Free Endocrine and Diabetes Drugs MCQs with Answers

• A. Insulin lispro
• B. Regular insulin
• C. NPH insulin
• D. Insulin glargine

Explanation: Insulin lispro is rapid acting and usually starts working in about 15 minutes, so it is given close to meals.

• A. Mix it with NPH insulin in one syringe
• B. Mix it with regular insulin before injection
• C. Give it separately from other insulin preparations
• D. Shake it vigorously to resuspend the insulin

Explanation: Insulin glargine must be administered separately because mixing can alter its action and stability.

• A. Give 15 grams of fast-acting carbohydrate
• B. Administer the scheduled dose of insulin
• C. Encourage the patient to walk for ten minutes
• D. Give a high-fat meal and recheck tomorrow

Explanation: The symptoms and glucose level indicate conscious hypoglycaemia, so fast-acting carbohydrate is given first.

• A. It stimulates pancreatic insulin release
• B. It reduces hepatic glucose production
• C. It replaces circulating thyroid hormone
• D. It blocks intestinal fat absorption

Explanation: Metformin primarily decreases glucose production by the liver and improves insulin sensitivity.

• A. I take it with breakfast and milk each morning
• B. I take it on an empty stomach before breakfast
• C. I stop it when my energy level becomes normal
• D. I take it only when I feel symptoms of hypothyroidism

Explanation: Levothyroxine is usually taken consistently on an empty stomach, commonly 30 to 60 minutes before breakfast, to improve absorption.

• A. Advise extra fluids and continue the medicine
• B. Report the symptoms promptly to the prescriber
• C. Give the next dose with an antacid
• D. Reassure the patient that this is an expected effect

Explanation: Fever and sore throat may indicate agranulocytosis, a serious adverse effect of methimazole that requires prompt evaluation and a blood…

• A. Stop the medicine when symptoms improve
• B. Double the dose after missing any tablet
• C. Taper the medicine only as prescribed
• D. Take the medicine only during an infection

Explanation: Long-term corticosteroid therapy suppresses the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, so sudden withdrawal can cause adrenal insufficiency.

• A. Increased appetite after the morning dose
• B. Mild facial rounding over several weeks
• C. Fever with a productive cough
• D. Difficulty sleeping after an evening dose

Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress immune and inflammatory responses, so infection may develop with less obvious symptoms and requires prompt…

• A. Take it with milk before going to bed
• B. Take it with plain water and remain upright
• C. Take it with calcium at the same time
• D. Crush it and mix it with fruit juice

Explanation: Alendronate is taken with plain water on an empty stomach, and the patient remains upright to reduce oesophageal irritation and improve…

• A. Advise her to rest and observe the symptoms
• B. Arrange urgent assessment for possible pulmonary embolism
• C. Suggest taking the next tablet with food
• D. Explain that mild breathlessness is expected

Explanation: Combined hormonal contraceptives can increase the risk of venous thromboembolism, and sudden chest pain with shortness of breath may…

• A. Shake the vial vigorously before withdrawing insulin
• B. Roll the vial gently between the palms to mix it
• C. Warm the vial in hot water before drawing the dose
• D. Leave the vial undisturbed because NPH must remain clear

Explanation: NPH insulin is a cloudy suspension, so the vial is gently rolled to resuspend the particles.

• A. NPH insulin, because it is longer acting
• B. Regular insulin, because it is clear insulin
• C. NPH insulin, because it prevents hypoglycaemia
• D. Regular insulin, because it has the longest duration

Explanation: When regular insulin is mixed with NPH, the clear regular insulin is drawn up before the cloudy NPH insulin.

• A. Give the usual dose of NPH insulin
• B. Check the blood glucose and notify the prescriber
• C. Encourage the patient to walk before breakfast
• D. Administer another dose of rapid-acting insulin

Explanation: Insulin lispro acts rapidly, and giving it without food can cause hypoglycaemia.

• A. Take the medicine just before the planned meal
• B. Take the medicine only when glucose is above normal
• C. Skip meals after taking the medicine to reduce weight
• D. Stop checking glucose when the medicine is started

Explanation: Glipizide is a sulfonylurea that increases pancreatic insulin release and is taken before a meal.

• A. Mild hunger before the evening meal
• B. A slight metallic taste after tablets
• C. New ankle swelling with rapid weight gain
• D. A blood glucose level within the prescribed target

Explanation: Pioglitazone can cause fluid retention and may worsen or precipitate heart failure.

• A. The patient reports increased appetite
• B. The patient is taking a daily calcium supplement
• C. The patient may be pregnant
• D. The patient has mild heat intolerance

Explanation: Radioactive iodine can damage the fetal thyroid and is contraindicated during pregnancy.

• A. Serum thyroid-stimulating hormone level
• B. Serum alanine aminotransferase level
• C. Serum amylase level
• D. Serum prothrombin time

Explanation: In primary hypothyroidism, thyroid-stimulating hormone is monitored to assess the response to levothyroxine replacement.

• A. Blood glucose monitoring at prescribed intervals
• B. Hearing assessment after every dose
• C. Visual acuity testing before each dose
• D. Urine specific gravity after every meal

Explanation: Corticosteroids increase blood glucose by promoting gluconeogenesis and reducing insulin sensitivity.

• A. Acute adrenal insufficiency
• B. Excess thyroid hormone activity
• C. Acute iron toxicity
• D. Uncomplicated drug tolerance

Explanation: Long-term corticosteroids suppress the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and illness with poor absorption can precipitate adrenal…

• A. Report possible hypercalcaemia and review the supplements
• B. Give an additional calcium tablet with fruit juice
• C. Tell the patient these symptoms prove treatment is working
• D. Replace vitamin D with an extra dose of levothyroxine

Explanation: Excess calcium or vitamin D can produce hypercalcaemia, with constipation, nausea, thirst and polyuria among possible findings.