Question 1

A type I allergic drug reaction __________.&#10;A)starts after about 10-20 hrs after drug ingestion&#10;B)involves the action of serotonin&#10;C)can be life-threatening&#10;D)is quite resistant to treatment

Accepted Answer

A normal allergic reaction involves redness,swelling,itching and hives,as well as runny nose and watery eyes.If the reaction becomes excessive it develops into an anaphylactic reaction with severe breathing difficulties and severe hypotension and,if not treated with epinephrine,can result in death.It starts usually minutes after drug exposure.It involves histamine being released from mast cells; histamines dilate blood vessels (redness,swelling),stimulate sensory nerves (itching)and cause bronchoconstriction.Allergic reactions type I can be readily prevented and treated with steroids or antihistamines.

Question 2

An adverse drug event or ADE refers to __________.&#10;A)toxic reactions of a drug&#10;B)prescription errors&#10;C)administration errors&#10;D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

Toxic reactions or adverse drug reaction (ADR)are a part of ADE; however,both terms are often used interchangeably.

Question 3

A drug should only be prescribed if the __________.&#10;A)benefit outweighs the risk&#10;B)drug has no serious adverse reactions&#10;C)drug is affordable by the patient&#10;D)patient is not pregnant

Accepted Answer

Serious diseases often require drugs with major adverse reactions (see cancer drugs).Cost might be a consideration during chronic dosing and drugs should be avoided during pregnancy unless the life of the mother is at risk.In all cases,however,benefit versus risk decision is always the most decisive one.

Question 4

Which of the following groups are least likely to experience the adverse effects of drugs?&#10;A)Persons with renal disease&#10;B)Elderly people&#10;C)Persons with liver disease&#10;D)Persons

Accepted Answer

Every drug has a risk/benefit ratio and this ratio increases with age or disease.

Question 5

A type IV allergic drug reaction __________.&#10;A)responds well to antihistamines and steroids&#10;B)shows drug specific toxic reactions&#10;C)is more severe as the dose of the drug is increased&#10;D)involves T-lymphocytes

Accepted Answer

This reaction occurs 1-2 days after drug exposure and responds only to steroids (often called delayed allergy).Allergic reactions regardless of the drug show a similar clinical picture (this is in contrast to ordinary side reaction of a drug which will be drug specific and vary from drug to drug).Allergic reactions are dose independent in that already minuscule amounts can already cause this reaction (in both types).

Question 6

A patient takes a drug and experiences nausea and vomiting.This could be due to __________.&#10;A)the drug&#10;B)spoiled food which was consumed simultaneously&#10;C)a stomach virus picked up just before consuming the drug&#10;D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

It is sometimes difficult to assign an ADR to a particular drug.

Question 7

Adverse drug reactions (ADRs)__________.&#10;A)are caused solely by the drug&#10;B)can be predicted if a drug has been used for a long period of time&#10;C)occur less in the elderly&#10;D)none of the above

Accepted Answer

They are caused by a combination of a particular drug and those patients who are particularly sensitive to the drug; not all individuals will show ADRs to a drug,only some will.While some types of ADRs can be predicted (sometimes referred to as side effects)others cannot (sometimes referred to as idiosyncratic reactions).ADRs occur mostly in the elderly who suffer usually from more serious diseases,take multiple drugs and have bodies that are less resistant.

Question 8

A food-drug interaction can be caused by __________.&#10;A)acidic foods and weak basic drugs&#10;B)milk&#10;C)grapefruit juice&#10;D)All of the above

Accepted Answer

Drugs must be taken exactly as prescribed.Acidic foods charge weak bases (base-H⁺)which are hydrophilic and are slower absorbed (while weak acids would be absorbed faster).Calcium in milk can bind to some drugs like tetracyclines and the combination will not be absorbed.Grapefruit juice in large quantities can inhibit P450 enzymes,slow the metabolism of some drugs and increase their tissue levels causing increased toxicity.

Deck 4: Adverse Drug Reactions