Question 1

Medications to treat extrapyramidal side effects from antipsychotic medications, as well as drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, achieve their therapeutic effects by:

Accepted Answer

Medications used to treat extrapyramidal side effects from antipsychotic medications and drugs for Parkinson's disease work by increasing the amount of dopamine at the receptor sites in the basal ganglia. This compensates for the dopamine deficiency seen in Parkinson's disease and counteracts the dopamine blockade caused by antipsychotic medications, which can lead to extrapyramidal symptoms.

Question 2

Which of the following statements about nitroglycerin is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

Nitroglycerin is highly lipid soluble, allowing it to rapidly pass through cell membranes and exert its effects. This property also contributes to its short duration of action.

Question 3

Which of the following is an acceptable antidote for a specific poisoning?

Accepted Answer

Acetylcysteine is the specific antidote for acetaminophen overdose. It works by replenishing glutathione in the liver, which is depleted by the toxic metabolite of acetaminophen.

Question 4

You are caring for a young mother who just gave birth to her first child. Despite taking all the appropriate measures, she continues to exhibit postpartum hemorrhage. In addition to crystalloid intravenous infusions, what medication might you consider to manage this patient?

Accepted Answer

Oxytocin (Pitocin) is the medication of choice for postpartum hemorrhage as it stimulates uterine contractions and helps to control bleeding. Terbutaline is a bronchodilator and not appropriate in this scenario. Epinephrine and dopamine are vasoconstrictors and may be considered in cases of refractory hypotension, but are not the first line treatment for postpartum hemorrhage.

Question 5

Which of the following medications is a proton-pump inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Omeprazole is a proton-pump inhibitor, whereas the other options (cimetidine, pirenzepine, and ranitidine) are H2 receptor antagonists.

Question 6

In the treatment of acute glaucoma, which classifications of drugs are most useful?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blockers and cholinergics are most useful in the treatment of acute glaucoma. Beta-blockers decrease aqueous humor production, and cholinergics increase the outflow of aqueous humor, both lowering intraocular pressure.

Question 7

Dopamine is not administered directly to the patient during the treatment of Parkinson's disease because:

Accepted Answer

Dopamine cannot cross the blood-brain barrier, so it cannot reach the brain if administered directly to the patient. Instead, medications that can be converted into dopamine in the brain or that mimic the effects of dopamine are used to treat Parkinson's disease.

Question 8

If a newly developed drug is undergoing a double-blind study in a large patient population, it is most likely undergoing what phase of human studies?

Accepted Answer

A double-blind study is a randomized controlled study where neither the researchers nor the patients are aware of who is receiving the drug or a placebo. This method is used in Phase 3 studies to test the safety and effectiveness of the drug in a large patient population.

Question 9

A beta₂ specific agonist causes which of the following physiologic responses?

Accepted Answer

Beta₂ specific agonists primarily cause bronchodilation by relaxing the smooth muscles in the airways, making them effective in treating conditions like asthma.

Question 10

Which of the following medications promotes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin?

Accepted Answer

rtPA (recombinant tissue plasminogen activator) is a medication that promotes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin, which helps to dissolve blood clots. Heparin and Coumadin both work to prevent blood clots from forming but do not directly promote the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. Vitamin K is important for the production of clotting factors, but it does not promote the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin.

Question 11

Stimulation of the histamine (H₁) receptors often results in:

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of histamine receptors, particularly H1 receptors, leads to vasodilation and increased vascular permeability, which causes local tissue swelling, redness, and warmth. It also plays a role in immune response and contributes to allergy symptoms such as itching, flushing, and hives. However, stimulation of H2 receptors can cause increased gastric acid release, while H3 receptors play a role in regulating neurotransmitter release, and H4 receptors are involved in immune system regulation. Stimulation of histamine receptors does not inhibit antibody production but can activate and recruit immune cells to the site of inflammation. While histamine can cause bronchoconstriction, this effect is primarily mediated through H2 receptors and is less important than the bronchodilatory effect of beta2-adrenergic agonists in treating respiratory conditions such as asthma.

Question 12

You are caring for a middle-aged male patient who has a long history of psychiatric disorders. During your assessment, you note excessive tremors and uncontrollable spasms in his head, neck, and arms. These are most likely:

Accepted Answer

The excessive tremors and uncontrollable spasms in the patient's head, neck, and arms are most likely extrapyramidal side effects of his antipsychotic medication. These side effects are common with typical antipsychotic medications and can be managed with dose reductions or switching to atypical antipsychotic medications that have less risk of extrapyramidal side effects.

Question 13

Fibrinolytics achieve their therapeutic action by:

Accepted Answer

Fibrinolytics break up a thrombus that has formed by activating plasminogen to plasmin, which then degrades fibrin and breaks up the clot. A is incorrect as fibrinolytics do not interfere with the clotting cascade, but instead activate it to break up clots. C is incorrect as fibrinolytics are used specifically to promote the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin. D is incorrect as fibrinolytics do not decrease platelet aggregation, but instead promote the breakdown of already formed clots.

Question 14

What distinguishes verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) and diltiazem (Cardizem) from nifedipine (Procardia)?

Accepted Answer

Verapamil and diltiazem can reduce SA and AV node conductivity, while nifedipine does not have this effect. Other calcium channel blockers, such as verapamil and diltiazem, may have different effects on the heart and are used for different indications.

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of nifedipine (Procardia)?

Accepted Answer

Nifedipine (Procardia) does not produce a positive inotropic effect on the heart. It only acts as a vasodilator and reduces blood pressure by reducing peripheral vascular resistance. A positive inotropic effect would increase the force of contraction of the heart, which is not a characteristic of this medication.

