Pharmacology

What route of medication administration provides the lowest serum drug concentration?

Enteral administration is less efficient due to first-pass metabolism.

What is critical for achieving therapeutic drug concentration in plasma?

Absorption is essential for drug effectiveness.

Which route should albuterol be administered in an asthma emergency?

Inhalation provides rapid delivery to the lungs.

How is the apparent volume of drug distribution calculated?

It is based on peak plasma concentration and dose.

Which medication is likely therapeutic for a patient with end-stage liver disease?

Epinephrine is less affected by liver function.

How long does it take for a medication to reach 90% of its steady state level?

It typically takes about 4-5 half-lives.

What is the function of P-glycoprotein?

It pumps drugs out of cells to reduce absorption.

How is bioavailability calculated for a medication?

It is the fraction of the drug that reaches systemic circulation.

What reaction is necessary for increased heart rate after epinephrine administration?

Drug-receptor complex formation triggers the response.

What mechanism causes insulin's intracellular effects?

Protein and receptor phosphorylation mediate its action.

What does a large therapeutic index indicate?

It suggests a wider margin of safety for the drug.

What drug administration scheme provides steady state over two weeks?

Continuous IV infusion maintains consistent drug levels.

Which route of administration is preferred for a patient with hemorrhoids?

Rectal administration targets the affected area directly.

What explains elevated drug levels in a jaundiced patient?

Continuous IV infusion can lead to accumulation in liver impairment.

How many half-lives until 90% of a drug is excreted?

It takes about 3-4 half-lives for significant elimination.

What type of drug binds to a receptor and mimics the endogenous ligand?

An agonist activates the receptor to produce a response.

What is the most appropriate treatment for a patient with dysuria and renal insufficiency?

Gentamicin is effective against pan-sensitive E. coli.

What is the standard margin of safety for a medication causing seizures?

It is calculated based on the ratio of effective to toxic doses.

Which CYP enzyme is most abundant in human livers?

CYP3A4 metabolizes a large number of drugs.

Which organelle is isolated to study CYP enzymes?

Smooth endoplasmic reticulum contains drug-metabolizing enzymes.

What describes a step of drug metabolism?

Acetaminophen glucuronidation is a metabolic process.

What type of adverse drug reaction is constipation from codeine similar to?

It resembles other opioid-related side effects.

What percentage of ibuprofen remains after 4 hours?

12.5% remains after two half-lives.

What characteristic aids a drug's diffusion across membranes?

Being a weak base with a pKa of 7 enhances permeability.

Why is bicarbonate given for amitriptyline overdose?

It ion traps the drug in urine to enhance elimination.

Which metabolic reaction is likely intact in elderly patients?

Glucuronidation remains effective despite aging.