A 60-year-old male with hyperlipidemia is prescribed atorvastatin. Atorvastatin works by:

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase in the liver. Atorvastatin is a statin drug that works by inhibiting this enzyme, which plays a crucial role in the synthesis of cholesterol in the liver. By blocking this enzyme, atorvastatin reduces the production of cholesterol in the liver, leading to lower levels of LDL cholesterol in the bloodstream. Incorrect answers: A: Inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the intestines - This is the mechanism of action of drugs like ezetimibe, not atorvastatin. C: Increasing HDL cholesterol levels - Atorvastatin primarily lowers LDL cholesterol levels and has minimal effect on raising HDL cholesterol levels. D: Increasing the excretion of cholesterol in the bile - This is the mechanism of action of bile acid sequestrants, not atorvastatin.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: All of the above. Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, and Lovastatin are all statin medications that work by inhibiting the enzyme HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol levels. These medications are commonly prescribed to lower LDL cholesterol and decrease the risk of cardiovascular events. Choosing D as the correct answer is appropriate because all the listed medications belong to the same class and function in the same way. Choices A, B, and C are incorrect individually because they are all valid options for medications that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase to reduce cholesterol levels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blocking leukotriene receptors in the lungs. Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist, which works by blocking the action of leukotrienes, inflammatory mediators that cause bronchoconstriction and inflammation in asthma. By blocking leukotriene receptors, montelukast helps to reduce bronchoconstriction and inflammation in the lungs, thereby improving asthma symptoms. B: Relaxing bronchial smooth muscle by stimulating beta-2 adrenergic receptors is incorrect because montelukast does not directly stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors. C: Inhibiting the release of histamine from mast cells is incorrect because montelukast does not inhibit histamine release; it specifically targets leukotriene receptors. D: Increasing acetylcholine release in the lungs is incorrect because montelukast does not affect acetylcholine release.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Nitroglycerin is the correct answer for treating acute angina attacks. It is a vasodilator that helps relax and widen blood vessels, increasing blood flow to the heart muscle. This relieves chest pain during an angina attack. Aspirin is not typically used to treat acute angina attacks but is used for its antiplatelet effects in preventing heart attacks. Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide are not indicated for the acute treatment of angina attacks as they are blood pressure medications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inhibiting glucagon release from the pancreas. Liraglutide is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist, which stimulates insulin secretion and inhibits glucagon release from the pancreas. By inhibiting glucagon release, liraglutide helps lower blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect because liraglutide does not directly increase insulin secretion, improve insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues, or inhibit the absorption of glucose in the intestines.