Qualified Medication Aides (QMA) Practice Exam

What is the purpose of anti-gout medications?

1. Increase uric acid levels

2. Reduce uric acid synthesis

3. Stimulate inflammation

4. Promote digestion

The correct answer is: Reduce uric acid synthesis

The purpose of anti-gout medications is primarily to reduce uric acid synthesis, which helps to manage and prevent gout attacks. Gout is a type of inflammatory arthritis characterized by high levels of uric acid in the blood, leading to the formation of crystals that can cause painful inflammation in the joints. By reducing the production of uric acid, these medications help to decrease its levels in the bloodstream, thereby preventing the painful episodes associated with gout. In addition to decreasing uric acid levels, these medications may also assist in promoting uric acid excretion from the body, depending on the specific type of anti-gout medication used. This dual action helps to maintain uric acid levels within a normal range, preventing the crystallization and subsequent inflammation that leads to the characteristic pain and swelling of a gout attack. The other options do not align with the pharmacological action of anti-gout medications. Increasing uric acid levels or stimulating inflammation would worsen the condition, while promoting digestion does not relate to the treatment of gout at all.