Autonomic/CV Drugs — MCQs

A well-dressed couple presents to the emergency department with sudden onset of headache, a sensation of floating, and weakness of arms and legs after eating a plate of shellfish 2 hours ago. They mention that they had experienced tingling of the lips and mouth within 15 minutes of ingesting the shellfish. They also complain of mild nausea and abdominal discomfort. On physical examination, their vital signs are within normal limits. Their neurological examination reveals decreased strength in all extremities bilaterally and hyporeflexia. After detailed laboratory evaluation, the physician confirms the diagnosis of paralysis due to the presence of a specific toxin in the shellfish they had consumed. Which of the following mechanisms best explains the action of the toxin these patients had consumed?

A 64-year-old woman comes to the physician because of gradually worsening blurry vision in both eyes for 5 months. She has also had intermittent headaches for the past 2 months. She has type 2 diabetes mellitus, osteoarthritis, second-degree heart block, and presbyopia. Her current medications include metformin, lisinopril, and ibuprofen. Examination shows bilateral equal and reactive pupils. The best-corrected visual acuity in each eye is 20/40. There is narrowing of her visual fields bilaterally. Fundoscopic examination shows bilateral narrowing of the outer rim of the optic nerve head and cupping of the optic disk. Intraocular pressure by applanation tonometry is 27 mm Hg in the right eye and 26 mm Hg in the left eye (N=10–21 mm Hg). Gonioscopy shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 14-year-old boy is admitted to the emergency department with acute onset of confusion, malaise, diffuse abdominal pain, nausea, and a single episode of vomiting. He denies ingestion of any suspicious foods, fevers, respiratory symptoms, or any other symptoms preceding his current condition. However, he notes an increase in his liquid consumption and urinary frequency over the last 6 months. On physical examination, he is responsive but somnolent. His blood pressure is 90/50 mm Hg, heart rate is 101/min, respiratory rate is 21/min, temperature is 36.0°C (96.8°F), and SpO2 is 96% on room air. He has facial pallor and dry skin and mucous membranes. His lungs are clear to auscultation, and heart sounds are normal. His abdomen is soft with no rebound tenderness on palpation. Neurological examination is significant for 1+ deep tendon reflexes in all extremities. A dipstick test shows 3+ for ketones and glucose. The patient’s blood tests show the following findings: RBCs 4.1 million/mm3 Hb 13.7 mg/dL Hematocrit 56% Leukocyte count 7,800/mm3 Platelet count 321,000/mm3 Glucose 565 mg/dL Potassium 5.8 mEq/L Sodium 136 mEq/L ALT 15 U/L AST 17 U/L Amylase 88 U/L Bicarbonate 19 mEq/L BE −3 mEq/L pH 7.3 pCO2 37 mm Hg pO2 66 mm Hg Which of the medications listed below should be administered to the patient intravenously?

A 25-year-old woman comes into her family doctor’s clinic confused as to how she failed her work-required urine drug test. The patient has no significant past medical history and takes no medications. She states that she does not smoke and denies ever using any alcohol or recreational drugs. The patient’s social history reveals a recent change in her diet. For the past 2-weeks, she was experimenting with a ketogenic diet and using poppy seed bagels as her only source of carbohydrates. Her vital signs and physical examination are within normal limits. Which of the following physical exam findings might be present had this patient really been abusing the class of drug for which she most likely tested positive?

A 32-year-old woman comes to the clinic with concerns related to her medication. She recently learned that she is pregnant and wants to know if she needs to change anything. She is taking levothyroxine for hypothyroidism. She does not take any other medication. A urine pregnancy test is positive. What should this patient be advised about her medication during pregnancy?

A 48-year-old man is brought to the emergency department 20 minutes after being rescued from a house fire. He reports headache, metallic taste, abdominal pain, and nausea. He appears confused and agitated. His pulse is 125/min, respirations are 33/min, and blood pressure is 100/65 mm Hg. Pulse oximetry on room air shows an oxygen saturation of 98%. Physical examination shows a bright red color of the skin. His breath smells of bitter almonds. Hyperbaric oxygen therapy and appropriate pharmacotherapy are initiated. The expected beneficial effect of this drug is most likely due to which of the following mechanisms?

A 71-year-old man is brought to the emergency department by his wife because of increasing confusion, weakness, and vomiting for 1 day. He has had 5 episodes of vomiting and blurry vision; he told his wife that "everything appears in different colors." He has been unable to recall his wife's name or their address. His wife reports that his drug regimen was adjusted because of worsening tibial edema 1 week ago. He has congestive heart failure, atrial fibrillation, hypothyroidism, and osteoarthritis. Current medications include rivaroxaban, metoprolol, digoxin, levothyroxine, spironolactone, and furosemide. His temperature is 36.7°C (98°F), pulse is 56/min, and blood pressure is 98/68 mm Hg. He is confused and oriented only to person. Neurologic examination shows no focal findings. The abdomen is soft, and there is tenderness to palpation of both lower quadrants without guarding or rebound. There is 1+ pitting edema of both ankles. This patient is most likely to have which of the following ECG findings?

An 81-year-old man is admitted to the hospital due to acute decompensated heart failure. He has type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, coronary artery disease, and congestive heart failure. Current medications include lisinopril, metformin, and low-dose aspirin. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 45 years. His temperature is 37.6°C (99.7°F), pulse is 105/min and regular, respirations are 21/min, and blood pressure is 103/64 mm Hg. Laboratory studies show: Hemoglobin 13.7 g/dL Leukocyte count 8200/mm3 Serum Na+ 128 mEq/L Cl- 98 mEq/L K+ 4.9 mEq/L Urea nitrogen 58 mg/dL Glucose 200 mg/dL Creatinine 2.2 mg/dL Which of the following changes in the medication regimen is most appropriate in this patient at this time?

A 48-year-old woman comes to the physician because of recurrent right upper abdominal pain for 3 weeks. The pain usually occurs after meals and tends to radiate to the right shoulder. She reports that she otherwise feels well. She has more energy since she started an intermittent fasting diet and has rapidly lost 9.0 kg (20 lbs). She is 160 cm (5 ft 3 in) tall and weighs 100 kg (220 lb); BMI is 39.1 kg/m2. Physical examination shows a nontender abdomen. Abdominal ultrasonography shows several small stones in the gallbladder without calcification. When discussing treatment options, she states that she does not wish to undergo surgery and asks about other possibilities. Which of the following is the most appropriate pharmacotherapy to address the underlying cause of this patient's condition?

A 62-year-old Caucasian male receiving treatment for stable angina experiences intermittent throbbing headaches. What is the most likely cause?