VTNE Veterinary Pharmacology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which opioid analgesic is most commonly used as a preanesthetic in dogs due to its sedative and analgesic properties?
- Buprenorphine
- Hydromorphone (Correct answer)
- Tramadol
- Codeine
Correct answer: Hydromorphone
Hydromorphone is a pure mu-opioid agonist widely used for preanesthesia in dogs because of its reliable sedation and potent analgesia.
Question 2: A cat receiving enrofloxacin at high doses is at risk for which serious adverse effect?
- Nephrotoxicity
- Retinal degeneration and blindness (Correct answer)
- Bone marrow suppression
- Hepatotoxicity
Correct answer: Retinal degeneration and blindness
High doses of enrofloxacin in cats can cause acute retinal degeneration leading to blindness due to fluoroquinolone toxicity specific to feline photoreceptors.
Question 3: Which drug class is used to treat heartworm disease (Dirofilaria immitis) adulticide therapy in dogs?
- Macrocyclic lactones
- Melarsomine (Correct answer)
- Benzimidazoles
- Piperazine
Correct answer: Melarsomine
Melarsomine dihydrochloride (Immiticide) is the only FDA-approved adulticide for treating adult heartworms in dogs.
Question 4: What is the mechanism of action of furosemide?
- Blocks aldosterone receptors in the distal tubule
- Inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the loop of Henle (Correct answer)
- Inhibits carbonic anhydrase in the proximal tubule
- Blocks sodium channels in the collecting duct
Correct answer: Inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the loop of Henle
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that inhibits the Na-K-2Cl cotransporter in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, reducing sodium and water reabsorption.
Question 5: A dog is prescribed phenobarbital for seizure control. Which organ function should be monitored every 6 months?
- Kidney
- Liver (Correct answer)
- Spleen
- Pancreas
Correct answer: Liver
Phenobarbital is hepatically metabolized and can cause hepatotoxicity with chronic use, so liver enzyme panels and bile acids should be monitored regularly.
Question 6: Which of the following is a reversal agent for benzodiazepine sedation?
- Naloxone
- Atipamezole
- Flumazenil (Correct answer)
- Yohimbine
Correct answer: Flumazenil
Flumazenil competitively antagonizes benzodiazepine receptors and can reverse sedation caused by diazepam or midazolam.
Question 7: Which nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) is approved for use in cats in the United States for acute pain management?
- Meloxicam (long-term)
- Robenacoxib (Correct answer)
- Carprofen
- Deracoxib
Correct answer: Robenacoxib
Robenacoxib (Onsior) is FDA-approved for short-term acute pain and inflammation in cats, while most other NSAIDs lack cat-specific approvals in the US.
VTNE Veterinary Pharmacology 2
Which opioid analgesic is most commonly used as a preanesthetic in dogs due to its sedative and analgesic properties?