CVA Veterinary Pharmacology 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which drug is used to reverse the sedative and analgesic effects of medetomidine or dexmedetomidine in dogs?
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Atipamezole (Correct answer)
- Neostigmine
Correct answer: Atipamezole
Atipamezole (Antisedan) is a selective alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist that rapidly reverses the effects of medetomidine and dexmedetomidine.
Question 2: A technician notices a vial labeled 'FOR VETERINARY USE ONLY — NOT FOR HUMAN USE.' This label indicates the drug is:
- A compounded medication
- A controlled substance
- An extra-label drug
- An FDA-approved veterinary product (Correct answer)
Correct answer: An FDA-approved veterinary product
FDA-approved veterinary drugs carry labels specifying they are for animal use only, distinguishing them from human-label products used extra-label.
Question 3: Which route of administration provides the fastest onset of drug action in an emergency situation?
- Subcutaneous
- Intramuscular
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
- Oral
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous administration delivers drugs directly into the bloodstream, providing near-immediate onset of action, critical in emergencies.
Question 4: Cyclosporine is prescribed to a dog with atopic dermatitis. What is its primary immunologic mechanism?
- Inhibits T-lymphocyte activation (Correct answer)
- Kills B lymphocytes
- Blocks histamine receptors
- Increases cortisol production
Correct answer: Inhibits T-lymphocyte activation
Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin, preventing T-lymphocyte activation and the release of cytokines like IL-2 that drive allergic inflammation.
Question 5: A rabbit is prescribed enrofloxacin. Which organ system requires special caution when using fluoroquinolones in young, growing animals?
- Cardiovascular system
- Developing cartilage and joints (Correct answer)
- Renal tubules
- Bone marrow
Correct answer: Developing cartilage and joints
Fluoroquinolones can damage articular cartilage in young animals, so they should be used with caution in juvenile patients.
Question 6: Which electrolyte imbalance is a known adverse effect of prolonged furosemide therapy in dogs?
- Hyperkalemia
- Hypercalcemia
- Hypokalemia (Correct answer)
- Hypernatremia
Correct answer: Hypokalemia
Furosemide promotes potassium excretion in the urine along with sodium and water, leading to hypokalemia with prolonged use.
Question 7: What does the term 'therapeutic index' refer to in veterinary pharmacology?
- The time for a drug to reach peak concentration
- The ratio between a toxic dose and an effective dose (Correct answer)
- The percentage of drug absorbed orally
- The frequency of dosing required for efficacy
Correct answer: The ratio between a toxic dose and an effective dose
The therapeutic index (TI) is the ratio of the toxic dose (TD50) to the effective dose (ED50); a narrow TI means a drug requires careful dose monitoring.
CVA Veterinary Pharmacology 5
Which drug is used to reverse the sedative and analgesic effects of medetomidine or dexmedetomidine in dogs?