Alpha-Glucosidase Inhibitors (Acarbose)

1. What is the mechanism of action of acarbose?

B) Delays digestion of carbohydrates

2. Acarbose is most effective at lowering which blood glucose level?

B) Postprandial glucose

3. Acarbose is most commonly combined with which drug class?

B) Sulfonylureas

4. When should acarbose be administered?

D) With the first bite of a meal

5. What is the primary adverse effect of acarbose?

B) GI upset

6. Acarbose is contraindicated in which liver condition?

B) Cirrhosis

7. Does acarbose cause hypoglycemia when used alone?

C) No

8. What must be monitored if acarbose is combined with digoxin?

B) Digoxin levels

9. Which test helps evaluate acarbose effectiveness?

B) Hemoglobin A1C

10. Which of the following drugs can decrease the effects of acarbose?

C) Thiazide diuretics

11. The nurse should monitor which lab test for blood disorders while a patient is on acarbose?

D) All of the above

12. What symptom should patients report when taking acarbose?

C) Severe abdominal pain

13. Which drug increases the risk of hypoglycemia when combined with acarbose?

B) Insulin

14. In which GI condition is acarbose contraindicated?

C) Malabsorptive disorders

15. What food or drink should patients avoid when taking acarbose?

C) Cola

16. What effect does acarbose have on digestion?

C) Delays carbohydrate digestion

17. What is the onset of acarbose?

B) 1 hour

18. Which age group should use caution with acarbose due to dumping syndrome?

A) Infants > 4 months post Nissen fundoplication

19. Acarbose is metabolized by:

C) Intestinal enzymes and bacteria

20. What is a serious lab finding requiring discontinuation of acarbose?

B) Elevated AST/ALT

21. Acarbose may accumulate in which condition?

C) Kidney impairment

22. The max recommended dose of acarbose depends on:

C) Weight

23. What is the therapeutic goal of acarbose?

C) Blunt post-meal glucose spikes

24. What is a rare hematologic side effect of acarbose?

B) Leukopenia

25. What drug interaction requires monitoring with acarbose?

B) Digoxin

26. When using acarbose after gastric bypass, dosing is:

C) With first bite of each meal

27. Acarbose should be avoided during:

C) Pregnancy

28. Which statement is true about hypoglycemia and acarbose?

C) Occurs if used with insulin or sulfonylurea

29. Which symptom would suggest anemia while on acarbose?

B) Fatigue

30. Which drug works similarly to acarbose?

B) Miglitol

31. Acarbose should not be taken with which beverage?

C) Cola

32. Which is NOT a contraindication for acarbose?

D) GERD

33. Acarbose is used to improve:

B) Glycosylated hemoglobin (A1C)

34. What should be done if a patient on acarbose develops elevated liver enzymes?

B) Stop drug

35. What is the key nursing teaching point for taking acarbose?

B) Take with first bite of meal

36. The metabolism of acarbose occurs:

C) In GI tract by bacteria

37. How does acarbose affect insulin?

C) Has no effect

38. Which adverse effect is NOT associated with acarbose?

D) Lactic acidosis

39. Acarbose is classified as:

C) Alpha-glucosidase inhibitor

40. The nurse should instruct the patient to report:

C) Fatigue and pallor

41. If patient skips a meal, they should:

B) Skip the dose

42. Hypoglycemia treatment while on acarbose requires:

B) Glucose or glucagon

43. For dumping syndrome, infants >4 months can receive:

B) Acarbose 12.5-25 mg before bolus feed

44. Which organ function must be monitored with acarbose?

C) Liver

45. The nurse should caution about possible:

B) Anemia

46. Acarbose is excreted via:

B) Urine and feces

47. If the patient is NPO, acarbose should be:

B) Held

48. Post gastric bypass patients take acarbose for:

B) Postprandial hyperinsulinemic hypoglycemia

If a patient has cirrhosis:

acarbose may not be recommended due to potential liver function impairment, which can affect drug metabolism.

Acarbose is best suited for controlling

B) postprandial blood sugar