Which of the following is a common side effect of opioid medications?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Constipation. Opioid medications slow down the movement of the digestive system, leading to constipation. This is a well-known side effect of opioids due to their action on opioid receptors in the gut. Nausea and vomiting can also occur but are less common than constipation. Diarrhea is actually a less common side effect of opioids. Increased appetite is not a typical side effect of opioid medications.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Epinephrine. Epinephrine is the first-line treatment for severe allergic reactions like anaphylaxis as it works quickly to reverse symptoms and prevent potentially life-threatening complications. It acts by constricting blood vessels, relaxing smooth muscles, and reducing swelling. Diphenhydramine (A) provides relief for mild allergic reactions but is not as fast-acting or potent as epinephrine. Loratadine (C) is an antihistamine that helps with allergy symptoms but is not suitable for treating anaphylaxis. Albuterol (D) is a bronchodilator used for respiratory conditions like asthma and would not be effective in treating anaphylaxis.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Inhibiting factor Xa. Apixaban is a factor Xa inhibitor, which prevents the formation of thrombin. Factor Xa is a key enzyme in the coagulation cascade that converts prothrombin to thrombin. By inhibiting factor Xa, apixaban effectively reduces blood clot formation. Thrombin is directly inhibited by other anticoagulants like dabigatran. Vitamin K antagonists (e.g. warfarin) block the action of vitamin K, and antiplatelet agents (e.g. aspirin) inhibit platelet aggregation but do not work by inhibiting factor Xa like apixaban.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Acetaminophen. Acetaminophen is commonly prescribed for managing chronic pain in osteoarthritis due to its analgesic properties. It is a non-opioid pain reliever with fewer side effects compared to opioids like morphine (A), which are typically reserved for severe pain. Methotrexate (C) is a disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drug used for rheumatoid arthritis, not osteoarthritis. Lisinopril (D) is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for hypertension, not for pain management in osteoarthritis.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Rationale: Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor that blocks the conversion of angiotensin I to angiotensin II, leading to vasodilation and decreased blood pressure. Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker, not an ACE inhibitor like Lisinopril. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that acts on the kidneys, not on the renin-angiotensin system. Amlodipine is a calcium channel blocker that works by relaxing blood vessels, not by inhibiting the angiotensin-converting enzyme. Therefore, Lisinopril is the correct choice for treating hypertension by inhibiting the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II.