Question 16

When a drug causes a change in the cell membrane, preventing additional stimulation of the cell no matter how much stimulation is offered, that drug is called a:

Accepted Answer

A noncompetitive antagonist causes a change in the cell membrane that prevents any further stimulation of the cell, regardless of how much stimulation is offered. This is different from a competitive antagonist, which competes with the natural ligand for binding to the receptor but can still be overcome by increasing the concentration of the natural ligand. Noncompetitive agonists also cause changes in the cell membrane but result in increased stimulation rather than decreased stimulation. Competitive agonists compete with the natural ligand for binding to the receptor and can produce the same effects as the natural ligand when bound.

Question 17

Which of the following statements about histamines and antihistamines is NOT true?

Accepted Answer

The incorrect statement is related to the designation of histamine receptors. The correct nomenclature for histamine receptors includes H1, H2, H3, and H4, not "H₁" or similar. H1 receptors are indeed involved in allergic reactions, including anaphylaxis, but the provided receptor designation is incorrect.

Question 18

Which of the following is a property of a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Reversible cholinesterase inhibitors block the action of acetylcholinesterase, which breaks down the neurotransmitter acetylcholine. By preventing the breakdown of acetylcholine, these inhibitors enable parasympathetic stimulation for a finite period. This can lead to increased activation of the rest-and-digest response, leading to effects such as increased gastrointestinal motility and decreased heart rate.

Question 19

You are caring for a 45-year-old male patient who was tending to his fruit orchard when he suddenly developed headache, dizziness, blurred vision, and tremors. You note that he was incontinent of urine, has pupillary constriction, and is salivating excessively. Which of the following medications would be most appropriate to manage this patient?

Accepted Answer

The patient's symptoms suggest organophosphate poisoning, which occurs from exposure to certain pesticides and leads to excessive acetylcholine accumulation due to acetylcholinesterase inhibition. Atropine, an anticholinergic agent, is used to counteract the muscarinic effects of organophosphate poisoning, such as excessive salivation, pupillary constriction, and bronchial secretions.

Question 20

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

Bradycardia is not a symptom of hyperthyroidism, but rather is a symptom of hypothyroidism. The other options (nervousness, insomnia, and hypertension) are all common symptoms of hyperthyroidism.

Quiz 13: Emergency Pharmacology

Medications to treat extrapyramidal side effects from antipsychotic medications, as well as drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, achieve their therapeutic effects by:

Which of the following statements about nitroglycerin is NOT true?

Which of the following is an acceptable antidote for a specific poisoning?

You are caring for a young mother who just gave birth to her first child. Despite taking all the appropriate measures, she continues to exhibit postpartum hemorrhage. In addition to crystalloid intravenous infusions, what medication might you consider to manage this patient?

Which of the following medications is a proton-pump inhibitor?

In the treatment of acute glaucoma, which classifications of drugs are most useful?

Dopamine is not administered directly to the patient during the treatment of Parkinson's disease because:

If a newly developed drug is undergoing a double-blind study in a large patient population, it is most likely undergoing what phase of human studies?

A beta₂ specific agonist causes which of the following physiologic responses?

Which of the following medications promotes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin?

Stimulation of the histamine (H₁) receptors often results in:

You are caring for a middle-aged male patient who has a long history of psychiatric disorders. During your assessment, you note excessive tremors and uncontrollable spasms in his head, neck, and arms. These are most likely:

Fibrinolytics achieve their therapeutic action by:

What distinguishes verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) and diltiazem (Cardizem) from nifedipine (Procardia) ?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of nifedipine (Procardia) ?

When a drug causes a change in the cell membrane, preventing additional stimulation of the cell no matter how much stimulation is offered, that drug is called a:

Which of the following statements about histamines and antihistamines is NOT true?

Which of the following is a property of a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor?

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include all of the following, EXCEPT:

Quiz 13: Emergency Pharmacology

Medications to treat extrapyramidal side effects from antipsychotic medications, as well as drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, achieve their therapeutic effects by:

Which of the following statements about nitroglycerin is NOT true?

Which of the following is an acceptable antidote for a specific poisoning?

You are caring for a young mother who just gave birth to her first child. Despite taking all the appropriate measures, she continues to exhibit postpartum hemorrhage. In addition to crystalloid intravenous infusions, what medication might you consider to manage this patient?

Which of the following medications is a proton-pump inhibitor?

In the treatment of acute glaucoma, which classifications of drugs are most useful?

Dopamine is not administered directly to the patient during the treatment of Parkinson's disease because:

If a newly developed drug is undergoing a double-blind study in a large patient population, it is most likely undergoing what phase of human studies?

A beta2 specific agonist causes which of the following physiologic responses?

Which of the following medications promotes the conversion of plasminogen to plasmin?

Stimulation of the histamine (H1) receptors often results in:

You are caring for a middle-aged male patient who has a long history of psychiatric disorders. During your assessment, you note excessive tremors and uncontrollable spasms in his head, neck, and arms. These are most likely:

Fibrinolytics achieve their therapeutic action by:

What distinguishes verapamil (Calan, Isoptin) and diltiazem (Cardizem) from nifedipine (Procardia) ?

Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of nifedipine (Procardia) ?

When a drug causes a change in the cell membrane, preventing additional stimulation of the cell no matter how much stimulation is offered, that drug is called a:

Which of the following statements about histamines and antihistamines is NOT true?

Which of the following is a property of a reversible cholinesterase inhibitor?

Symptoms of hyperthyroidism include all of the following, EXCEPT:

A beta₂ specific agonist causes which of the following physiologic responses?

Stimulation of the histamine (H₁) receptors often results in: