Pharmacology Cheat Code

Question 1 What impacts drug response by changing number of receptors? A. Down regulation B. Receptor affinity C. Signal transduction D. Cell membrane fluidity Answer: A. Down regulation Explanation: Chronic agonist exposure reduces receptor numbers (downregulation), lowering the cell's response over time. --- Question 2 What type of medication is griseofulvin? A. Antiretroviral B. Antibacterial C. Antifungal D. Antiviral Answer: C. Antifungal Explanation: It disrupts fungal microtubule function, blocking mitosis; used for dermatophyte (ringworm) infections. --- Question 3 What term refers to the amount of drug at the site of action? A. Bioavailability B. Half-life C. Absorption D. Biopharmaceutics Answer: A. Bioavailability Explanation: It's the fraction of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged and available to act. --- Question 4 Rimantadine is used to treat or prevent: A. Influenza A B. Influenza B C. Measles D. Mumps Answer: A. Influenza A Explanation: It blocks the M2 ion channel, which only Influenza A possesses — Influenza B lacks this channel. --- Question 5 Diphenhydramine is classified as which type of drug? A. Antibiotic B. ACE inhibitor C. Antihistamine D. Antifungal Answer: C. Antihistamine Explanation: A first-generation H1 receptor blocker; sedating, used for allergies and as a sleep aid. --- Question 6 Dactinomycin is identified as which type of medication? A. Antifungal agent B. Alkylating agent C. Antimetabolite D. Antitumor antibiotic Answer: D. Antitumor antibiotic Explanation: It intercalates DNA and inhibits RNA polymerase; used in Wilms tumor and rhabdomyosarcoma. --- Question 7 What impacts oral absorption but not injectable bioavailability? A. Ionization B. First-pass metabolism C. P-glycoprotein transporters D. Lipophilicity Answer: B. First-pass metabolism Explanation: Oral drugs pass through the gut wall and liver before reaching systemic circulation; injected drugs bypass this step. --- Question 8 Fluconazole is used to treat which type of infections? A. Viral B. Protozoal C. Fungal D. Bacterial Answer: C. Fungal Explanation: A triazole antifungal that inhibits 14-α-demethylase, blocking ergosterol synthesis in fungal cell membranes. --- Question 9 Enzymatic metabolism that introduces reactive groups is called: A. First-pass effect B. Phase I metabolism C. Dealkylation D. Glucuronidation Answer: B. Phase I metabolism Explanation: Phase I reactions (oxidation, reduction, hydrolysis via CYP450) add or expose reactive groups, preparing the drug for Phase II conjugation. --- Question 10 Which medication is an antifungal in the polyene class? A. Fluconazole B. Amphotericin B C. Itraconazole D. Terbinafine Answer: B. Amphotericin B Explanation: Polyenes bind ergosterol in fungal membranes, forming pores that cause cell death; Amphotericin B is used for severe systemic mycoses. --- Question 11 What statement best describes pharmacodynamics? A. Drug transit in the body B. Biologic response to a drug C. Liver enzyme metabolism D. Route of administration Answer: B. Biologic response to a drug Explanation: Pharmacodynamics (PD) is "what the drug does to the body" — the mechanism and effect of a drug on its target. --- Question 12 Mercaptopurine is used to treat: A. Autoimmune disorders B. Cancer C. Tuberculosis D. Bacterial infections Answer: B. Cancer Explanation: A purine antimetabolite that interferes with DNA/RNA synthesis; used mainly in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL). --- Question 13 Which receptor type uses cAMP as a second messenger? A. GABA B. Nicotinic C. Glycine D. Adrenergic Answer: D. Adrenergic Explanation: Adrenergic receptors are G-protein coupled; beta-adrenergic activation raises cAMP via adenylyl cyclase. --- Question 14 Ganciclovir is used to treat infections caused by: A. Human immunodeficiency virus B. Hepatitis C virus C. Cytomegalovirus D. Hepatitis B virus Answer: C. Cytomegalovirus Explanation: A guanosine analog that inhibits viral DNA polymerase; the drug of choice for CMV, especially in immunocompromised patients. --- Question 15 What is the study of time course of drug absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion? A. Pharmacodynamics B. Pharmacokinetics C. Pharmacotherapeutics D. Pharmacogenetics Answer: B. Pharmacokinetics Explanation: Pharmacokinetics (PK) is "what the body does to the drug" — ADM E. --- Question 16 Vincristine is classified as a (an): A. Monoclonal antibody B. Alkylating agent C. Vinca alkaloid D. Taxane Answer: C. Vinca alkaloid Explanation: Binds tubulin, inhibiting microtubule formation and arresting mitosis; notable for causing peripheral neuropathy. --- Question 17 What antidiarrheal medication is an opioid agonist used to slow bowel movements? A. Sucralfate B. Polyethylene glycol C. Magnesium hydroxide D. Diphenoxylate Answer: D. Diphenoxylate Explanation: An opioid agonist acting on gut mu-receptors to slow peristalsis; combined with atropine (as in Lomotil) to deter abuse. --- Question 18 Which p