Which of the following medications reduces immune system-mediated inflammation via inhibition of pyrimidine synthesis to reduce the number of activated lymphocytes in the CNS?

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Teriflunomide, used in multiple sclerosis, inhibits dihydroorotate dehydrogenase, blocking pyrimidine synthesis critical for lymphocyte proliferation, reducing CNS inflammation by limiting activated immune cells. Riluzole modulates glutamate for ALS, not immunity. Rotigotine, a dopamine agonist, treats Parkinson's. Dexamethasone, a corticosteroid, suppresses inflammation broadly via glucocorticoid pathways, not pyrimidine-specific mechanisms. Teriflunomide's targeted action on lymphocyte replication distinguishes it in MS, decreasing relapses by curbing immune-mediated damage, a precise fit for this description.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: The most accurate response by the nurse is "This drug is the first medication your health care provider will use to treat your angina." This response provides important information to the patient that Ranexa is specifically used to treat angina. It also indicates that Ranexa is often the initial medication chosen for treating this condition, providing reassurance to the patient about the appropriateness of the prescribed drug.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Metformin primarily works by decreasing hepatic glucose production and improving insulin sensitivity in peripheral tissues. It does not increase insulin resistance (B), block carbohydrate absorption (C), or stimulate insulin release (D). These mechanisms help lower blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Fibrinolytic drugs act by promoting the breakdown of blood clots or thrombi. These drugs activate plasminogen, which is present in the blood, to form plasmin. Plasmin is an enzyme that directly breaks down fibrin, the main protein in blood clots, thus dissolving the clot and facilitating the restoration of blood flow in the affected area. This mechanism of action helps in treating conditions such as acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) and ischemic stroke, where rapid clot dissolution is crucial to prevent tissue damage.

Correct Answer: C

Rationale: Lorazepam is a first-line treatment for status epilepticus due to its rapid onset and effectiveness.