
sedative side effects to some extent and thus would be less safe.
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. Which of the following is the
primary mechanism of action of methotrexate in autoimmune diseases?
It blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
It inhibits the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, thus suppressing immune cell proliferation.
It inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1, COX-2).
It reduces the number of activated T lymphocytes. - ANSWER- -It inhibits the synthesis of
purines and pyrimidines, thus suppressing immune cell proliferation.
,Methotrexate is an antimetabolite that inhibits the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, which
are necessary for DNA replication in immune cells, thus suppressing immune function.
A patient who takes a glucocorticoid reports having tarry stools but denies gastric pain. After
ruling out anemia and determining that the patient is not in danger, which action will the
provider take?
Counseling the patient to use over-the-counter antacids.
Prescribing an antiulcer medication.
Reassuring the patient not to worry unless there is gastric pain.
Discontinuing the glucocorticoid immediately. - ANSWER- -Prescribing an antiulcer
medication.
Glucocorticoid therapy can increase the risk of gastric ulcer and possibly GI bleeding. Treatment
with antiulcer medications is indicated, but not with OTC antacids. Gastric pain is usually
decreased because of the glucocorticoids, so absence of gastric pain is not reassuring. The
glucocorticoid should be withdrawn slowly, not immediately.
Which of the following is a common side effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Osteoporosis
Hyperkalemia
Hypoglycemia
Bradycardia - ANSWER- -Osteoporosis
Long-term corticosteroid therapy can decrease bone mineral density, leading to osteoporosis.
, A patient with severe Paget disease of the bone asks the provider what can be done to alleviate
the pain. The provider will discuss the use of which medication with the patient?
Calcitonin-salmon
Alendronate
Calcifediol
Long-acting NSAIDs - ANSWER- -Calcitonin-salmon
Calcitonin-salmon is the drug of choice for rapid relief of pain associated with Paget disease.
Alendronate, calcifediol, and NSAIDs are not indicated.
A 60-year-old female patient is about to begin long-term therapy with a glucocorticoid. Which
intervention will the provider prescribe to help minimize the patient's risk of developing
osteoporosis?
Estrogen therapy
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Skeletal x-rays before treatment
Baseline vitamin D level - ANSWER- -Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can help minimize the patient's risk of developing
osteoporosis. A baseline vitamin D level is not recommended. Estrogen therapy can help in
postmenopausal women, but its risks outweigh its benefits at this patient's age. Patients should
undergo evaluation of the bone mineral density of the lower spine, not skeletal x-rays.
A patient who has been taking a glucocorticoid for several months arrives in the clinic. The
patient's cheeks appear full and there is a prominent hump of fat present on the upper back.
The provider will order which test?
and Answers | 2026 Updates | 100% correct
| South College
A patient who has seasonal allergies works as a truck driver and needs the least sedating
antihistamine to control symptoms. Which medication will the provider recommend?
Levocetirizine
Cetirizine
Fexofenadine
Loratadine - ANSWER- -Fexofenadine
Fexofenadine is the least sedating of the second-generation antihistamines and so is the least
likely to have synergistic effects with alcohol. Cetirizine, levocetirizine, and loratadine all have
sedative side effects to some extent and thus would be less safe.
A patient with rheumatoid arthritis is prescribed methotrexate. Which of the following is the
primary mechanism of action of methotrexate in autoimmune diseases?
It blocks tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha).
It inhibits the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, thus suppressing immune cell proliferation.
It inhibits cyclooxygenase-1 and 2 (COX-1, COX-2).
It reduces the number of activated T lymphocytes. - ANSWER- -It inhibits the synthesis of
purines and pyrimidines, thus suppressing immune cell proliferation.
,Methotrexate is an antimetabolite that inhibits the synthesis of purines and pyrimidines, which
are necessary for DNA replication in immune cells, thus suppressing immune function.
A patient who takes a glucocorticoid reports having tarry stools but denies gastric pain. After
ruling out anemia and determining that the patient is not in danger, which action will the
provider take?
Counseling the patient to use over-the-counter antacids.
Prescribing an antiulcer medication.
Reassuring the patient not to worry unless there is gastric pain.
Discontinuing the glucocorticoid immediately. - ANSWER- -Prescribing an antiulcer
medication.
Glucocorticoid therapy can increase the risk of gastric ulcer and possibly GI bleeding. Treatment
with antiulcer medications is indicated, but not with OTC antacids. Gastric pain is usually
decreased because of the glucocorticoids, so absence of gastric pain is not reassuring. The
glucocorticoid should be withdrawn slowly, not immediately.
Which of the following is a common side effect of long-term corticosteroid therapy?
Osteoporosis
Hyperkalemia
Hypoglycemia
Bradycardia - ANSWER- -Osteoporosis
Long-term corticosteroid therapy can decrease bone mineral density, leading to osteoporosis.
, A patient with severe Paget disease of the bone asks the provider what can be done to alleviate
the pain. The provider will discuss the use of which medication with the patient?
Calcitonin-salmon
Alendronate
Calcifediol
Long-acting NSAIDs - ANSWER- -Calcitonin-salmon
Calcitonin-salmon is the drug of choice for rapid relief of pain associated with Paget disease.
Alendronate, calcifediol, and NSAIDs are not indicated.
A 60-year-old female patient is about to begin long-term therapy with a glucocorticoid. Which
intervention will the provider prescribe to help minimize the patient's risk of developing
osteoporosis?
Estrogen therapy
Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Skeletal x-rays before treatment
Baseline vitamin D level - ANSWER- -Calcium and vitamin D supplements
Calcium and vitamin D supplements can help minimize the patient's risk of developing
osteoporosis. A baseline vitamin D level is not recommended. Estrogen therapy can help in
postmenopausal women, but its risks outweigh its benefits at this patient's age. Patients should
undergo evaluation of the bone mineral density of the lower spine, not skeletal x-rays.
A patient who has been taking a glucocorticoid for several months arrives in the clinic. The
patient's cheeks appear full and there is a prominent hump of fat present on the upper back.
The provider will order which test?
