NAPLEX (North American Pharmacist Licensure Examination) Practice Exam

What should be monitored if propofol is administered for longer than 2 days?

1. Blood glucose levels

2. Triglycerides

3. Hemoglobin levels

4. Sodium levels

The correct answer is: Triglycerides

When propofol is administered for an extended period, monitoring triglyceride levels is crucial. Prolonged propofol use can lead to propofol infusion syndrome (PRIS), a rare but potentially fatal complication characterized by metabolic acidosis, rhabdomyolysis, hepatomegaly, cardiac failure, and hyperlipidemia. Monitoring triglyceride levels is essential to detect early signs of hypertriglyceridemia, which is a hallmark of PRIS. Therefore, keeping a close eye on triglyceride levels can aid in preventing and managing this serious adverse effect of propofol therapy. The other options are not directly associated with propofol administration or PRIS. Monitoring blood glucose levels may be relevant in diabetic patients or those at risk of developing hyperglycemia due to propofol, but it is not specific to monitoring propofol use longer than 2 days. Hemoglobin levels and sodium levels are not typically affected by propofol administration for an extended duration. Therefore, the most appropriate monitoring parameter in this case is triglycerides.