CNPR Pharmacology & Medical Terminology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The term 'tachycardia' describes a heart rate that is:
- Below 60 beats per minute
- Irregular and unpredictable
- Above 100 beats per minute (Correct answer)
- Stopped temporarily
Correct answer: Above 100 beats per minute
Tachycardia means rapid heart rate, typically defined as greater than 100 beats per minute; 'tachy-' means fast.
Question 2: Which pharmacokinetic term describes the process by which a drug moves from its site of administration into the bloodstream?
- Distribution
- Metabolism
- Absorption (Correct answer)
- Excretion
Correct answer: Absorption
Absorption is the process by which drug molecules move from the site of administration into systemic circulation.
Question 3: The medical suffix '-algia' refers to:
- Paralysis
- Rupture
- Pain (Correct answer)
- Swelling
Correct answer: Pain
The suffix '-algia' means pain, as in myalgia (muscle pain) or neuralgia (nerve pain).
Question 4: A 'contraindication' in pharmacology is best defined as:
- A recommended drug combination
- A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable or unsafe (Correct answer)
- An alternate dosing schedule
- A drug's primary indication
Correct answer: A condition that makes a treatment inadvisable or unsafe
A contraindication is a specific situation or condition in which a drug or treatment should not be used due to potential harm.
Question 5: Which term describes the maximum effect a drug can produce regardless of dose increase?
- Potency
- Efficacy (Correct answer)
- Threshold
- Selectivity
Correct answer: Efficacy
Efficacy refers to the maximum pharmacological effect achievable with a drug, even with increasing doses beyond that point.
Question 6: The combining form 'derm/o' or 'dermat/o' refers to:
- Bone
- Skin (Correct answer)
- Blood
- Nerve
Correct answer: Skin
The combining form 'derm/o' or 'dermat/o' relates to the skin, as seen in dermatology and dermatitis.
Question 7: The 'first-pass effect' is most significant for which route of drug administration?
- Intravenous
- Sublingual
- Oral (Correct answer)
- Inhalation
Correct answer: Oral
Oral drugs undergo first-pass metabolism in the liver before reaching systemic circulation, significantly reducing bioavailability.
CNPR Pharmacology & Medical Terminology 5
The term 'tachycardia' describes a heart rate that is: