Pharmacology for Family Medicine: Master Drug Principles and Therapeutics

Question 1

Which of the following mechanisms of drug action involves a drug binding to a receptor and initiating a cellular response?

Accepted Answer

Agonism

Answer

Antagonism

Answer

Enzymatic inhibition

Answer

Hormone replacement

Question 2

A patient presents with an acute asthma attack. Which class of medications is most appropriate as initial treatment?

Accepted Answer

Beta-agonists

Answer

Antihistamines

Answer

Oral steroids

Answer

Expectorants

Question 3

Which of the following principles should guide medication selection when treating patients in family medicine?

Accepted Answer

Consider the patient's age, comorbidities, and preferences

Answer

Start with the most potent medication available

Answer

Use combination medications whenever possible

Answer

Avoid providing patient education about medications

Question 4

Which of the following enzymes is primarily responsible for drug metabolism in the liver?

Accepted Answer

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450)

Answer

Monoamine oxidase (MAO)

Answer

Alcohol dehydrogenase

Answer

Esterases

Question 5

Which core principle of rational prescribing involves customizing drug treatment to the specific traits of each patient?

Accepted Answer

Individualization

Answer

Empiricism

Answer

Cost-effectiveness

Answer

Prevention of drug interactions

Question 6

Which pathway is primarily responsible for drug metabolism?

Accepted Answer

Cytochrome P450 system

Answer

Phase I reactions

Answer

Phase II reactions

Question 7

Which statement accurately reflects a principle of pharmacology?

Accepted Answer

Drugs interact with targets in the body to elicit effects.

Answer

All drugs are inherently safe and efficacious.

Answer

Drug effects never vary with dose or route of administration.

Answer

Drug effects are always beneficial.

Question 8

Identify the factor that does NOT influence drug metabolism.

Accepted Answer

Circadian rhythm

Answer

Age

Answer

Liver function

Answer

Genetic predisposition

Question 9

Describe the mechanism of action of beta-blockers.

Accepted Answer

Blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors to inhibit epinephrine action.

Answer

Amplification of parasympathetic nervous system activity.

Answer

Inhibition of serotonin reuptake.

Answer

Activation of dopamine receptors.

Question 10

When selecting a medication for a patient with multiple comorbidities, which factor should be prioritized?

Accepted Answer

Potential for drug interactions

Answer

Patient age

Answer

Symptom severity

Answer

Medication cost

Question 11

What is a key advantage of using generic medications?

Accepted Answer

Typically lower cost compared to brand-name medications.

Answer

Superior efficacy compared to brand-name medications.

Answer

Fewer side effects compared to brand-name medications.

Answer

Greater convenience compared to brand-name medications.

Question 12

Which factor primarily determines the distribution of drugs that bind extensively to plasma proteins?

Accepted Answer

Plasma protein binding

Answer

Cardiac output

Answer

Tissue perfusion

Answer

Body fat content

Question 13

Which pharmacokinetic property is most important in determining how often an antibiotic should be given to maintain effective concentrations?

Accepted Answer

Half-life

Answer

Volume of distribution

Answer

Clearance

Answer

Bioavailability

Question 14

How does drug concentration impact the resulting effect?

Accepted Answer

The effect of a drug is directly proportional to its concentration.

Answer

As drug concentration increases, the effect decreases.

Answer

The effect of a drug is not influenced by its concentration.

Answer

The effect of a drug is inversely proportional to its concentration.

Question 15

Which of the following factors should NOT be considered when selecting a medication for a patient?

Accepted Answer

Patient's occupation

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Patient's genetic makeup

Answer

Patient's medical history

Question 16

A medication has a bioavailability of 50%. What does this mean?

Accepted Answer

Half of the medication will reach the bloodstream after administration

Answer

The medication will start working within 50 minutes

Answer

The medication is only 50% effective

Question 17

Atenolol is an example of which drug classification?

Accepted Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Proton pump inhibitor

Answer

Antibiotic

Answer

Anticoagulant

Question 18

When prescribing antibiotics to a patient with a penicillin allergy, which of the following must the provider be aware of?

Accepted Answer

Potential cross-reactivity with other antibiotics

Answer

The patient's blood pressure

Answer

The patient's height and weight

Answer

The patient's history of tobacco use

Question 19

Which route of drug administration allows for the most rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Transdermal

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Oral

Question 20

A common adverse effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) is:

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal bleeding

Answer

Skin rash

Answer

Blurred vision

Answer

Diarrhea

Question 21

The therapeutic index of a medication refers to:

Accepted Answer

The ratio between the toxic dose and the therapeutic dose

Answer

The maximum safe dose

Answer

The minimum effective dose

Question 22

Which of the following antibiotics is specifically effective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa?

Accepted Answer

Ciprofloxacin

Answer

Erythromycin

Answer

Tetracycline

Answer

Amoxicillin-clavulanate

Question 23

Which pharmacokinetic parameter refers to the rate of drug removal from the body?

Accepted Answer

Clearance

Answer

Volume of distribution

Answer

Time to peak concentration

Answer

Half-life

Question 24

Which route of drug administration provides the most rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Question 25

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with ACE inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Cough

Answer

Ototoxicity

Answer

Bleeding

Answer

Photosensitivity

Question 26

Which of the following factors does not influence the metabolism of drugs in the body?

Accepted Answer

Exercise

Answer

Genetic polymorphisms

Answer

Liver function

Answer

Age

Question 27

Which opioid receptor subtype is predominantly involved in mediating the analgesic effects of opioids?

