BHS Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'polypharmacy' and why is it a concern in elderly US patients?
- The concurrent use of multiple medications, increasing risks of interactions and adverse effects (Correct answer)
- The practice of using one drug to treat multiple conditions
- Administering drugs via multiple routes simultaneously
- Using pharmaceutical-grade supplements
Correct answer: The concurrent use of multiple medications, increasing risks of interactions and adverse effects
Polypharmacy refers to the use of five or more medications simultaneously; in elderly patients, altered drug metabolism increases the risk of adverse reactions and interactions.
Question 2: Which drug class is commonly used as first-line therapy for type 2 diabetes in the US?
- Metformin (biguanides) (Correct answer)
- Sulfonylureas
- Insulin glargine
- DPP-4 inhibitors
Correct answer: Metformin (biguanides)
Metformin is the preferred first-line pharmacological treatment for type 2 diabetes per American Diabetes Association guidelines due to its efficacy, safety, and low cost.
Question 3: What does 'agonist' mean in pharmacology?
- A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a response (Correct answer)
- A drug that blocks a receptor without activating it
- A drug that speeds up the metabolism of another drug
- A drug that competes with a natural substrate
Correct answer: A drug that binds to a receptor and activates it to produce a response
An agonist is a substance that binds to a receptor and triggers a biological response by mimicking the action of the natural ligand.
Question 4: Which vitamin K antagonist is widely used as an anticoagulant in the US and requires INR monitoring?
- Warfarin (Correct answer)
- Heparin
- Apixaban
- Aspirin
Correct answer: Warfarin
Warfarin inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors and requires regular INR monitoring due to its narrow therapeutic index and numerous drug-food interactions.
Question 5: What is 'drug tolerance' in pharmacology?
- A reduced response to a drug after repeated exposure, requiring higher doses for the same effect (Correct answer)
- An allergic response triggered by repeated drug use
- The body's ability to safely handle high doses
- A drug's capacity to treat multiple conditions
Correct answer: A reduced response to a drug after repeated exposure, requiring higher doses for the same effect
Drug tolerance occurs when repeated drug exposure leads to diminished therapeutic effect, often requiring dose escalation to maintain efficacy.
Question 6: Which schedule classification under the US Controlled Substances Act has the highest potential for abuse and no accepted medical use?
- Schedule I (Correct answer)
- Schedule II
- Schedule III
- Schedule IV
Correct answer: Schedule I
Schedule I drugs (e.g., heroin, LSD) are classified as having high abuse potential and no currently accepted medical use in the US.
BHS Pharmacology and Therapeutics 2
What is 'polypharmacy' and why is it a concern in elderly US patients?