Free VTNE Pharmacy and Pharmacology Questions and Answers — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A veterinarian orders 250 mg of cephalexin to be administered orally every 8 hours for 10 days. The in-house pharmacy has 500 mg tablets and 250 mg capsules. To ensure compliance and accurate dosing, which of the following should the veterinary technician dispense?
- 15 capsules, labeled 'Give 1/2 capsule every 8 hours'
- 30 capsules, labeled 'Give 1 capsule every 8 hours'
- 15 tablets, labeled 'Give 1/2 tablet every 8 hours' (Correct answer)
- 30 tablets, labeled 'Give 1 tablet every 8 hours'
Correct answer: 15 tablets, labeled 'Give 1/2 tablet every 8 hours'
The order is for 250 mg, and the 500 mg tablets are scored, allowing them to be accurately split in half to provide the correct 250 mg dose. Dispensing 15 tablets covers the 10-day (30 doses) treatment period (30 doses * 0.5 tablets/dose = 15 tablets). Capsules should not be split, and dispensing whole 500 mg tablets would be an overdose.
Question 2: A 44-lb dog is prescribed carprofen for osteoarthritis at a dose of 2.2 mg/kg twice daily. The available tablets are 100 mg, scored. How many tablets should be administered per dose?
- 1.0 tablet
- 0.25 tablets
- 0.75 tablets
- 0.5 tablets (Correct answer)
Correct answer: 0.5 tablets
First, convert the dog's weight from pounds to kilograms: 44 lb / 2.2 lb/kg = 20 kg. Next, calculate the required dose in mg: 20 kg * 2.2 mg/kg = 44 mg. Since the available tablets are 100 mg and are scored, the closest accurate dose is half a tablet (50 mg). Administering 0.5 tablets provides the appropriate therapeutic amount.
Question 3: Which of the following is a requirement for legally maintaining controlled substance logs in a veterinary practice?
- Logs for all schedules can be kept in a single binder.
- Records for Schedule II drugs must be kept separate from Schedules III, IV, and V. (Correct answer)
- All controlled substance logs must be submitted to the DEA monthly.
- Only the dispensing veterinarian is permitted to make entries in the log.
Correct answer: Records for Schedule II drugs must be kept separate from Schedules III, IV, and V.
DEA regulations require that records for Schedule II controlled substances be maintained separately from all other controlled substance records. This ensures stricter tracking of drugs with the highest potential for abuse.
Question 4: A client calls the clinic in a panic, stating they accidentally gave their cat a double dose of its prescribed medication. Which of the following is the most appropriate initial action for the veterinary technician?
- Advise the owner to induce vomiting immediately.
- Instruct the owner to monitor for any adverse effects and call back if they occur.
- Reassure the owner that a single double dose is unlikely to cause harm.
- Obtain the drug name and concentration, and notify the veterinarian immediately. (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Obtain the drug name and concentration, and notify the veterinarian immediately.
The technician's primary role is to gather essential information and alert the veterinarian. The veterinarian will then determine the risk and provide appropriate medical advice. Technicians should not give medical advice, such as inducing vomiting, without direct orders from a veterinarian, as it could be contraindicated.
Question 5: Which government agency is responsible for regulating animal topical pesticides?
- Food and Drug Administration (FDA)
- Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) (Correct answer)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Correct answer: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is the regulatory body that oversees the development and approval of topical pesticides for animals, such as flea and tick preventatives. The FDA regulates animal drugs, the DEA regulates controlled substances, and the USDA regulates vaccines and other biologics.
Question 6: According to the DEA, a drug like ketamine, which has an accepted medical use but also a potential for abuse, is classified under which schedule?
- Schedule I
- Schedule V
- Schedule II
- Schedule III (Correct answer)
Correct answer: Schedule III
Ketamine is classified as a Schedule III controlled substance. These drugs have a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence and are used in medical practice. Schedule II drugs (like pure opioids) have a high potential for abuse, and Schedule I drugs have no currently accepted medical use.
Free VTNE Pharmacy and Pharmacology Questions and Answers
A veterinarian orders 250 mg of cephalexin to be administered orally every 8 hours for 10 days.
The in-house pharmacy has 500 mg tablets and 250 mg capsules.
To ensure compliance and accurate dosing, which of the following should the veterinary technician dispense?