Polypharmacy & medication safety Practice Test

An 84-year-old woman is brought to the emergency department for an episode of syncope. Her medical history is notable for depression, hypertension, and chronic low back pain. Her medications are citalopram 20 mg daily, hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg daily, and cyclobenzaprine 5 mg as needed. An ECG shows a prolonged QTc interval of 520 ms. Laboratory studies show a potassium of 3.3 mEq/L.

A 78-year-old man with coronary artery disease and benign prostatic hyperplasia is started on a new medication for angina. His regular medications include aspirin, atorvastatin, and tamsulosin. He presents to the emergency department with profound dizziness, lightheadedness, and a blood pressure of 70/40 mmHg. He reports taking his new angina medication one hour after taking a sildenafil tablet for erectile dysfunction.