1. Which of the following matches of biologic targets that contribute to rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and drugs that affect these targets is INCORRECT:
A. Tumor Necrosis Factor (TNF) Alpha: Etanercept
B. Interleukin (IL)-2: Anakinra
C. Immunologic B Cells: Rituximab
D. IL-6: Tocilizumab
2. The American College of Rheumatology (ACR) and the European League Against Rheumatism (EULAR) both recommend in their practice guidelines for RA that the goal with modern therapy should be which of the following:
A. Avoiding all surgeries related to RA
B. Curing RA
C. Use biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) only as a last resort
D. Complete remission or low disease activity in all patients
3. Which of the following statements concerning methotrexate is correct:
A. Folic acid supplementation reduces the effectiveness of treatment
B. Higher weekly doses may be more effective for the treatment of RA than lower weekly doses
C. Methotrexate should always be used in combination with other DMARDs
D. Methotrexate can only be given intramuscularly or orally weekly
4. Which of the following medications is recommended, in combination with methotrexate, according to the EULAR guidelines, to hasten time to symptom resolution if used for a short period of time:
A. Lefunomide
B. Sulfasalazine
C. Hydroxychloroquine
D. Corticosteroids
5. A patent was diagnosed last week with RA after roughly 1 month of progressive finger joint pain and low fever. Her rheumatoid factor is highly positive and she has a rheumatoid nodule on one finger. According to ACR guidelines, what DMARD regimen should she be started on?
A. Methotrexate
B. Methotrexate, sulfasalazine, corticosteroids, hydroxychoroquine
C. Methotrexate and leflunomide
D. Methotrexate and infliximab
6. What is the major difference between the current ACR and EULAR guidelines as it relates to the initiation of biologic DMARD therapy?
A. ACR suggests that biologic DMARDs should be initiated immediately upon diagnosis of RA; EULAR does not
B. ACR suggests that patients fail 2 synthetic DMARDs before starting biologic DMARDS; EULAR suggests that patients fail 3 synthetic DMARDs before starting biologic therapy
C. ACR suggests that patients with high disease activity after 3 months of treatment with methotrexate, should consider biologic DMARDs; EULAR suggests that an additional 3 to 6 months should elapse in order to discuss and prepare for biologic DMARD therapy
D. ACR suggests that infliximab is the preferred first biologic DMARD to use; EULAR suggests that adalimumab is the preferred first biologic DMARD
7. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding the use of anti-TNF biologic DMARDs for the treatment of RA:
A. One large meta-analysis suggested that etanercept may be better tolerated than other TNF biologics
B. Combination treatment with 2 TNF medications is a reasonable approach for patients who no longer respond to treatment with1 TNF medication
C. There is no benefit to adding methotrexate to a treatment regimen for patients who have lost a response to TNF medications
D. Newer TNF medications, such as golimumab, are much less likely to cause infections compared with traditional formulations, such as infliximab
8. A patient with severe RA has experienced treatment failure with several synthetic and biologic DMARDs, including etanercept, methotrexate, and rituximab. Her medical history is significant for hypertension and hyperlipidemia. Her rheumatologist is discussing tofacitinib therapy with the patient. Which of the following statements is TRUE regarding this case:
A. Tofacitinib must be administered as a 4-hour intravenous infusion every 4 weeks
B. Tofacitinib seems to be more effective than TNF medications for the treatment of RA
C. Her cholesterol levels should be monitored closely while taking tofacitinib because it can raise these levels
D. Serious infections have not been reported with tofacitinib
9. A patient with moderate RA has been well controlled on etanercept for about 5 years, but has recently complained of an increase in her joint swelling, pain, and fatigue. Her rheumatologist would like to switch to another therapy to recapture her remission. According to a recent pharmacoeconomic study, which strategy would likely be the most cost-effective?
A. Infliximab
B. Tofacitinib
C. Tocilizumab
D. Abatacept
10. Which of the following statements concerning medication adherence for patients with RA is correct:
A. A comprehensive medication therapy management (MTM) program has been shown to improve patient reported outcomes for those with RA receiving DMARDs
B. As patients understand the consequences of nonadherence to medication regimens, rates of medication adherence for patients with RA becomes relatively high
C. Studies have found no modifiable risk factors that may improve adherence to medication for those with RA
D. MTM programs for patients with RA would only be cost-effective if delivered by a nonpharmacist health care provider
Evaluation Questions
11. To what extent did the program meet objective #1?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
12. To what extent did the program meet objective #2?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
13. To what extent did the program meet objective #3?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
14. To what extent did the program meet objective #4?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
15. To what extent did the program meet objective #5?
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
16. Rate the effectiveness of how well the program related to your educational needs:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
17. Rate how well the active learning strategies (questions, cases, discussions) were appropriate and effective learning tools:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
18. Rate the quality of the faculty:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
19. Rate the effectiveness and the overall usefulness of the material presented:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
20. Rate the appropriateness of the examination for this activity:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
21. Rate the effectiveness of how well the activity related to your practice needs:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
22. Rate the effectiveness of how well the activity will help you improve patient care:
A. Excellent
B. Very Good
C. Good
D. Fair
E. Poor
23. Will the information presented cause you to change your practice?
A. Yes
B. No
24. Are you committed to making these changes?
A. Yes
B. No
25. As a result of this activity, did you learn something new?
A. Yes
B. No
26. What is your practice setting or area of practice?
A. Community Pharmacy/Independent
B. Community Pharmacy/Chain
C. Hospital/Health Systems
D. Administrative/Pharmacy Director
E. Critical Care Pharmacy
F. Long-term Care
G. Managed Care/PBM
H. Oncology/Specialty Pharmacy
I. Industry/Manufacturing
27. How many years have you been in practice?
A. <5
B. 5 – 10
C. 11 – 20
D. >20