Pharmacy PEBC Practice Exam

WW is a 55 year old, obese male (BMI 35) with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes. His most recent fasting blood glucose is 9.6 mmol/L and A1C is 8%. He also suffers from hypertension and osteoarthritis in his knees. His current medications are: ramipril 20 mg po daily and acetaminophen 500 mg po qid. If the anti-hyperglycemic agent chosen for WW is having its intended benefit, the most appropriate therapeutic outcome would be:

1. Achieving target A1C at 3 months.

2. Fasting blood glucose < 6.1 mmol/L within 2 weeks.

3. Decreased BMI within 3 months.

4. No episodes of hyperglycemia.

The correct answer is: Achieving target A1C at 3 months.

The most appropriate therapeutic outcome for WW if the anti-hyperglycemic agent is having its intended benefit would be achieving target A1C at 3 months. This is because the A1C level is a better indicator of long-term blood glucose control, and achieving target A1C (likely around 7%) would show that the medication is successfully managing his diabetes. Option B, fasting blood glucose <6.1mmol/L within 2 weeks, is too short of a time frame to assess the medication's effectiveness and may fluctuate. Decreasing BMI within 3 months (option C) is a secondary goal and may be difficult to achieve in the short term, especially considering WW's obesity and osteoarthritis. Lastly, option D, no episodes of hyperglycemia, is not a measurable or specific therapeutic outcome.