MCAP Pharmacology and Medication-Assisted Treatment 2

Question 1

Disulfiram (Antabuse) produces an aversive reaction to alcohol through which primary mechanism?

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing toxic acetaldehyde accumulation

Answer

Disulfiram inhibits aldehyde dehydrogenase, the enzyme that metabolizes acetaldehyde, causing this toxic metabolite to accumulate and produce flushing, nausea, and cardiovascular distress.

Question 2

Acamprosate (Campral) is believed to reduce alcohol cravings in early recovery by:

Accepted Answer

Modulating glutamate and GABA activity to restore neurochemical balance disrupted by chronic alcohol use

Answer

Acamprosate restores the balance between inhibitory GABA and excitatory glutamate neurotransmission disrupted by chronic alcohol use, reducing protracted withdrawal symptoms and cravings.

Question 3

When managing severe alcohol withdrawal syndrome with a history of seizures, the evidence-based first-line pharmacological treatment is:

Accepted Answer

Benzodiazepines such as diazepam or lorazepam

Answer

Benzodiazepines are the gold standard for alcohol withdrawal due to cross-tolerance with alcohol at GABA-A receptors, effectively preventing seizures and delirium tremens.

Question 4

Naltrexone's mechanism of action in treating alcohol use disorder (AUD) involves:

Accepted Answer

Blocking opioid receptors to reduce the rewarding effects of alcohol

Answer

Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, disrupting the opioid-mediated dopamine release that contributes to alcohol's rewarding effects, thereby reducing cravings and relapse.

Question 5

Varenicline (Chantix) is effective for smoking cessation because it:

Accepted Answer

Acts as a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic receptors, reducing cravings and blocking nicotine's effects

Answer

Varenicline is a partial agonist at alpha-4 beta-2 nicotinic acetylcholine receptors, providing enough stimulation to reduce withdrawal while blocking nicotine from fully activating these receptors.

MCAP - Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional Practice Test

MCAP - Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional Practice Test

MCAP Pharmacology and Medication-Assisted Treatment 2