Antiviral Drugs Pharmacology: Learn About Antiviral Medications

Question 1

Which mechanism is primarily responsible for the antiviral effects of acyclovir and valacyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Interference with viral RNA polymerase

Answer

Prevention of viral attachment to host cells

Answer

Stimulation of the host's immune response

Question 2

Which of the following describes the mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits viral DNA replication by competing with viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Blocks the entry of viral particles into host cells by targeting viral glycoproteins

Answer

Stimulates the production of interferons to enhance the host immune response

Answer

Destroys viral particles directly by disrupting their structure

Question 3

Which of the following is a nucleoside analog antiviral drug?

Accepted Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Ritonavir

Answer

Saquinavir

Question 4

Which antiviral drug is specifically indicated for the treatment of influenza A and B infections?

Accepted Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Ritonavir

Answer

Saquinavir

Question 5

What is the primary target of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Viral genetic material (DNA or RNA)

Answer

Viral proteins

Answer

Host cell receptors

Answer

Host immune cells

Question 6

Which of the following is a key difference between acyclovir and oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

Spectrum of antiviral activity

Answer

Route of administration

Answer

Mechanism of resistance

Answer

Metabolic pathway

Question 7

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism by which viruses develop resistance to antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Suppression of host immune response

Answer

Mutation

Answer

Genetic recombination

Answer

Drug efflux

Question 8

Acyclovir is a commonly used antiviral medication. Which of the following viral infections is it specifically indicated for?

Accepted Answer

Herpes simplex virus (HSV)

Answer

Cytomegalovirus (CMV)

Answer

Influenza virus

Answer

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)

Question 9

Is the following statement true or false: Antiviral drugs can completely cure a viral infection?

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 10

Which of the following factors is NOT typically considered when selecting an appropriate antiviral drug for a patient?

Accepted Answer

Patient's personal preferences

Answer

Patient's age and overall health status

Answer

Specific type of viral infection being treated

Answer

Drug cost and potential side effects

Question 11

Which of the following viruses is generally NOT treated with antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Common cold virus

Answer

Influenza virus

Answer

HIV

Answer

Hepatitis B virus

Question 12

True or False: Antiviral drugs can be used to prevent viral infections before exposure to the virus.

Accepted Answer

False

Answer

True

Question 13

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibits viral RNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibits viral protein synthesis

Answer

Stimulates the immune system

Question 14

Which of the following viruses is NOT a target of antiviral medications?

Accepted Answer

Malaria parasite

Answer

HIV

Answer

Hepatitis B virus

Answer

Influenza virus

Question 15

Hemolytic anemia is a potential side effect associated with:

Accepted Answer

Ribavirin

Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Tenofovir

Question 16

What is the primary mode of transmission for hepatitis B virus?

Accepted Answer

Contact with infected blood or body fluids

Answer

Inhalation of aerosolized droplets

Answer

Ingestion of contaminated food or water

Answer

Contact with infected animals

Question 17

What is the fundamental difference between integrase inhibitors and non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs)?

Accepted Answer

Mechanism of action

Answer

Viral target

Answer

Spectrum of activity

Answer

Side effect profile

Question 18

Which of the following is an example of a prophylactic antiviral drug?

Accepted Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Valacyclovir

Answer

Tenofovir

Answer

Foscarnet

Question 19

Which antiviral drug is specifically used to treat infections caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV)?

Accepted Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Tenofovir

Question 20

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibits viral RNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibits viral uncoating

Answer

Inhibits viral assembly

Question 21

Which condition is a contraindication for the use of tenofovir disoproxil fumarate?

Accepted Answer

Severe kidney disease

Answer

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection

Answer

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection

Answer

Pregnancy

Question 22

What is the primary mechanism of action of amantadine in treating viral infections?

Accepted Answer

Blocking of viral M2 ion channel

Answer

Inhibition of viral neuraminidase enzyme

Answer

Inhibition of viral polymerase enzyme

Answer

Inhibition of viral protease enzyme

Question 23

How do nucleoside analogues, such as acyclovir and valacyclovir, primarily interfere with viral replication?

Accepted Answer

Block viral DNA synthesis

Answer

Block viral protein synthesis

Answer

Damage viral RNA genome

Answer

Boost host immune response

Question 24

Which of the following accurately describes the mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Selectively inhibits viral DNA replication by targeting viral DNA polymerase.

Answer

Inhibits viral RNA synthesis by interfering with RNA polymerase.

Answer

Blocks the uncoating of viral particles, preventing viral entry into host cells.

Answer

Interferes with viral protein synthesis by binding to viral ribosomes.

Question 25

Which of the following conditions is NOT a clinical application of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Pneumonia caused by bacteria

Answer

Influenza

Answer

HIV

Answer

Herpes simplex virus infection

Question 26

Which class of antiviral drugs targets the viral envelope?

Accepted Answer

Envelope fusion inhibitors

Answer

Nucleoside analogues

Answer

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Answer

Protease inhibitors

Question 27

Which of the following is a newer class of antiviral drugs used in the treatment of HIV?

