ADAP Pharmacology 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patient reports an allergy to penicillin. Which antibiotic is typically prescribed as an alternative for dental infections?
- Amoxicillin
- Clindamycin (Correct answer)
- Ampicillin
- Nafcillin
Correct answer: Clindamycin
Clindamycin is a common alternative for patients allergic to penicillin when treating or preventing dental infections.
Question 2: Which term describes an unexpected, severe drug reaction that is not dose-dependent and is often immune-mediated?
- Tolerance
- Idiosyncratic reaction (Correct answer)
- Synergism
- Cumulative effect
Correct answer: Idiosyncratic reaction
An idiosyncratic reaction is an unusual, unpredictable drug response that is not related to the dose and often has an immunological or genetic basis.
Question 3: Which drug interaction occurs when two drugs combined produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects?
- Antagonism
- Tolerance
- Synergism (potentiation) (Correct answer)
- Additive effect
Correct answer: Synergism (potentiation)
Synergism or potentiation occurs when combining two drugs produces an effect greater than expected by simply adding their individual effects together.
Question 4: What is the route of administration when a drug is placed under the tongue to allow rapid absorption?
- Sublingual (Correct answer)
- Buccal
- Intravenous
- Topical
Correct answer: Sublingual
Sublingual administration involves placing the drug under the tongue where it is rapidly absorbed through the mucous membranes into the bloodstream.
Question 5: Metronidazole (Flagyl) used in periodontal therapy is effective against which type of microorganisms?
- Gram-positive aerobic bacteria only
- Fungi
- Anaerobic bacteria (Correct answer)
- Viruses
Correct answer: Anaerobic bacteria
Metronidazole is particularly effective against anaerobic bacteria and is commonly used in treating periodontal infections.
Question 6: Which of the following is a potential drug interaction between NSAIDs and antihypertensive medications?
- NSAIDs enhance the antihypertensive effect
- NSAIDs may reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensives (Correct answer)
- NSAIDs cause excessive hypotension
- No interaction exists between these drug classes
Correct answer: NSAIDs may reduce the effectiveness of antihypertensives
NSAIDs can cause sodium and water retention and interfere with prostaglandin-mediated vasodilation, reducing the effectiveness of antihypertensive drugs.
Question 7: Benzodiazepines used for dental anxiety management work by enhancing the effect of which neurotransmitter?
- Dopamine
- Serotonin
- GABA (Correct answer)
- Acetylcholine
Correct answer: GABA
Benzodiazepines enhance the inhibitory effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), producing sedation and anxiolysis.
ADAP Pharmacology 3
A patient reports an allergy to penicillin.
Which antibiotic is typically prescribed as an alternative for dental infections?