Pharmacology Flashcards

Which term describes when two drugs are combined and produce an effect greater than the sum of their individual effects?

Answer: Synergism

Synergism (or potentiation) occurs when combined drugs produce a response exceeding the sum of their separate effects.

An athlete using a nicotine patch to quit smoking asks if it will affect performance. Which physiological effect of nicotine is most relevant to athletic performance?

Answer: Increased catecholamine release causing elevated heart rate and blood pressure

Nicotine stimulates catecholamine release, increasing heart rate, blood pressure, and myocardial oxygen demand.

Which of the following best defines a drug's half-life?

Answer: The time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50%

Half-life is the time required for the concentration of a drug in the bloodstream to decrease by half.

An athlete develops hives and wheezing shortly after being given an oral antibiotic. What is the most appropriate immediate intervention?

Answer: Administer epinephrine 1:1000 IM and activate EMS

Signs of anaphylaxis require immediate intramuscular epinephrine and activation of emergency medical services.

Beta-blockers are prohibited in which sports primarily because of their performance-enhancing calming and anti-tremor effects?

Answer: Archery and shooting sports

Beta-blockers reduce tremor and heart rate, providing a significant performance advantage in precision sports like archery and shooting.

An athletic trainer is reviewing a prescription label that reads 'take 500 mg q8h.' How many milligrams would the athlete consume per day?

Answer: 1500 mg

Q8h means every 8 hours, resulting in 3 doses per day; 3 × 500 mg = 1500 mg daily.

Which vitamin or mineral supplement is most commonly implicated in adverse drug interactions with anticoagulants like warfarin?

Answer: Vitamin K

Vitamin K directly antagonizes warfarin's mechanism by supporting clotting factor synthesis, altering anticoagulation control.