Cuestionario: Pharmacology Essentials for Healthcare — 20 preguntas

1. Which drug is a centrally acting alpha2-adrenergic agonist used for hypertension and opioid withdrawal treatment?

A. Clonidine

B. Pilocarpine

C. Propranolol

D. Atropine

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Clonidine is identified as a centrally acting alpha2-agonist that reduces sympathetic outflow and can be used in hypertension and opioid withdrawal. The other options act through different receptor systems.

2. What is the expected effect of beta-adrenergic receptor stimulation on the uterus?

A. It relaxes the uterus

B. It increases uterine secretions

C. It contracts the uterus

D. It blocks uterine smooth muscle entirely

Answer: (A)

Explicación

The source states that stimulation of beta-adrenergic receptors relaxes the uterus. The other choices describe effects not supported by the material.

3. Which antipsychotic is least likely among the listed atypical agents to cause extrapyramidal symptoms?

A. Chlorpromazine

B. Haloperidol

C. Fluphenazine

D. Aripiprazole

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Aripiprazole is specifically noted as the least likely among the listed atypical antipsychotics to cause extrapyramidal symptoms. Haloperidol and chlorpromazine are associated with EPS in the source material.

4. Which adverse effect can appear after treatment with haloperidol?

A. Tardive deafness

B. Pseudo-parkinsonian syndrome

C. Malignant hyperthermia

D. Serotonin syndrome

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Haloperidol is described as causing pseudo-parkinsonian syndrome, an extrapyramidal reaction. The other options are not the adverse effect highlighted in the source.

5. What important reaction can occur if metronidazole is taken with alcohol?

A. A disulfiram-like reaction

B. A severe nephrotoxic crisis

C. A serotonin blockade syndrome

D. A photosensitivity collapse

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Metronidazole should not be combined with alcohol because it can cause a disulfiram-like reaction. This is the classic interaction emphasized in the source.

6. Which antimicrobial lacks coverage against Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

A. Ceftazidime

B. Ertapenem

C. Meropenem

D. Piperacillin-tazobactam

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Ertapenem is specifically noted as not covering Pseudomonas aeruginosa. The other agents are commonly used when Pseudomonas coverage is needed.

7. Which diuretic is used to reduce cerebral edema in acute brain injury?

A. Hydrochlorothiazide

B. Acetazolamide

C. Furosemide

D. Mannitol

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Mannitol is the osmotic diuretic used for acute cerebral edema in brain injury settings. The other drugs are diuretics with different main uses and mechanisms.

8. Which transporter is inhibited by furosemide?

A. Aquaporin-2 channel

B. NaCl cotransporter

C. Sodium-glucose cotransporter 2

D. NaK2Cl transporter

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Furosemide acts in the loop of Henle by inhibiting the NaK2Cl transporter. The NaCl cotransporter is the target of thiazides, not loop diuretics.

9. Which factor is used to describe how a drug distributes between lipid and water phases?

A. Clearance coefficient

B. Therapeutic range

C. Bioequivalence ratio

D. Partition constant

Answer: (D)

Explicación

The partition constant is the physical property describing distribution between lipid and water phases. It helps explain how readily a drug moves between body compartments.

10. How does sodium bicarbonate increase salicylate elimination in poisoning?

A. By urinary ion trapping

B. By inhibiting hepatic metabolism

C. By enhancing protein binding

D. By increasing gastric absorption

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Sodium bicarbonate raises urine pH, promoting urinary ion trapping of salicylate and increasing renal elimination. It does not work by increasing absorption or protein binding.

11. What is the main reason sodium bicarbonate is used in salicylate poisoning?

A. It blocks salicylate absorption in the stomach

B. It directly neutralizes salicylate in the bloodstream

C. It accelerates hepatic metabolism of salicylate

D. It increases renal elimination by urinary ion trapping

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Sodium bicarbonate raises urine pH, which traps ionized salicylate in the urine and increases its excretion. It does not primarily work by blocking absorption or hepatic metabolism.

12. Which factor best determines how a drug moves between body compartments?

A. Its protein content and shelf life

B. Its partition constant, ionization, and molecular size

C. Its color, formulation, and dosing schedule

D. Its brand name and route of purchase

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Drug distribution depends on physicochemical properties such as partition constant, degree of ionization, and size. These factors influence how easily the drug crosses membranes and partitions into tissues.

13. Which antidote is used to reverse opioid overdose with respiratory depression and bilateral miosis?

A. Atropine

B. Naloxone

C. N-acetylcysteine

D. Flumazenil

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Naloxone is the opioid antidote and is used when opioid toxicity causes respiratory depression and pinpoint pupils. N-acetylcysteine is for toxic analgesic metabolite poisoning, not opioid overdose.

14. Which treatment is used to prevent liver failure after an overdose that produces a toxic quinone imine metabolite?

A. Naloxone

B. N-acetylcysteine

C. Activated charcoal hemoperfusion

D. Atropine

Answer: (B)

Explicación

N-acetylcysteine is the antidote used to prevent liver failure in this type of analgesic overdose. Naloxone treats opioid toxicity, while hemoperfusion is a blood-cleansing technique rather than a specific antidote.

15. Which drug is the best initial add-on therapy for a newly diagnosed overweight patient with type 2 diabetes and HbA1c of 7.5%?

A. Insulin degludec

B. Canagliflozin

C. Digoxin

D. Metformin

Answer: (D)

Explicación

Metformin is the preferred early treatment for many patients with type 2 diabetes, including newly diagnosed overweight patients. Insulin degludec is an insulin analog, and digoxin has no role in diabetes treatment.

16. Which adverse effect is associated with canagliflozin in clinical use?

A. Genital infections

B. Ototoxicity

C. Thrombocytopenia

D. Hypothyroidism

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Canagliflozin can cause genital infections. The other options are linked to different drug classes or conditions and are not the characteristic adverse effect highlighted here.

17. Which oral anticoagulant directly inhibits factor Xa?

A. Digoxin

B. Apixaban

C. Evolocumab

D. Enoxaparin

Answer: (B)

Explicación

Apixaban is a direct factor Xa inhibitor used to reduce clot formation. Digoxin is a cardiac glycoside, evolocumab is a PCSK9 blocker, and enoxaparin is a low-molecular-weight heparin.

18. Which drug lowers LDL cholesterol by blocking PCSK9?

A. Evolocumab

B. Apixaban

C. Diltiazem

D. Carvedilol

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Evolocumab is a monoclonal antibody that reduces LDL cholesterol by blocking PCSK9. The other drugs act on coagulation, calcium channels, or beta receptors instead.

19. Which drug is used to treat bleeding esophageal varices by causing vasoconstriction?

A. Octreotide

B. Amiodarone

C. Lisinopril

D. Furosemide

Answer: (A)

Explicación

Octreotide, a somatostatin analog, is used for variceal bleeding because it causes vasoconstriction. The other drugs are used for arrhythmia, diuresis, or hypertension.

20. Amiodarone therapy is associated with which thyroid effect within months of treatment?

A. A guaranteed cure of hyperthyroidism

B. Immediate adrenal insufficiency

C. An increased risk of hypothyroidism

D. Permanent suppression of all thyroid hormones in every patient

Answer: (C)

Explicación

Amiodarone can alter thyroid function and increases the risk of hypothyroidism within months of therapy. The other choices are not the described clinical effect.