PCP Pharmacology 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the primary mechanism of action of nitroglycerin?
- Beta-adrenergic blockade
- Venous and arterial dilation reducing cardiac workload (Correct answer)
- Increasing cardiac contractility
- Blocking calcium channels in the SA node
Correct answer: Venous and arterial dilation reducing cardiac workload
Nitroglycerin causes venous and arterial smooth muscle relaxation, reducing preload and afterload to decrease cardiac workload.
Question 2: The adult dose of oral aspirin for a suspected acute MI is:
- 81 mg
- 162–325 mg chewed (Correct answer)
- 500 mg swallowed whole
- 650 mg crushed
Correct answer: 162–325 mg chewed
162–325 mg of aspirin, chewed (not swallowed whole), is given for suspected acute MI to inhibit platelet aggregation rapidly.
Question 3: Which medication is a first-line treatment for anaphylaxis?
- Diphenhydramine (Benadryl)
- Epinephrine 1:1000 IM (Correct answer)
- Albuterol nebulized
- Methylprednisolone IV
Correct answer: Epinephrine 1:1000 IM
Epinephrine 1:1000 administered IM into the lateral thigh is the first-line treatment for anaphylaxis.
Question 4: What is the adult dose of epinephrine 1:1000 for anaphylaxis?
- 0.1 mg IM
- 0.3–0.5 mg IM (Correct answer)
- 1.0 mg IM
- 3.0 mg IM
Correct answer: 0.3–0.5 mg IM
The adult dose for anaphylaxis is 0.3–0.5 mg of epinephrine 1:1000 injected IM into the anterolateral thigh.
Question 5: Activated charcoal is contraindicated in which of the following situations?
- Aspirin overdose
- Acetaminophen overdose
- Caustic/corrosive substance ingestion (Correct answer)
- Benzodiazepine overdose
Correct answer: Caustic/corrosive substance ingestion
Activated charcoal is contraindicated with caustic ingestions because it does not bind caustics and obscures endoscopy.
Question 6: Which medication reverses opioid-induced respiratory depression?
- Flumazenil
- Naloxone (Narcan) (Correct answer)
- Adenosine
- Atropine
Correct answer: Naloxone (Narcan)
Naloxone is a competitive opioid antagonist that reverses respiratory depression, sedation, and analgesia caused by opioids.
PCP Pharmacology 1
What is the primary mechanism of action of nitroglycerin?