Trivia FPGEE Exam Flashcards

Which organization administers the FPGEE in the United States?

Answer: NABP

The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy (NABP) administers the FPGEE.

What is the primary mechanism of action of metformin in treating type 2 diabetes?

Answer: Decreases hepatic glucose production

Metformin primarily works by inhibiting hepatic gluconeogenesis, reducing liver glucose output.

Which cytochrome P450 enzyme is responsible for metabolizing approximately 50% of all marketed drugs?

Answer: CYP3A4

CYP3A4 is the most abundant hepatic CYP enzyme and metabolizes roughly half of all drugs.

A patient taking warfarin begins a course of fluconazole. What is the expected effect?

Answer: Increased anticoagulation

Fluconazole inhibits CYP2C9, reducing warfarin metabolism and increasing anticoagulant effect.

What is the controlled substance schedule for hydrocodone combination products in the US?

Answer: Schedule II

Since 2014, all hydrocodone combination products were rescheduled to Schedule II by the DEA.

Which electrolyte imbalance is most commonly associated with loop diuretic use?

Answer: Hypokalemia

Loop diuretics inhibit Na-K-2Cl cotransporters, causing potassium wasting and hypokalemia.

What is the mechanism of action of statins?

Answer: Inhibit HMG-CoA reductase

Statins competitively inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, the rate-limiting enzyme in cholesterol synthesis.

Which pharmacokinetic parameter describes the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?

Answer: Bioavailability

Bioavailability (F) represents the fraction of the administered dose that reaches systemic circulation.

A patient with a penicillin allergy (anaphylaxis) requires antibiotic therapy for MRSA. Which agent is most appropriate?

Answer: Vancomycin

Vancomycin is the drug of choice for MRSA and does not cross-react with penicillins.

Which pregnancy category (FDA legacy system) was associated with demonstrated fetal risk in human studies?

Answer: Category D

Category D indicates evidence of human fetal risk, but potential benefits may warrant use in serious situations.

What is the antidote for acetaminophen overdose?

Answer: N-acetylcysteine

N-acetylcysteine replenishes glutathione stores, preventing hepatotoxicity from NAPQI accumulation.

Which receptor type mediates the bronchodilatory effect of albuterol?

Answer: Beta-2 adrenergic

Albuterol selectively activates beta-2 adrenergic receptors in bronchial smooth muscle to cause bronchodilation.

What is the recommended maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for a healthy adult?

Answer: 4,000 mg

The maximum daily dose of acetaminophen for healthy adults is 4,000 mg (4 g) per day.

Which of the following antihypertensives is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenicity?

Answer: ACE inhibitors

ACE inhibitors cause fetal renal damage and are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy (all trimesters).

What term describes a drug that binds to a receptor and produces a submaximal response compared to a full agonist?

Answer: Partial agonist

A partial agonist activates receptors but cannot produce the maximal response that a full agonist can.

Which class of antibiotics inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis by binding penicillin-binding proteins?

Answer: Beta-lactams

Beta-lactam antibiotics (penicillins, cephalosporins, carbapenems) inhibit cell wall synthesis via PBP binding.

What is the Henderson-Hasselbalch equation used for in pharmacokinetics?

Answer: Predicting the ionization state of a drug at a given pH

The Henderson-Hasselbalch equation relates pH, pKa, and the ratio of ionized to unionized drug forms.

A patient on MAO inhibitors consumes tyramine-rich foods. What serious reaction may occur?

Answer: Hypertensive crisis

MAO inhibitors block tyramine metabolism, causing massive norepinephrine release and hypertensive crisis.

Which hepatic function test is most specific for hepatocellular damage?

Answer: Alanine aminotransferase (ALT)

ALT is predominantly found in hepatocytes, making it the most specific marker for hepatocellular injury.

What is the mechanism by which proton pump inhibitors reduce gastric acid?

Answer: Irreversibly inhibit H+/K+-ATPase

PPIs irreversibly bind and inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) on gastric parietal cells.