MACE Pharmacology Principles & Drug Classifications 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which drug classification includes medications like metformin and glipizide?
- Antihypertensives
- Antidiabetics (Correct answer)
- Anticoagulants
- Bronchodilators
Correct answer: Antidiabetics
Metformin and glipizide are antidiabetic drugs used to lower blood glucose in type 2 diabetes.
Question 2: The term 'half-life' in pharmacology refers to:
- The time for a drug to reach peak concentration
- The time required for plasma drug concentration to decrease by 50% (Correct answer)
- The dose needed to produce a therapeutic effect in 50% of patients
- Half the standard dose given to elderly patients
Correct answer: The time required for plasma drug concentration to decrease by 50%
Half-life is the time it takes for the concentration of a drug in the plasma to reduce by half.
Question 3: A medication labeled 'enteric-coated' should be:
- Crushed and mixed with food
- Dissolved in water before giving
- Swallowed whole without crushing (Correct answer)
- Chewed thoroughly before swallowing
Correct answer: Swallowed whole without crushing
Enteric-coated tablets must be swallowed whole because the coating protects the drug from stomach acid and prevents GI irritation.
Question 4: Which route of drug administration has the fastest onset of action?
- Oral
- Sublingual
- Intravenous (Correct answer)
- Transdermal
Correct answer: Intravenous
Intravenous (IV) administration delivers the drug directly into the bloodstream, resulting in the fastest onset.
Question 5: Beta-blockers are primarily classified as which type of medication?
- Diuretics
- Antihypertensives (Correct answer)
- Anticoagulants
- Antifungals
Correct answer: Antihypertensives
Beta-blockers such as metoprolol and atenolol are used primarily to treat hypertension and cardiac conditions.
Question 6: Which statement best describes a 'contraindication' for a drug?
- A condition in which the drug may be given with caution
- A situation in which a drug should NOT be used (Correct answer)
- A minor side effect that is expected
- An alternative drug that can be substituted
Correct answer: A situation in which a drug should NOT be used
A contraindication is a specific condition or factor that makes it inadvisable or dangerous to administer a particular medication.
Question 7: NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) work by:
- Blocking dopamine receptors in the brain
- Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis (Correct answer)
- Stimulating opioid receptors
- Increasing serotonin reuptake
Correct answer: Inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis
NSAIDs such as ibuprofen reduce pain and inflammation by inhibiting cyclooxygenase (COX) enzymes that produce prostaglandins.
MACE Pharmacology Principles & Drug Classifications 2
Which drug classification includes medications like metformin and glipizide?