Which of the following is a common side effect of NSAIDs (Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs)?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Gastrointestinal bleeding. NSAIDs can irritate the lining of the stomach and intestines, leading to ulcers or bleeding. This is a well-documented and common side effect of NSAIDs due to their mechanism of action. Hypertension (A), hypoglycemia (C), and weight gain (D) are not typically associated with NSAIDs. Hypertension is more commonly linked to other types of medications, hypoglycemia is not a known side effect of NSAIDs, and weight gain is not a common side effect either.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blocking muscarinic receptors in the lungs. Tiotropium is an anticholinergic medication that works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the lungs. By doing so, it causes bronchodilation and helps in managing asthma symptoms. The other choices are incorrect because tiotropium does not stimulate beta-2 adrenergic receptors (B), inhibit the release of histamine from mast cells (C), or directly decrease the production of mucus in the airways (D). The mechanism of action of tiotropium specifically involves blocking muscarinic receptors, making choice A the correct answer.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Blocking the action of angiotensin II at its receptor. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB), which binds to angiotensin II receptors, preventing angiotensin II from exerting its effects such as vasoconstriction and aldosterone release. This action results in vasodilation, decreased blood pressure, and reduced workload on the heart. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect as losartan does not inhibit the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, increase sodium excretion in the kidneys, or block calcium channels in the blood vessels.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The correct answer is A: Inhibiting the absorption of cholesterol in the small intestine. Ezetimibe is a medication that works by blocking the absorption of dietary cholesterol in the small intestine, leading to decreased levels of LDL cholesterol in the blood. This mechanism helps reduce overall cholesterol levels in the body. Choices B, C, and D are incorrect because ezetimibe does not inhibit HMG-CoA reductase in the liver (like statins), increase the excretion of cholesterol in the bile, or increase HDL cholesterol levels.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D (All of the above). Atorvastatin, Simvastatin, and Fluvastatin are all examples of statins, a class of medications that inhibit HMG-CoA reductase enzyme to lower cholesterol levels. Statins work by blocking the production of cholesterol in the liver, leading to decreased LDL (bad) cholesterol and increased HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Each of these medications has a slightly different potency and dosing regimen, but they all target the same enzyme and have similar mechanisms of action. Therefore, choosing all of the above as the correct answer is appropriate as they are all commonly prescribed to lower cholesterol levels.