AMCA Pharmacology Flashcards
6 cards from real AMCA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 AMCA Pharmacology flashcards as text
What does the abbreviation 'PRN' mean on a medication order?
Answer: As needed
PRN is from the Latin 'pro re nata,' meaning 'as needed,' indicating medication should be given only when necessary.
Which type of drug interaction occurs when one medication increases the breakdown of another drug, reducing its effectiveness?
Answer: Enzyme induction
Enzyme induction occurs when one drug stimulates liver enzymes (like CYP450) to metabolize another drug faster, reducing its blood levels.
A medication label reads '250 mg/5 mL.' How many milliliters are needed to administer a 500 mg dose?
Answer: 10 mL
Using the ratio: 250 mg/5 mL = 500 mg/x mL, solving gives x = 10 mL for a 500 mg dose.
Which schedule of controlled substances has no currently accepted medical use in the United States?
Answer: Schedule I
Schedule I substances like heroin and LSD have no accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse under the Controlled Substances Act.
What is 'bioavailability' in pharmacology?
Answer: The fraction of a drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged
Bioavailability refers to the proportion of an administered drug dose that reaches the systemic circulation in an active form.
Which medication requires INR monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic range and risk of bleeding?
Answer: Warfarin (Coumadin)
Warfarin's anticoagulant effect is highly variable and requires regular INR monitoring to maintain a therapeutic range of 2.0–3.0.