FPGEE Pharmacokinetics 2

Question 1

A drug has a volume of distribution (Vd) of 350 L in a 70 kg patient. What does this suggest about the drug's distribution?

Accepted Answer

The drug is extensively distributed into tissues

Answer

A Vd of 350 L far exceeds total body water (~42 L), indicating extensive tissue distribution rather than plasma confinement.

Question 2

Which pharmacokinetic parameter best predicts drug accumulation during multiple dosing?

Accepted Answer

Half-life

Answer

Half-life determines accumulation because it dictates how much drug remains before each subsequent dose.

Question 3

A patient with renal failure has a creatinine clearance of 15 mL/min (normal ~120 mL/min). For a drug that is 80% renally excreted unchanged, how should dosing be adjusted?

Accepted Answer

Reduce dose or extend interval significantly

Answer

An 87.5% reduction in renal clearance for a predominantly renally excreted drug requires substantial dose reduction or interval extension to avoid toxicity.

Question 4

Which of the following best describes zero-order kinetics?

Accepted Answer

A constant amount of drug is eliminated per unit time

Answer

Zero-order kinetics occurs when elimination mechanisms are saturated and a fixed amount (not fraction) is eliminated per unit time.

Question 5

The area under the curve (AUC) is most directly used to calculate which parameter?

Accepted Answer

Systemic clearance

Answer

Systemic clearance (CL) = Dose / AUC for IV administration, making AUC the direct input for calculating clearance.

FPGEE Exam Practice Test

FPGEE Exam Practice Test

FPGEE Pharmacokinetics 2