DCAS Pharmacology for Paramedics

Question 1

The therapeutic effect of adenosine in SVT relies on its ability to:

Accepted Answer

Transiently block AV nodal conduction, terminating re-entrant circuits

Answer

Permanently slow the heart rate

Answer

Cause calcium channel blockade

Answer

Increase cardiac contractility

Question 2

Morphine sulphate's primary mechanism of action in pain management is:

Accepted Answer

Binding to mu-opioid receptors in the CNS and peripheral nervous system to reduce pain perception

Answer

Blocking sodium channels in pain nerve fibres

Answer

Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis

Answer

Causing muscle relaxation to reduce spasm pain

Question 3

The correct pre-hospital dose of aspirin for suspected STEMI is:

Accepted Answer

300mg (chewed, not swallowed whole, for rapid absorption)

Answer

75mg oral

Answer

600mg IV

Answer

150mg sublingual

Question 4

Glucagon's mechanism of action in hypoglycaemia treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Stimulating glycogenolysis in the liver, raising blood glucose — independent of beta-adrenoceptors

Answer

Direct glucose supplementation

Answer

Stimulating pancreatic insulin secretion

Answer

Inhibiting glucose uptake by cells

Question 5

Ipratropium bromide is used in acute severe asthma to:

Accepted Answer

Provide additional bronchodilation through muscarinic (cholinergic) receptor blockade, complementing beta-2 agonist therapy

Answer

Replace salbutamol in mild asthma

Answer

Provide systemic anti-inflammatory effects

Answer

Prevent mast cell degranulation

Question 6

The reversal agent for benzodiazepine overdose is:

Accepted Answer

Flumazenil — competitive GABA-A receptor antagonist

Answer

Naloxone — opioid receptor antagonist

Answer

Physostigmine — anticholinesterase

Answer

Atipamezole — alpha-2 antagonist