American Board of Internal Medicine (ABIM) Certification Practice Exam

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Which of the following is NOT a reason to regularly conduct laboratory monitoring for patients on AEDs?

Potential liver abnormalities
Association with blood dyscrasias
Risk of respiratory infections
Risk of electrolyte imbalances

The correct answer is: Risk of respiratory infections

Regular laboratory monitoring for patients on antiepileptic drugs (AEDs) is crucial due to several reasons linked to the medications' side effects and potential complications. Monitoring liver function is important as many AEDs can cause hepatotoxicity, making it necessary to assess for potential liver abnormalities. Additionally, certain AEDs are associated with blood dyscrasias, including issues like leukopenia or thrombocytopenia, warranting monitoring to detect any harmful changes in blood cell counts that can lead to serious complications. Furthermore, some AEDs can impact electrolyte balance, leading to conditions such as hyponatremia, so monitoring is essential to prevent or identify imbalances that could affect patient health. In contrast, while patients on AEDs can suffer from various health issues, the risk of respiratory infections is not specifically tied to AED therapy or necessitates regular lab monitoring. This potential complication is more related to other factors such as underlying health conditions, rather than the direct effects of the medications themselves. Thus, effective monitoring focuses on issues directly linked to the pharmacologic actions and adverse effects of AEDs.