PSA practice assessments

Question 1

write the prescription for LMWH dalteparin in a surgical patient for DVT prophylaxis

Answer 1

dalteparin 5000 units, SC, daily

Question 2

write the IV glucose prescription for hypoglycaemia

Answer 2

20% glucose infusion, 50-100ml given over max 20 mins (15 mins or 20 mins appropriate)

Question 3

when should antilpatelets be stopped prior to surgery?

Answer 3

7 days before surgery

Question 4

what is recommended as 1st line treatment in cases of alcohol withdrawal?

Answer 4

benzos

(chlordiazepoxide hydrochloride)

Question 5

what should be given to a patient on warfarin if their INR >1.5 the day before surgery?

Answer 5

vit K 1-5mg, oral

Question 6

what is the most important information to give a patient starting on rivaroxiban?

Answer 6

take it with food - it improves absorption

Question 7

in which antibiotic is cholestatic jaundice a known side effect?

Answer 7

flucloxicillin

paracetamol doesn’t generally cause jaundice when used in appropriate doses

Question 8

how is neutropenia screened for in carbimazole use?

Answer 8

FBC testing

Question 9

what is the most appropriate method to monitor for the beneficial effects of ACEi in a patient with heart failure?

Answer 9

exercise tolerance testing - an improvement in this suggests drug is working

Question 10

what is an appropriate way to manage a transient rise in blood glucose due to corticosteroids in a diabetic patient?

Answer 10

increase insulin regime by 10%

ie- if they were on biphasic 20 units of insulin BD, increase it to 22 units of insulin BD