FREE Pharmacology Central Nervous System Drugs Questions and Answers

Question 1

A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa. What is the primary role of carbidopa in this combination therapy?

Accepted Answer

To prevent the peripheral conversion of levodopa to dopamine.

Answer

To increase the peripheral metabolism of dopamine.

Answer

To inhibit the breakdown of dopamine in the brain.

Answer

To enhance the reuptake of dopamine into presynaptic neurons.

Question 2

Which of the following describes the primary mechanism of action of benzodiazepines in the central nervous system?

Accepted Answer

Increasing the frequency of chloride channel opening in response to GABA binding.

Answer

Directly activating GABA-A receptors to open chloride channels.

Answer

Blocking the reuptake of serotonin and norepinephrine.

Answer

Inhibiting monoamine oxidase enzymes.

Question 3

A patient is experiencing an acute migraine attack. Which of the following drugs, acting as a serotonin (5-HT1B/1D) receptor agonist, would be most appropriate for abortive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Sumatriptan

Answer

Propranolol

Answer

Topiramate

Answer

Amitriptyline

Question 4

A patient with generalized anxiety disorder is prescribed buspirone. Which of the following best describes the primary mechanism of action of buspirone?

Accepted Answer

Partial agonist at 5-HT1A serotonin receptors.

Answer

Potentiation of GABAergic neurotransmission.

Answer

Selective serotonin reuptake inhibition.

Answer

Blockade of dopamine D2 receptors.

Question 5

Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with the use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) that often leads to patient non-compliance, particularly in the initial weeks of therapy?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal disturbances (e.g., nausea, diarrhea) and sexual dysfunction.

Answer

Severe constipation and urinary retention.

Answer

Sedation and weight gain.

Answer

Hypertensive crisis and tachycardia.

Question 6

A patient with epilepsy is prescribed phenytoin. Regular monitoring of drug levels is crucial due to its saturable metabolism, often described as zero-order kinetics at therapeutic concentrations. Which of the following adverse effects is most commonly associated with chronic phenytoin use?

Accepted Answer

Gingival hyperplasia

Answer

Myocardial infarction

Answer

Hypokalemia

Answer

Acute renal failure

A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa.What is the primary role of carbidopa in this combination therapy?

A patient with Parkinson's disease is prescribed levodopa/carbidopa.
What is the primary role of carbidopa in this combination therapy?