CFPN Toxicology and Pharmacology in Forensic Cases 2

Question 1

A patient presents with miosis, respiratory depression, and altered mental status. Which drug class is most likely responsible?

Accepted Answer

Opioids

Answer

The classic opioid toxidrome includes miosis (pinpoint pupils), respiratory depression, and CNS depression.

Question 2

In postmortem forensic toxicology, which phenomenon can cause measured drug concentrations to differ from ante-mortem levels?

Accepted Answer

Postmortem redistribution

Answer

Postmortem redistribution occurs as drugs migrate from tissue reservoirs into blood after death, altering concentration measurements.

Question 3

Which medication is a common antidote used in forensic/emergency settings to reverse opioid toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Naloxone

Answer

Naloxone is a competitive opioid receptor antagonist that rapidly reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression.

Question 4

What does a creatinine level below 2 mg/dL in a urine specimen indicate in forensic drug testing?

Accepted Answer

Specimen is not consistent with normal human urine (substituted)

Answer

Creatinine below 2 mg/dL indicates the specimen is not consistent with normal or dilute human urine and is considered substituted.

Question 5

Which class of drugs is detected using the EMIT immunoassay for THC metabolites in urine, and what is the standard federal cutoff concentration?

Accepted Answer

Cannabinoids at 50 ng/mL

Answer

The federal workplace drug testing cutoff for cannabinoid metabolites (THC-COOH) in urine immunoassay is 50 ng/mL.

CFPN - Certified Forensic Pharmacy Nurse Practice Test