CPMS Pharmacology and Medications Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A physician prescribes a medication to be taken 'PO BID'. As a medical scribe, you understand this means the patient should take the medication:
- By mouth, twice a day (Correct answer)
- As needed for pain, by mouth
- Under the tongue, three times a day
- By injection, every other day
Correct answer: By mouth, twice a day
The abbreviation 'PO' is from the Latin 'per os,' meaning 'by mouth.' 'BID' is from the Latin 'bis in die,' meaning 'twice a day.' Therefore, 'PO BID' directs the patient to take the medication orally two times per day.
Question 2: A patient with hypertension is prescribed a medication from the 'beta-blocker' class. Which of the following medications falls into this category?
- Lisinopril
- Amlodipine
- Metoprolol (Correct answer)
- Hydrochlorothiazide
Correct answer: Metoprolol
Metoprolol is a beta-blocker, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and other cardiovascular conditions. Medications in this class typically end in '-olol'. Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor, Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker, and Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic.
Question 3: A provider dictates the following for a patient with a bacterial infection: 'Prescription for amoxicillin 500mg, dispense #30, take one tablet TID until finished.' What is the total daily dose of amoxicillin for this patient?
- 1000 mg
- 500 mg
- 2000 mg
- 1500 mg (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 1500 mg
The prescription instructs the patient to take one 500mg tablet. The frequency is 'TID,' which is the medical abbreviation for 'three times a day.' Therefore, the total daily dose is 500 mg multiplied by 3, which equals 1500 mg.
Question 4: Which of the following medication classes is primarily used to prevent the formation of blood clots?
- Analgesics
- Anticoagulants (Correct answer)
- Antiemetics
- Antihypertensives
Correct answer: Anticoagulants
Anticoagulants are a class of drugs that work to prevent blood coagulation or clotting. Analgesics relieve pain, antiemetics are used to treat nausea and vomiting, and antihypertensives are used to lower high blood pressure.
Question 5: A patient is prescribed an NSAID for joint pain. The scribe knows that NSAID stands for:
- Non-Symptomatic Anti-Inflammatory Drug
- Narcotic Sedative for Intense Discomfort
- Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug (Correct answer)
- New-Standard Analgesic for Inflammation
Correct answer: Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug
NSAID is the acronym for Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drug. This class of medication, which includes drugs like ibuprofen and naproxen, is used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation.
Question 6: A patient with type 2 diabetes mentions they are taking metformin. The primary goal of this medication is to:
- Increase insulin production by the pancreas
- Lower blood glucose levels (Correct answer)
- Reduce cholesterol absorption
- Lower blood pressure
Correct answer: Lower blood glucose levels
Metformin is a first-line oral medication for type 2 diabetes. Its primary mechanism of action is to decrease glucose production by the liver and improve the body's sensitivity to insulin, thereby lowering blood glucose levels.
CPMS Pharmacology and Medications Questions and Answers
A physician prescribes a medication to be taken 'PO BID'.
As a medical scribe, you understand this means the patient should take the medication: