Comprehensive Pharmacology Exam: Questions and Answers with Rationale

This document presents a series of multiple-choice questions related to pharmacology, covering various topics such as drug dosing, drug interactions, pain management, antibiotic therapy, and respiratory treatments. The questions address specific clinical scenarios, requiring an understanding of appropriate medication choices, potential adverse effects, and patient-specific considerations. Topics include azithromycin dosing, pain management strategies for elderly patients, treatment of pediatric fevers and UTIs, antibiotic selection during pregnancy, management of glaucoma and fungal infections, and the use of medications for asthma and upper respiratory infections. The answers provided offer insights into the rationale behind the correct choices, highlighting key pharmacological principles and clinical guidelines. Desklib is a valuable resource for students seeking past papers and solved assignments to enhance their understanding of these concepts.

Question 1 (1 point)
Azithromycin dosing requires the first day’s dose be twice those of the other
4 days of the prescription. This is considered a loading dose. A loading dose:
Question 1 options:
A) Rapidly achieves drug levels in the therapeutic range
B) Requires four to five half-lives to attain
C) Is influenced by renal function
D) Is directly related to the drug circulating to the target tissues
- Answer D
Question 2 (1 point)
Brad was diagnosed with an acute midshaft radial/ulnar fracture. He was
prescribed Hydrocodone in the emergency room, and Tramadol by the
orthopedic physician, He states has been taking both of the medications, It
this situation, two different pain meds are given together for pain relief. The
drug-drug interaction is:
Question 2 options:
A) Synergistic
B) Antagonistic
C) Potentiative
D) Additive
- Answer A
Question 3 (1 point)
Delta is an 88-year-old who has mild low back pain. What guidelines should
be followed when prescribing pain management for Delta?
Question 3 options:
A) Keep the dose of oxycodone low to prevent development of tolerance
B) Acetaminophen is the first-line drug of choice
C) Avoid prescribing NSAIDs
D) Add in a short-acting benzodiazepine for a synergistic effect on pain
- Answer B

Question 4 (1 point)
Jamie is a 5 month-old breastfed infant with a fever. Treatment for her fever
may include:
Question 4 options:
A) “Baby” aspirin
B) Acetaminophen suppository
C) Ibuprofen suppository
D) Alternating acetaminophen and ibuprofen
Answer D
Question 5 (1 point)
Dysmennorhea is one of the most common gynecological complaints in
young women. The first line of drug treatment for this disorder is:
Question 5 options:
A) Oral contraceptive pills
B) Caffeine
C) NSAIDs
D) Aspirin
Answer- C
Question 1 (1 point)
Nicole is a 4-year-old female with a febrile urinary tract infection. She is
generally healthy and has no drug allergies. Appropriate initial therapy for
her UTI would be:
Question 1 options:
A) Azithromycin
B) Trimethoprim/sulfamethoxazole
C) Ceftriaxone
D) Ciprofloxacin
Answer is C

Question 2 (1 point)
Samantha is 34 weeks pregnant and has been diagnosed with pneumonia. She
is stable enough to be treated as an outpatient. What would be an appropriate
antibiotic to prescribe?
Question 2 options:
A) Levofloxacin
B) Azithromycin
C) Amoxicillin
D) Doxycycline
Answer D
Question 3 (1 point)
Sadie was prescribed betaxolol ophthalmic drops by her ophthalmologist to
treat her glaucoma. Oral beta blockers should be avoided in patients who use
ophthalmic beta blockers due to:
Question 3 options:
A) There may be an antagonistic reaction between the two
B) The additive effects may include bradycardia
C) They may potentiate each other and cause respiratory depression
D) The additive effects may cause metabolic acidosis
Answer A
Question 4 (1 point)
Nicholas is a football player who presents to clinic with athlete’s foot.
Patients with tinea pedis may be treated with:Question 4 options:
A) OTC miconazole cream for 4 weeks
B) Oral ketoconazole for 6 weeks
C) Mupirocin ointment for 2 weeks
D) Nystatin cream for 2 weeks
Answer B

Question 5 (1 point)
Erik presents with one golden-crusted lesion at the site of an insect bite
consistent with impetigo. His parents have limited finances and request the
least expensive treatment. Which medication would be the best choice for
treatment?
Question 5 options:
A) Mupirocin (Bactroban)
B) Bacitracin and polymixin B (generic double antibiotic ointment)
C) Retapamulin (Altabax)
D) Oral cephalexin (Keflex)
Answer B
Question 1 (1 point)
Long-acting beta-agonists (LTBAs) received a Black Box warning from the
U.S. Food and Drug Administration due to the:
Question 1 options:
A) Risk of life-threatening dermatological reactions
B) Increased incidence of cardiac events when LTBAs are used
C) Increased risk of asthma-related deaths when LTBAs are used
D) Risk for life-threatening alterations in electrolytes
Answer C
Question 2 (1 point)
Martin is a 60 year old with hypertension. The first-line decongestant to
prescribe would be:
Question 2 options:
A) Oral pseudoephedrine
B) Oral phenylephrine
C) Nasal oxymetazoline

D) Nasal azelastine
Answer D, the rest are decongestants which tend to increase the BP
Question 3 (1 point)
In children age 5 to 11 years mild-persistent asthma is diagnosed when
asthma symptoms occur:
Question 3 options:
A) At nighttime one to two times a month
B) At nighttime three to four times a month
C) Less than twice a week
D) Daily
Answer B
Question 4 (1 point)
Caleb is an adult with an upper respiratory infection (URI). Treatment for his
URI would include:
Question 4 options:
A) Amoxicillin
B) Diphenhydramine
C) Phenylpropanolamine
D) Topical oxymetazoline
Answer A
Question 5 (1 point)
Patients who should be cautious about using decongestants for an upper
respiratory infection include:
Question 5 options:
A) School-age children
B) Patients with asthma
C) Patients with cardiac disease
D) Patients with allergies
Answer C