CN Pharmacology & Drug Administration 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Metformin, a common diabetes drug, may deplete which vitamin over long-term use?
- Vitamin D
- Vitamin B12 (Correct answer)
- Vitamin A
- Vitamin E
Correct answer: Vitamin B12
Long-term metformin use impairs B12 absorption, risking deficiency.
Question 2: Which term refers to the effect a drug has on the body and its mechanism of action?
- Pharmacokinetics
- Pharmacodynamics (Correct answer)
- Bioequivalence
- Half-life
Correct answer: Pharmacodynamics
Pharmacodynamics describes what the drug does to the body.
Question 3: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) can reduce absorption of which mineral due to lowered stomach acid?
- Magnesium
- Iron
- Both magnesium and iron (Correct answer)
- Neither
Correct answer: Both magnesium and iron
Reduced gastric acid from PPIs impairs absorption of both iron and magnesium.
Question 4: A drug's 'half-life' refers to the time required for what?
- Plasma concentration to fall by half (Correct answer)
- The drug to be fully absorbed
- Onset of action
- Complete excretion
Correct answer: Plasma concentration to fall by half
Half-life is the time for plasma drug concentration to decrease by 50%.
Question 5: MAOI antidepressants require avoiding foods high in which compound to prevent hypertensive crisis?
- Tyramine (Correct answer)
- Tryptophan
- Taurine
- Tyrosine
Correct answer: Tyramine
MAOIs block tyramine breakdown, and tyramine-rich foods can spike blood pressure.
Question 6: Corticosteroids used long-term increase the dietary need for which two nutrients?
- Calcium and vitamin D (Correct answer)
- Iron and folate
- Sodium and potassium
- Vitamin C and zinc
Correct answer: Calcium and vitamin D
Corticosteroids impair bone metabolism, raising calcium and vitamin D needs.
Question 7: Enteric-coated tablets are designed to dissolve in which part of the digestive tract?
- Mouth
- Stomach
- Small intestine (Correct answer)
- Large intestine
Correct answer: Small intestine
Enteric coatings resist stomach acid and release the drug in the small intestine.
CN Pharmacology & Drug Administration 3
Metformin, a common diabetes drug, may deplete which vitamin over long-term use?