Master of Pharmacy: Pharmacology and Therapeutics Flashcards
7 cards from real MPharm Master of Pharmacy practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Master of Pharmacy: Pharmacology and Therapeutics flashcards as text
In a patient with Parkinson's disease, which mechanism explains levodopa-induced dyskinesias after long-term use?
Answer: Pulsatile dopaminergic stimulation causing sensitization of striatal neurons
Non-physiologic pulsatile dopamine receptor stimulation from intermittent levodopa dosing causes maladaptive plasticity and sensitization in striatal circuits, producing dyskinesias.
A patient on tacrolimus post-renal transplant is started on fluconazole. What is the expected outcome?
Answer: Increased tacrolimus levels due to CYP3A4 inhibition
Fluconazole potently inhibits CYP3A4, the primary enzyme metabolizing tacrolimus, leading to significantly elevated tacrolimus levels and nephrotoxicity risk.
Which pharmacodynamic principle explains why combining a bactericidal and bacteriostatic antibiotic may reduce efficacy?
Answer: Bactericidal drugs (e.g., beta-lactams) require actively dividing bacteria; stasis prevents this
Beta-lactams target cell wall synthesis during active bacterial growth; bacteriostatic agents halt growth, preventing the cell division needed for beta-lactam-mediated killing.
A Type 2 diabetic with established cardiovascular disease is prescribed empagliflozin. Beyond glycemic control, what is its primary evidence-based benefit?
Answer: Reduction in cardiovascular death and hospitalization for heart failure
The EMPA-REG OUTCOME trial demonstrated empagliflozin significantly reduces cardiovascular death and heart failure hospitalization in patients with T2DM and established CVD.
A patient receiving vancomycin develops red man syndrome during infusion. What is the mechanism?
Answer: Direct mast cell degranulation causing histamine release independent of IgE
Red man syndrome is caused by direct, non-IgE-mediated mast cell degranulation from rapid vancomycin infusion, releasing histamine and causing flushing and urticaria.
Which parameter determines whether a drug follows first-order or zero-order elimination kinetics?
Answer: Whether drug concentration exceeds the capacity of elimination pathways (saturation kinetics)
At low concentrations, most drugs follow first-order kinetics; when drug concentration saturates metabolic enzymes, zero-order kinetics occur (constant amount eliminated per unit time).
In the treatment of status epilepticus, why is lorazepam preferred over diazepam for initial IV management?
Answer: Lorazepam has longer duration of action due to less rapid CNS redistribution
Although both have similar onset, lorazepam is less lipophilic and redistributes more slowly out of the CNS, providing a longer anticonvulsant effect (12-24 hours vs 20-30 minutes).