Pharmacology and Injections Flashcards

A patient is prescribed metformin for type 2 diabetes. Which of the following is a key counseling point the medical assistant should reinforce?

Answer: Avoid alcohol and report any signs of muscle pain or weakness

Metformin combined with alcohol increases the risk of lactic acidosis, and patients should report muscle pain as an early warning sign.

When drawing up two different insulins into one syringe, what is the correct order?

Answer: Draw clear (regular) first, then cloudy (NPH)

Clear (short-acting) insulin is drawn first to prevent contamination of the clear vial with the cloudy suspension.

A patient receives a subcutaneous injection of 0.5 mL. Which site is LEAST appropriate for this route?

Answer: Dorsogluteal muscle

The dorsogluteal site is an intramuscular, not a subcutaneous, injection site and should be avoided due to proximity to the sciatic nerve.

Which drug classification includes medications like loratadine and cetirizine used for allergic rhinitis?

Answer: Second-generation antihistamines

Loratadine and cetirizine are second-generation antihistamines that cause less sedation than first-generation agents.

A Schedule II controlled substance requires which of the following?

Answer: A written or electronic prescription with no refills

Schedule II substances have high abuse potential and require a written or electronic prescription with no refills allowed.

When administering an IM injection into the vastus lateralis, where exactly should the needle be inserted?

Answer: Outer middle third of the thigh

The vastus lateralis IM site is the outer middle third of the thigh, avoiding major nerves and vessels.

Which of the following best describes the pharmacokinetic term 'half-life'?

Answer: The time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%

Half-life is the time needed for the concentration of a drug in plasma to fall to half its original value.