Medical Knowledge Pharmacology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the half-life of a drug?
- Time to reach peak plasma concentration
- Time for drug concentration to decrease by 50% (Correct answer)
- Time for full drug elimination
- Time for drug effect to begin
Correct answer: Time for drug concentration to decrease by 50%
Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by half.
Question 2: What does 'PRN' mean in a medication order?
- Per rectum now
- As needed (Correct answer)
- Before meals
- Every night
Correct answer: As needed
PRN is a Latin abbreviation for 'pro re nata,' meaning the medication should be given based on patient need rather than a fixed schedule.
Question 3: Which class of antibiotics inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis?
- Tetracyclines
- Fluoroquinolones
- Beta-lactams (Penicillins) (Correct answer)
- Macrolides
Correct answer: Beta-lactams (Penicillins)
Beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit transpeptidase enzymes, preventing cross-linking of bacterial peptidoglycan cell walls.
Question 4: What is pharmacokinetics?
- Study of drug effects on the body
- Study of what the body does to the drug (Correct answer)
- Study of drug-receptor interactions
- Study of drug side effects
Correct answer: Study of what the body does to the drug
Pharmacokinetics describes the absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion (ADME) of drugs within the body.
Question 5: What type of drug interaction produces an effect greater than the sum of each drug's individual effects?
- Antagonism
- Additive effect
- Synergism (Correct answer)
- Idiosyncratic reaction
Correct answer: Synergism
Synergism (potentiation) occurs when combined drug effects exceed what would be expected from each drug alone.
Question 6: Which drug class is used to treat hypertension by blocking angiotensin II receptors?
- Beta-blockers
- ARBs (Correct answer)
- Diuretics
- Calcium channel blockers
Correct answer: ARBs
Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) prevent angiotensin II from binding its receptor, lowering blood pressure and reducing cardiac workload.
Medical Knowledge Pharmacology 2
What is the half-life of a drug?