Medical Knowledge Pharmacology 2

Question 1

What is the half-life of a drug?

Accepted Answer

Time for drug concentration to decrease by 50%

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

As needed

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Beta-lactams (Penicillins)

Answer

Beta-lactam antibiotics inhibit transpeptidase enzymes, preventing cross-linking of bacterial peptidoglycan cell walls.

Question 4

What is pharmacokinetics?

Accepted Answer

Study of what the body does to the drug

Answer

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?

Accepted Answer

Synergism

Answer

Synergism (potentiation) occurs when combined drug effects exceed what would be expected from each drug alone.

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