AMCA AMCA Pharmacology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What term describes a patient's decreased response to a drug after repeated use, requiring higher doses for the same effect?
- Tolerance (Correct answer)
- Dependence
- Addiction
- Sensitization
Correct answer: Tolerance
Drug tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a medication over time, reducing its effectiveness at the original dose.
Question 2: Which class of antibiotics works by inhibiting bacterial cell wall synthesis?
- Penicillins (Correct answer)
- Macrolides
- Fluoroquinolones
- Aminoglycosides
Correct answer: Penicillins
Penicillins inhibit bacterial cell wall synthesis by blocking enzymes needed to cross-link peptidoglycan chains.
Question 3: A patient is prescribed a medication with a narrow therapeutic index. What does this mean?
- The difference between therapeutic and toxic doses is small (Correct answer)
- The drug has many therapeutic uses
- The medication is inexpensive
- The drug requires no monitoring
Correct answer: The difference between therapeutic and toxic doses is small
A narrow therapeutic index means the effective dose is very close to the toxic dose, requiring careful monitoring.
Question 4: Which medication is the antidote for acetaminophen (Tylenol) overdose?
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (Correct answer)
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Activated charcoal
Correct answer: N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores in the liver, preventing hepatotoxicity from acetaminophen overdose.
Question 5: What is the primary action of beta-blocker medications?
- Block beta-adrenergic receptors to reduce heart rate and blood pressure (Correct answer)
- Block histamine receptors to reduce allergic reactions
- Block calcium channels to dilate blood vessels
- Block dopamine receptors to reduce nausea
Correct answer: Block beta-adrenergic receptors to reduce heart rate and blood pressure
Beta-blockers bind to beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing the effects of epinephrine and lowering heart rate and blood pressure.
Question 6: Which drug interaction occurs when one drug reduces or eliminates the effect of another drug?
- Antagonism (Correct answer)
- Synergism
- Potentiation
- Additive effect
Correct answer: Antagonism
Antagonism occurs when one drug opposes or blocks the action of another drug, diminishing its therapeutic effect.
AMCA AMCA Pharmacology 2
What term describes a patient's decreased response to a drug after repeated use, requiring higher doses for the same effect?