NAPLEX Reviews Questions

The concentration is the first thing to calculate, using 1 mL of octreotide solution containing a concentration of 0.5mg/mL is really using 0.5mg of octreotide. If this is placed in 50 mL NS then it is 0.5mg/50mL which is 0.01mg/mL or 10 mcg/mL. If the patient needs 50 mcg of octreotide per hour then the patient will need 5, 10 mcg/mL doses or 5 mLs. So the rate for this patient would be 5 mL/hr.

Since the bioavailability of levothyroxine is roughly 50% (given in the QUESTION NO:). To convert the home dose to intravenous, it would be 50% of the oral dose. So 50% of oral 75 mcg would be 37.5 mcg intravenously.

Influenza vaccine is recommended annually, thus, WM should not skip it this year, and B is incorrect. Also, per the CDC, seasonal influenza outbreaks can occur as early as October, however, most activity peaks in January or later. Thus, it is not too late for WM to receive his vaccine in December, thus A is incorrect. Lastly, antiviral medications such as Tamiflu are an important adjunct to vaccinations. They are recommended as early as possible for any patient with confirmed or suspected influenza who, is 1) Hospitalized, 2) has severe, complicated, or progressive illness or 3) is at higher risk for influenza complications. Thus, WM is not a candidate with the given information and C is incorrect. Starting Tamiflu or Amantadine is not recommended for prevention. It has indication for treatment and prophylaxis.

B: A variety of drugs have been found to be of some value in the prevention and treatment of vomiting, especially cancer chemotherapy-induced vomiting. With the exception of thioridazine, most of the neuroleptic drugs have antiemetic effects that are mediated by blocking D2 dopaminergic receptors of the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the medulla. Phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine, were the first drugs shown to be effective antiemetic agents and act by blocking dopamine receptors. They are effective against low to moderately emetogenic chemotherapeutic agents (for example, fluorouracil and doxorubicin). Although increasing the dose improves antiemetic activity, side effects, including hypotension and restlessness, are dose limiting. Other adverse reactions include extrapyramidal symptom and sedation. A: Serotonin 5-HT3 antagonist is incorrect. The specific antagonists of the 5-HT3 receptor, ondansetron and granisetron, selectively block 5-HT3 receptors in the periphery and in the brain (chemoreceptor trigger zone). C: Cannabinoids related is incorrect. Cannabinoids are marijuana derivatives including dronabinol and nabilone and are effective against moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. However, they are seldom first-line antiemetics because of serious side effects. D: Blockage of prostaglandins is incorrect. Dexamethasone and methylprednisolone used alone are effective against mildly to moderately emetogenic chemotherapy. Their antiemetic mechanism is not known, but it may involve blockade of prostaglandins. E: H2 receptor antagonist is incorrect. Antagonists of histamine H2 receptor block the action of histamine at all H2 receptors; their chief clinical use is as inhibitors of gastric acid secretion.