A 21-year-old college student comes to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of vomiting and epigastric pain that radiates to the back. He drinks 1-2 beers on the weekends and occasionally smokes marijuana. The patient appears distressed and is diaphoretic. Physical examination shows abdominal distention with tenderness to palpation in the epigastrium. There is no guarding or rebound tenderness. Skin examination shows several clusters of yellow plaques over the trunk and extensor surfaces of the extremities. Laboratory studies show normal hepatic and pancreatic enzyme levels, but the patient again has a severely elevated triglyceride level. The physician prescribes the appropriate medications and explains that the patient is likely to experience skin flushing and warmth after taking the pills. Which of the following is the primary agent mediating these side effects?

Question

A 21-year-old college student comes to the emergency department because of a 2-day history of vomiting and epigastric pain that radiates to the back. He drinks 1-2 beers on the weekends and occasionally smokes marijuana. The patient appears distressed and is diaphoretic. Physical examination shows abdominal distention with tenderness to palpation in the epigastrium. There is no guarding or rebound tenderness. Skin examination shows several clusters of yellow plaques over the trunk and extensor surfaces of the extremities. Laboratory studies show normal hepatic and pancreatic enzyme levels, but the patient again has a severely elevated triglyceride level.  The physician prescribes the appropriate medications and explains that the patient is likely to experience skin flushing and warmth after taking the pills.  Which of the following is the primary agent mediating these side effects?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Niacin is used in the treatment of hyperlipidemia.  It increases HDL levels and decreases LDL levels and triglycerides.  Niacin causes cutaneous flushing, which is mediated by prostaglandins and can be diminished by pretreatment with aspirin

A 21-Year-Old College Student Comes to the Emergency Department Because