Endocrinology: statin adverse effects: practice question

A General Medicine question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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General Medicine · Endocrinology: statin adverse effects

Sample item

A patient on atorvastatin develops muscle pain and creatine kinase of 10 times the upper limit of normal. What is the correct action?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

C. Stop the statin and check renal function for rhabdomyolysis

Statin myopathy can progress to rhabdomyolysis, especially with fibrates (gemfibrozil), macrolides or azole antifungals. CK above 10 times normal with symptoms requires stopping the drug and checking for renal injury. Mild transaminase rise up to three times normal is tolerated.

Option by option

  • A. Double the statin dose

    Dose increase worsens toxicity.

  • B. Add gemfibrozil

    Gemfibrozil raises myopathy risk.

  • C. Stop the statin and check renal function for rhabdomyolysis (correct)

    Correct. Stop the statin and assess for rhabdomyolysis.

  • D. Continue and recheck in 6 months

    Continuing risks renal failure.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

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Questions about this General Medicine question

What is the answer to this General Medicine question?

The best answer is C, Stop the statin and check renal function for rhabdomyolysis. Statin myopathy can progress to rhabdomyolysis, especially with fibrates (gemfibrozil), macrolides or azole antifungals.

Why is "Double the statin dose" not the answer?

Dose increase worsens toxicity.

Why is "Add gemfibrozil" not the answer?

Gemfibrozil raises myopathy risk.

Why is "Continue and recheck in 6 months" not the answer?

Continuing risks renal failure.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Endocrinology: statin adverse effects in General Medicine. CK above 10 times normal with symptoms requires stopping the drug and checking for renal injury. Mild transaminase rise up to three times normal is tolerated.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Endocrinology: statin adverse effects?

For each disease know the classic presentation, the best test, and the first-line treatment. Then use the flashcards and the other General Medicine questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.