Question 1

Serevent Diskus (Salmeterol) is a long-acting beta-2-adrenergic agonist. Which of the following are potential adverse effects of Serevent Diskus usage?
I. Arrhythmias
II. Paradoxical bronchospasms
III. Epileptic-type seizures
IV. Tinnitus

Accepted Answer

Salmeterol is associated with both arrhythmias and paradoxical bronchospasms. Other adverse effects include hypokalemia.

Question 2

Which of the following drugs are metabolized via the CYP34A pathway?
I. Macrolides
II. HIV protease inhibitors
III. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam and triazolam
IV. Fluvastatin

Accepted Answer

Macrolides, HIV protease inhibitors, and some benzodiazepines are metabolized via the CYP34A pathway. Fluvastatin is metabolized by the CYP 2C9 pathway.

Question 3

Drugs can either induce or inhibit various metabolic enzymes and thereby affect dosing and serum concentrations. Which of the following drugs is known to inhibit metabolic enzymes as opposed to inducing activity?

Accepted Answer

Erythromycin inhibits the CYP34A pathway. The other agents listed are inducers of activity. Carbamazepine is an auto-inducer (it stimulates its own metabolism). Rifampin and St Johns wort induce CYP34A activity.

Question 4

An IND (Investigational New Drug) application must contain which of the following information?
I. Pharmacological and toxicological studies in animal models
II. Information concerning the manufacture of a new drug
III. Information concerning proposed drug protocols
IV. Phase II clinical trial data

Accepted Answer

An IND must contain the information listed in statements I, II, and III. IND applications are filed before any clinical trial is possible.

Question 5

For the following chemotherapeutic agents, determine the incorrect combination of agent/pharmacologic class.
I. Tacrine/Acetylcholine agonist
II. Atomoxetine/SSRI
III. Quetiapine/Dibenzothiazepine
IV. Clindamycin/macrolide

Accepted Answer

Tacrine is a cholinesterase inhibitor and Clindamycin is a lincosamide. In choices II and III, the drugs are correctly paired with the pharmacologic class.

Question 6

Clopidogrel is a common prescription drug. Which choice lists correct therapeutic class, mechanism of action, indications, dosage form, and adverse reactions?

Accepted Answer

Clopidogrel is marketed as Plavix and is an antiplatelet agent that inhibits platelet aggregation by blocking the binding of adenosine diphosphate (ADP) to platelets thereby blocking thrombus formation. It is indicated for patients with atherosclerosis and peripheral artery disease (PAD). Plavix comes as a 75mg tablet and a major adverse reaction is uncontrolled bleeding.

Question 7

What is the mechanism of action of loratadine (Alavert/Claritin)?

Accepted Answer

Loratadine is a 2nd generation H-1 antagonist and blocks the peripheral effects of histamine release.

Question 8

Of the following medications, which is the only agent that is a non-selective beta-2-blocker?

Accepted Answer

Carvedilol (Coreg) is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker used as an antihypertensive. Bosentan (Tracleer) is an endothelin-receptor antagonist and acts as a vasodilator. Finasteride (Proscar, Propecia) is an androgen inhibitor used in BPH and male-pattern baldness. Oxcarbazepine (Oxetol) is a mood stabilizer and anticonvulsant and blocks voltage sensitive sodium channels.

Question 9

Which of the following drugs is an ANS agent used to treat muscle spasms?

Accepted Answer

Chlorzoxazone is a skeletal muscle relaxant used to treat muscle spasm. Diclofenac is an NSAID as is celecoxib. While NSAIDs may be useful in the treatment of spasm, they are not ANS agents.

Question 10

Which of the following are appropriate matched drug (poison)/antidotes?
I. Opioids/ naloxone
II. Organophosphates/pralidoxime
III. Warfarin/phytonadione
IV. Unknown agent/activated charcoal

Accepted Answer

All the drugs/poisons are correctly matched with the antidotes.

Question 11

Which of the following drugs is NOT a diuretic medication?

Accepted Answer

Aripiprazole is an antipsychotic. Acetazolamide is a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor. Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic. Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Question 12

Which of the following excipients would be expected to decrease bioavailability?