Accepted Answer

Integrase inhibitors

Answer

Protease inhibitors

Answer

Nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Answer

Non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors

Question 28

Which of the following is a characteristic of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

High specificity for viral targets

Answer

Bacteriostatic action

Answer

Virucidal activity outside the host

Answer

Broad-spectrum activity against all viruses

Question 29

What is the mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibition of viral RNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibition of viral entry into cells

Answer

Stimulation of host immune response

Question 30

Which of the following is a typical clinical use of oseltamivir phosphate?

Accepted Answer

Treatment and prevention of influenza A and B in adults and children

Answer

Treatment of herpes simplex infections

Answer

Treatment of HIV infections

Answer

Prevention of malaria

Question 31

What is the primary route of administration for antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Topical

Answer

Subcutaneous

Question 32

Which of the following is the primary mechanism of action of acyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of viral DNA polymerase

Answer

Inactivation of viral protease

Answer

Interference with viral uncoating

Answer

Promotion of viral RNA synthesis

Question 33

Which of the following is NOT an indication for the use of oseltamivir?

Accepted Answer

Treatment of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infections

Answer

Treatment of influenza A and B in uncomplicated cases

Answer

Prevention of influenza A and B in high-risk individuals

Question 34

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect of valacyclovir?

Accepted Answer

Neurotoxicity (especially in patients with impaired renal function)

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Anaphylaxis

Answer

Aplastic anemia

Question 35

Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of ribavirin?

Accepted Answer

Pregnancy (due to potential teratogenicity)

Answer

Mild hepatic impairment

Answer

Renal impairment (creatinine clearance <50 mL/min)

Answer

Age under 18 years

Question 36

Which of the following antiviral drugs is used to treat hepatitis C?

Accepted Answer

Sofosbuvir

Answer

Ribavirin

Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Acyclovir

Question 37

Which of the following is a key factor to consider when selecting an antiviral drug for a patient?

Accepted Answer

Type of viral infection, stage of the infection, patient's overall health, and drug resistance patterns

Answer

Cost of the drug

Answer

Availability of the drug

Answer

Patient's age and weight

Question 38

Which of the following is a limitation of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

May not be effective against all strains of a virus, may have adverse effects, and may be expensive

Answer

Can only be administered intravenously

Answer

Are not suitable for long-term use

Question 39

Which of the following is a key concept in the development of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Structure-activity relationships, which help identify the molecular targets of antiviral drugs

Answer

Pharmacodynamics

Answer

Drug interactions

Answer

Pharmacokinetics

Question 40

Which of the following is a potential side effect of antiviral medications?

Accepted Answer

Liver damage (hepatotoxicity)

Answer

Increased susceptibility to bacterial infections

Answer

Enhanced immune function

Question 41

For acyclovir, which route of administration is primarily utilized?

Accepted Answer

Oral or Intravenous (IV)

Answer

Topical only

Answer

Intramuscular (IM) only

Answer

Inhalation only

Question 42

Among the factors influencing the selection of antiviral therapy, which one is not considered?

Accepted Answer

Patient's occupation

Answer

Patient's immune status

Answer

Viral pathogen

Answer

Stage of infection

Question 43

Regarding antiviral resistance, which statement is accurate?

Accepted Answer

Resistance can emerge rapidly, particularly in viruses like herpes simplex virus and influenza virus, due to mutations in the drug target site.

Answer

Resistance is easily overcome by increasing the dosage of the antiviral drug.

Answer

Resistance is typically a result of increased drug dosage.

Question 44

What is the primary indication for ribavirin use?

Accepted Answer

Treatment of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection

Answer

Treatment of HIV infection

Answer

Prevention of influenza

Answer

Treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection

Question 45

For the treatment of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infections, which antiviral drug is commonly employed?

Accepted Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Amantadine

Answer

Zidovudine

Answer

Ribavirin

Question 46

What is the primary target of oseltamivir, an antiviral drug used to treat influenza?

Accepted Answer

Neuraminidase

Answer

Protease

Answer

Integrase

Answer

Reverse transcriptase

Question 47

When considering antiviral drug administration, which patient-specific factors are crucial to assess?

Accepted Answer

Viral load and immune status

Answer

Gender and socioeconomic status

Answer

Height and weight

Answer

Age and ethnicity

Question 48

Which antiviral drug is commonly used in the treatment of HIV infection?

Accepted Answer

Tenofovir

Answer

Acyclovir

Answer

Oseltamivir

Answer

Valacyclovir

Question 49

What is the predominant route of administration for majority of antiviral drugs?

Accepted Answer

Oral

Answer

Subcutaneous

Answer

Intravenous

Answer

Intramuscular

Question 50

For optimal effectiveness, when is the ideal time to initiate antiviral drug therapy?

Accepted Answer

As early as possible after viral infection

Answer

Once the immune system has mounted a significant response

Answer

When symptoms are at their peak

Answer

After viral replication has reached its maximum