Mixed Deck — All Pharm.D. Doctor of Pharmacy Topics Flashcards
100 cards from real Pharm.D. Doctor 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 20 Mixed Deck — All Pharm.D. Doctor of Pharmacy Topics flashcards as text
Which functional group is primarily responsible for the acidic properties of aspirin?
Answer: Carboxylic acid group
The carboxylic acid (–COOH) group in aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid) is responsible for its acidic properties and contributes to gastric irritation.
Which adverse drug reaction is classified as a Type B (idiosyncratic) reaction?
Answer: Penicillin-induced anaphylaxis
Penicillin anaphylaxis is a Type B (idiosyncratic/immunological) reaction — it is unpredictable, not dose-related, and occurs in only susceptible individuals due to immune-mediated mechanisms.
What is the recommended first-line regimen for Helicobacter pylori eradication in regions with low clarithromycin resistance (below 15%)?
Answer: PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin for 14 days
Clarithromycin-based triple therapy (PPI + amoxicillin + clarithromycin for 14 days) is first-line for H. pylori eradication where clarithromycin resistance rates are below 15%.
Which adverse effect is most concerning with long-term proton pump inhibitor (PPI) use?
Answer: Hypomagnesemia and increased risk of Clostridioides difficile infection
Long-term PPI use is associated with hypomagnesemia, hypokalemia, increased risk of C. difficile infection, and reduced absorption of calcium, vitamin B12, and iron.
For the treatment of severe acne vulgaris, an 18-year-old female patient is referred to a dermatologist. Tetracycline is something the dermatologist wants to start her on. Which examination should the patient have before beginning treatment?
Answer: Pregnancy test
Test for pregnancy. Tetracyclines work well for treating severe acne outbreaks. However, they are teratogenic. Therefore, it is crucial to confirm that female patients are not pregnant before beginning this medicine. To further reduce this risk, patients are frequently started on birth control at the same time.
Which type of drug interaction involves competition for the same plasma protein binding site?
Answer: Pharmacokinetic displacement
Pharmacokinetic displacement occurs when two drugs compete for the same plasma protein binding sites, potentially increasing free drug concentration of one.
Which pharmacokinetic parameter describes the volume of plasma cleared of a drug per unit time?
Answer: Clearance
Clearance (CL) is the pharmacokinetic parameter that represents the volume of plasma cleared of a drug per unit time, typically expressed in L/hr or mL/min.
Which clinical pharmacy service is MOST associated with reducing hospital readmissions for heart failure patients?
Answer: Medication therapy management (MTM) and adherence counseling
MTM with adherence counseling helps heart failure patients understand their complex regimens, improving adherence and reducing readmissions.
Which lab finding is characteristic of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT)?
Answer: Platelet count drop of ≥50% from baseline, typically 5–14 days after heparin initiation
HIT is characterized by a ≥50% platelet count drop from baseline occurring 5–14 days after heparin initiation due to antibodies against heparin-platelet factor 4 complexes.
A patient on warfarin starts taking fluconazole. What is the expected drug interaction?
Answer: Increased INR due to CYP2C9 inhibition
Fluconazole inhibits CYP2C9, reducing warfarin metabolism and increasing INR.
Which ingredient classification in a compounded preparation serves as the vehicle or base?
Answer: Excipient
Excipients (including vehicles, bases, binders, and fillers) are inactive ingredients that provide the physical form of the preparation and carry the API.
What is the primary mechanism of action of fluoroquinolone antibiotics?
Answer: Inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV
Fluoroquinolones inhibit DNA gyrase and topoisomerase IV, enzymes essential for bacterial DNA replication and transcription, leading to double-strand DNA breaks and cell death.
Which antifungal agent causes nephrotoxicity with renal tubular acidosis and electrolyte wasting (potassium, magnesium), requiring frequent laboratory monitoring during therapy?
Answer: Amphotericin B deoxycholate
Amphotericin B deoxycholate (conventional formulation) is notorious for nephrotoxicity, causing azotemia, distal renal tubular acidosis, and urinary wasting of potassium and magnesium.
What does the term 'agonist' mean in pharmacodynamics?
Answer: A drug that binds and activates a receptor to produce a response
An agonist binds to a receptor and activates it, mimicking the endogenous ligand and producing a pharmacological response.
Which pharmacokinetic parameter best describes the fraction of an administered drug that reaches systemic circulation unchanged?
Answer: Bioavailability
Bioavailability (F) is the fraction of drug that reaches systemic circulation in unchanged form.
A 15-year-old appears with nasal congestion and thin, clear rhinorrhea that has lasted for six days. She reports some minor facial soreness but no fevers. She thinks her symptoms are getting better. Which factor accounts for her symptoms most likely?
Answer: Viral
The patient's symptoms of nasal congestion, thin clear rhinorrhea, minor facial soreness, and absence of fever, lasting six days and improving, are highly characteristic of a common viral upper respiratory infection (URI). Bacterial sinusitis typically presents with more severe symptoms, purulent discharge, and often worsening symptoms after an initial improvement or persistence beyond 7-10 days.
Naloxone reverses opioid overdose by acting as a:
Answer: Opioid receptor competitive antagonist
Naloxone competitively displaces opioids from mu, kappa, and delta receptors, reversing respiratory depression, sedation, and analgesia within minutes.
Which counseling point is MOST important when dispensing bisphosphonates like alendronate to a patient?
Answer: Take with 8 oz of water and remain upright for 30 minutes
Bisphosphonates must be taken with a full glass of water and the patient must remain upright for at least 30 minutes to prevent esophageal irritation and ulceration.
Which of the subsequent NSAIDs is a derivative of enolic acid?
Answer: Piroxicam
NSAIDs are classified into different chemical groups based on their structure. Piroxicam is an enolic acid derivative, belonging to the oxicam class of NSAIDs. Other options like ibuprofen and naproxen are propionic acid derivatives.
Which adverse effect is most associated with aminoglycoside antibiotics?
Answer: Nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity
Aminoglycosides accumulate in renal proximal tubule cells and cochlear hair cells, causing nephrotoxicity and ototoxicity.