Accepted Answer

µ-opioid receptor

Answer

ɛ-opioid receptor

Answer

κ-opioid receptor

Answer

δ-opioid receptor

Question 28

Which of the following mechanisms is not a primary mode of action of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of COX-3

Answer

Reduction of prostaglandin synthesis

Answer

Inhibition of COX-1

Answer

Inhibition of COX-2

Question 29

Which of the following medications is classified as a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI)?

Accepted Answer

Fluoxetine

Answer

Lamotrigine

Answer

Lithium

Answer

Clonidine

Question 30

Which class of drugs is most frequently employed for the treatment of Parkinson's disease?

Accepted Answer

Dopamine agonists

Answer

Benzodiazepines

Answer

Opioids

Answer

Anticholinergics

Question 31

Which principle is considered a cornerstone of rational prescribing?

Accepted Answer

Start with the lowest effective dose

Answer

Prescribe the maximum allowable dose

Answer

Use only brand-name drugs

Answer

Avoid using generic drugs

Question 32

Which of the following is a primary determinant of drug half-life?

Accepted Answer

Volume of distribution

Answer

Dosage form

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Route of administration

Question 33

Which of the following is a common adverse effect associated with the use of metformin?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acidosis

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Drowsiness

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential indication for corticosteroid use in family medicine?

Accepted Answer

Treatment of asthma exacerbations

Answer

Treatment of viral infections

Answer

Treatment of hypertension

Answer

Treatment of bacterial infections

Question 35

Which medication undergoes metabolism by the hepatic cytochrome P450 system?

Accepted Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Lithium

Answer

Digoxin

Question 36

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism of drug action?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of protein synthesis

Answer

Agonism

Answer

Antagonism

Answer

Competitive inhibition

Question 37

Which interaction between two drugs is most likely to result in reduced clearance of either or both drugs?

Accepted Answer

Competitive inhibition of metabolism

Answer

Antagonism

Answer

Pharmacodynamic interaction

Answer

Synergistic effect

Question 38

A common adverse effect associated with opioid analgesics is:

Accepted Answer

Constipation

Answer

Seizures

Answer

Tachycardia

Answer

Hypertension

Question 39

Which of the following medications belongs to the beta-blocker class?

Accepted Answer

Atenolol

Answer

Digoxin

Answer

Verapamil

Answer

Nitrates

Question 40

Which medication is an example of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Prednisone

Answer

Azathioprine

Answer

Methotrexate

Question 41

When treating hypertension, which medication class is typically considered as a first-line option?

Accepted Answer

ACE inhibitors

Answer

Beta-blockers

Answer

Diuretics

Answer

Calcium channel blockers

Question 42

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action by which non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) exert their pharmacological effects?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of cyclooxygenase enzymes

Answer

Stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors

Answer

Activation of opioid receptors

Answer

Blockade of muscarinic acetylcholine receptors

Question 43

Which of the following medications is classified as a beta-blocker?

Accepted Answer

Metoprolol

Answer

Warfarin

Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Aspirin

Question 44

Which route of drug administration results in the most rapid onset of action?

Accepted Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Transdermal

Answer

Intramuscular

Answer

Oral

Question 45

Which of the following classes of antibiotics is most commonly associated with ototoxicity as a potential adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Aminoglycosides

Answer

Penicillins

Answer

Fluoroquinolones

Question 46

Which of the following statements accurately describes the pharmacokinetic parameter known as volume of distribution?

Accepted Answer

It is a measure of the apparent volume of fluid into which a drug is distributed within the body

Answer

It remains constant regardless of the drug's concentration

Answer

It is always equivalent to the patient's total body water

Question 47

A patient presents with hypertension, and their healthcare provider prescribes a medication that works by blocking angiotensin II receptors. This drug most likely belongs to which of the following classes?

Accepted Answer

Angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB)

Answer

Diuretic

Answer

Beta-blocker

Answer

Calcium channel blocker

Question 48

A patient is prescribed a medication that inhibits the enzyme responsible for converting angiotensin I to angiotensin II. This drug most likely belongs to which of the following classes?

Accepted Answer

Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor

Answer

Direct renin inhibitor

Answer

Aldosterone antagonist

Question 49

A patient with a known history of penicillin allergy is prescribed an antibiotic to treat a bacterial infection. Based on this patient's allergy, which of the following antibiotics would be the most appropriate alternative?

Accepted Answer

Azithromycin

Answer

Cefazolin

Answer

Amoxicillin

Answer

Methicillin

Question 50

A patient taking a statin medication for hyperlipidemia develops muscle pain and weakness. Which of the following is the most likely cause of these symptoms?

Accepted Answer

Statin-induced myopathy

Answer

Viral infection

Answer

Dehydration

Answer

Exercise-induced muscle fatigue

Question 51

A patient who is taking an antidepressant medication is also prescribed an antibiotic. What is the most important consideration for the healthcare provider in this situation?

Accepted Answer

Potential drug-drug interactions

Answer

Allergic reactions

Answer

Increased risk of infection

Answer

Gastrointestinal upset

Question 52

A patient with diabetes is prescribed metformin. Which of the following is a potential side effect of this medication?

Accepted Answer

Lactic acidosis

Answer

Weight gain

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hypoglycemia

Question 53

A patient is taking warfarin for atrial fibrillation. Which of the following is the most important monitoring parameter?

Accepted Answer

International Normalized Ratio (INR)

Answer

Blood pressure

Answer

Blood glucose

Answer

Complete blood count