Accepted Answer

An excipient is an inactive substance used as a carrier for the active ingredients of a medication. Magnesium stearate is a lubricant and would tend to decrease solubility in water and therefore bioavailability. Starch, lactose, and mannitol would not be expected to decrease bioavailability.

Question 13

Metronidazole is known to have a disulfiram-like reaction with alcohol. Which would be the most appropriate form for dosing metronidazole?

Accepted Answer

All the forms listed except a suspension use alcohol as the solvent. Since a disulfiram reaction is likely, only the non-alcohol method of delivery is appropriate.

Question 14

What is the mechanism of action of balsalazide (Colazal)?

Accepted Answer

Balsalazide is metabolized to mesalamine and 5-aminosalicylic acid and inhibits prostaglandin synthesis. It is used to treat ulcerative colitis.

Question 15

Of the following medications, which is the only anticonvulsant?

Accepted Answer

Oxcarbazepine is the only anti-convulsant listed and is used to treat partial seizures. Oxaprozin is an NSAID. Oxandrolone is an anabolic steroid. Oxycodone is an opioid agonist.

Question 16

Which of the following is an anxiolytic?

Accepted Answer

Buspirone is an anxiolytic. Budesonide is a corticosteroid used as an inhalant for asthma therapy. Busulfan is an alkylating agents used in CML. Bumetanide is a loop diuretic used to control edema of heart failure.

Question 17

Mitoxantrone is a(n) ____________ used to treat __________ and which rarely has the adverse effect of inducing ____________.

Accepted Answer

Mitoxantrone is an agent with antibiotic, antineoplastic, and immune modulation effects. It is used to treat acute nonlymphocytic leukemia and can result in cardiovascular and hematologic disorders.

Question 18

Which of the following medications is not a calcium channel blocker?

Accepted Answer

All the drugs listed but stavudine are calcium channel blockers. Stavudine is a nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor.

Question 19

Which of the following is a brand name for ertapenem sodium?

Accepted Answer

Ertapenem is an anti-infective marketed as Invanz. Invirase is saquinavir mesylate, a protease inhibitor. Intropin is the trade name for dopamine HCl. Ertrance is a made up name.

Question 20

Which of the following would be considered a contraindication for the use of methyldopa?
I. Concomitant MAO inhibitor use
II. Pheochromocytoma
III. Pregnancy or lactation
IV. A history of depression

Accepted Answer

Concomitant MAOI use and the presence of a pheochromocytoma are both absolute contraindications for the use of methyldopa. Caution is advised in pregnant or lactating patients. A history of depression would not be a contraindication or a precaution for methyldopa use.

Quiz 3: Pharmaceutical

Serevent Diskus (Salmeterol) is a long-acting beta-2-adrenergic agonist. Which of the following are potential adverse effects of Serevent Diskus usage? I. Arrhythmias II. Paradoxical bronchospasms III. Epileptic-type seizures IV. Tinnitus

Which of the following drugs are metabolized via the CYP34A pathway? I. Macrolides II. HIV protease inhibitors III. Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam and triazolam IV. Fluvastatin

Drugs can either induce or inhibit various metabolic enzymes and thereby affect dosing and serum concentrations. Which of the following drugs is known to inhibit metabolic enzymes as opposed to inducing activity?

An IND (Investigational New Drug) application must contain which of the following information? I. Pharmacological and toxicological studies in animal models II. Information concerning the manufacture of a new drug III. Information concerning proposed drug protocols IV. Phase II clinical trial data

For the following chemotherapeutic agents, determine the incorrect combination of agent/pharmacologic class. I. Tacrine/Acetylcholine agonist II. Atomoxetine/SSRI III. Quetiapine/Dibenzothiazepine IV. Clindamycin/macrolide

Clopidogrel is a common prescription drug. Which choice lists correct therapeutic class, mechanism of action, indications, dosage form, and adverse reactions?

What is the mechanism of action of loratadine (Alavert/Claritin) ?

Of the following medications, which is the only agent that is a non-selective beta-2-blocker?

Which of the following drugs is an ANS agent used to treat muscle spasms?

Which of the following are appropriate matched drug (poison) /antidotes? I. Opioids/ naloxone II. Organophosphates/pralidoxime III. Warfarin/phytonadione IV. Unknown agent/activated charcoal