Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Flashcards
6 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 6 Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics flashcards as text
Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) reduce gastric acid by:
Answer: Irreversibly inhibiting H+/K+-ATPase on parietal cells
PPIs (e.g., omeprazole, pantoprazole) irreversibly inhibit the H+/K+-ATPase (proton pump) in gastric parietal cells, providing the most potent and sustained acid suppression.
Which lipid-lowering drug class most effectively reduces LDL cholesterol and is first-line for ASCVD risk reduction?
Answer: Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
Statins inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing hepatic cholesterol synthesis, upregulating LDL receptors, and producing the greatest LDL reduction with proven cardiovascular mortality benefit.
Tamoxifen is used in the treatment of hormone receptor-positive breast cancer. Its mechanism of action is:
Answer: Selective estrogen receptor modulation (SERM) — blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue
Tamoxifen is a SERM that competitively blocks estrogen receptors in breast tissue, preventing estrogen-driven tumor proliferation while acting as an estrogen agonist in bone and uterus.
Which medication is the first-line treatment for C. difficile infection (CDI) of non-severe severity?
Answer: Oral vancomycin or oral fidaxomicin
Current IDSA/SHEA guidelines recommend oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin as first-line for non-severe CDI, replacing oral metronidazole which has inferior cure rates.
When selecting an antibiotic for a UTI caused by MRSA, which agent is appropriate?
Answer: Trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole (TMP-SMX) if susceptible, or nitrofurantoin
MRSA is resistant to beta-lactams; TMP-SMX or nitrofurantoin are appropriate for uncomplicated MRSA UTI if in vitro susceptibility is confirmed.
Which class of antidepressant carries a black box warning for increased suicidality in patients under 24 years of age?
Answer: All antidepressants
The FDA requires a black box warning on ALL antidepressant classes for increased risk of suicidal thinking and behavior in children, adolescents, and young adults up to age 24.