Adjuvant analgesics — MCQs

A 59-year-old female presents to the emergency department after a fall. She reports severe pain in her right hip and an inability to move her right leg. Her past medical history is notable for osteoporosis, rheumatoid arthritis, and has never undergone surgery before. The patient was adopted, and her family history is unknown. She has never smoked and drinks alcohol socially. Her temperature is 98.8°F (37.1°C), blood pressure is 150/90 mmHg, pulse is 110/min, and respirations are 22/min. Her right leg is shortened, abducted, and externally rotated. A radiograph demonstrates a displaced femoral neck fracture. She is admitted and eventually brought to the operating room to undergo right hip arthroplasty. While undergoing induction anesthesia with inhaled sevoflurane, she develops severe muscle contractions. Her temperature is 103.4°F (39.7°C). A medication with which of the following mechanisms of action is indicated in the acute management of this patient’s condition?

A 65-year-old male who is being treated for depression visits your emergency room complaining of being unable to urinate. In addition, the patient complains of tachycardia and dry mouth. He has no history of benign prostatic hyperplasia and reports of only being on one psychiatric medication. What type of psychiatric medication would cause such a side effect profile?

A 40-year-old man presents with multiple episodes of sudden-onset severe pain in his right side of the face lasting for only a few seconds. He describes the pain as lancinating, giving the sensation of an electrical shock. He says the episodes are precipitated by chewing or touching the face. Which of the following side effects is characteristic of the drug recommended for treatment of this patient’s most likely condition?

A 43-year-old woman walks into the clinic for an annual check-up appointment with her family physician. When asked about any changes in her life, she states that she lost her job about 6 months ago. Since then, she has lived with her boyfriend who is also unemployed. She frequently uses laxatives and takes some over the counter medications to help her sleep. Her blood pressure is 129/87 mm Hg, respirations are 12/min, pulse is 58/min, and temperature is 36.7°C (98.1°F). Her physical exam is mostly benign. Her pupils appear mildly constricted and she appears drowsy and subdued. The physician suspects that the physical findings in this patient are caused by a substance she is likely abusing. Which of the following is the substance?

A 67-year-old man comes to the physician because of progressive burning pain and intermittent "electrical shocks" in his right chest for 3 months. Over the last 2 weeks, the pain has increased to an extent that he can no longer tolerate clothing on the affected area. Three months ago, he had a rash around his right nipple and axilla that resolved a week later. The patient had a myocardial infarction 2 years ago. He has smoked one pack of cigarettes daily for 47 years. Current medications include aspirin, simvastatin, metoprolol, and ramipril. His temperature is 36.9°C (97.9°F), pulse is 92/min, and blood pressure is 150/95 mm Hg. Examination shows increased sensation to light touch over the right chest. The remainder of the physical examination shows no abnormalities. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in management?

A 53-year-old woman presents to her primary care physician due to her "feet feeling painful." She reports initially having decreased sensation on both of her feet and recently her hands. She now experiences paresthesias, numbness, and a "burning pain." She is recovering from a recent myocardial infarction. Approximately 1.5 weeks ago, she experienced mild watery diarrhea and an atypical pneumonia. For the past 3 weeks, she has been experiencing fatigue, trouble with concentration, and mild weight gain. Beyond this she has no other acute concerns. Her past medical history is significant for type II diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and coronary artery disease. She is currently taking metformin, aspirin, atorvastatin, metoprolol, and lisinopril. Her temperature is 99°F (37.2°C), blood pressure is 155/98 mmHg, pulse is 85/min, and respirations are 14/min. On physical exam, there is a loss of vibratory sensation and altered proprioception in the bilateral feet. She has impaired pain, light touch, and temperature sensation starting from her feet to mid-calf and hands. She has normal strength and muscle tone throughout her upper and lower extremities, as well as absent bilateral ankle reflexes. Which of the following is the best next step in management?

A 55-year-old man comes to the physician because of a 2-month history of gradually worsening pain and burning in his feet that is impairing his ability to sleep. He also has a non-healing, painless ulcer on the bottom of his right toe, which has been progressively increasing in size despite the application of bandages and antiseptic creams at home. He has a 7-year history of type II diabetes mellitus treated with oral metformin. He also has narrow-angle glaucoma treated with timolol eye drops and chronic back pain due to a motorcycle accident a few years ago, which is treated with tramadol. Vital signs are within normal limits. Physical examination shows a 3-cm, painless ulcer on the plantar surface of the right toe. The ulcer base is dry, with no associated erythema, edema, or purulent discharge. Neurological examination shows loss of touch, pinprick sensation, proprioception, and vibration sense of bilateral hands and feet. These sensations are preserved in the proximal portions of the limbs. Muscle strength is normal. Bilateral ankle reflexes are absent. A diabetic screening panel is done and shows a fasting blood sugar of 206 mg/dL. An ECG shows a left bundle branch block. Which of the following is the most appropriate next step in the management of this patient's pain?

A 42-year-old man is brought in to the emergency department by his daughter. She reports that her father drank heavily for the last 16 years, but he stopped 4 days ago after he decided to quit drinking on his birthday. She also reports that he has been talking about seeing cats running in his room since this morning, although there were no cats. There is no history of any known medical problems or any other substance use. On physical examination, his temperature is 38.4ºC (101.2ºF), heart rate is 116/min, blood pressure is 160/94 mm Hg, and respiratory rate is 22/min. He is severely agitated and is not oriented to his name, time, or place. On physical examination, profuse perspiration and tremors are present. Which of the following best describes the pathophysiologic mechanism underlying his condition?

A 71-year-old woman presents to her hematologist-oncologist for follow up after having begun doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide in addition to radiation therapy for the treatment of her stage 3 breast cancer. Her past medical history is significant for preeclampsia, hypertension, polycystic ovarian syndrome, and hypercholesterolemia. She currently smokes 1 pack of cigarettes per day, drinks a glass of wine per day, and denies any illicit drug use. The vital signs include: temperature 36.7°C (98.0°F), blood pressure 126/74 mm Hg, heart rate 111/min, and respiratory rate 23/min. On physical examination, the pulses are strong and irregular, she has a grade 3/6 holosystolic murmur heard best at the left upper sternal border, clear bilateral breath sounds, and erythema over her site of radiation. Which of the following statements regarding doxorubicin is true?

A 45-year-old woman presents to the emergency department with fever, cough, tonsillar enlargement, and bleeding lips. She has a diffuse blistering rash that encompasses the palms and soles of her feet, in total covering 55% of her total body surface area (TBSA). The upper epidermal layer easily slips away with slight rubbing. Within 24 hours the rash progresses to 88% TBSA involvement and the patient requires mechanical ventilation for respiratory distress. Which of the following is the most likely etiology of this patient’s condition?