MCAP Pharmacology and Medication-Assisted Treatment

Question 1

Which medication for opioid use disorder acts as a full mu-opioid agonist and must be dispensed through federally certified opioid treatment programs (OTPs)?

Accepted Answer

Methadone

Answer

Methadone is a full mu-opioid agonist that, when used for OUD treatment, can only legally be dispensed through federally certified opioid treatment programs.

Question 2

Buprenorphine exhibits a 'ceiling effect' on respiratory depression primarily because it is a:

Accepted Answer

Partial agonist at mu-opioid receptors

Answer

Buprenorphine's partial agonist activity at mu-opioid receptors means its respiratory depressant effects plateau, providing a safer margin than full agonists.

Question 3

Sublingual buprenorphine/naloxone (Suboxone) contains naloxone primarily to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent diversion and deter injection misuse

Answer

Naloxone is added to deter injection misuse; when injected by an opioid-dependent individual, the bioavailable naloxone precipitates acute withdrawal.

Question 4

A patient receiving naltrexone for opioid use disorder requires emergency surgery. The surgical team should be informed that:

Accepted Answer

Higher-than-usual opioid doses may be needed for adequate pain control

Answer

Naltrexone blocks opioid receptors, so patients may require significantly higher opioid doses to achieve adequate analgesia during surgical procedures.

Question 5

Which of the following represents a contraindication to initiating buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder?

Accepted Answer

Full opioid agonist use within the past 12-24 hours without signs of withdrawal

Answer

Initiating buprenorphine before adequate withdrawal from full opioid agonists risks precipitating acute withdrawal, because buprenorphine's high receptor affinity and partial agonism displace the full agonist.

MCAP - Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional Practice Test

MCAP - Master's Level Certified Addiction Professional Practice Test

MCAP Pharmacology and Medication-Assisted Treatment