CRE CRE Pharmacology & Medications 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which class of medications is the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm in asthma?
- Corticosteroids
- Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) (Correct answer)
- Anticholinergics
- Leukotriene modifiers
Correct answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
Short-acting beta-2 agonists like albuterol are the standard rescue medications for acute bronchospasm due to their rapid bronchodilation onset.
Question 2: Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) are primarily used in asthma and COPD to:
- Produce immediate bronchodilation
- Reduce airway inflammation (Correct answer)
- Thin mucus secretions
- Suppress the cough reflex
Correct answer: Reduce airway inflammation
Inhaled corticosteroids are anti-inflammatory maintenance medications, not rescue agents, and do not produce acute bronchodilation.
Question 3: A patient using a metered-dose inhaler (MDI) should wait how long between puffs to ensure proper drug delivery?
- 10 seconds
- 30 seconds to 1 minute (Correct answer)
- 5 minutes
- 10 minutes
Correct answer: 30 seconds to 1 minute
Waiting 30–60 seconds between MDI puffs allows adequate time for the aerosol to settle and the propellant to disperse before the next dose.
Question 4: Which bronchodilator class reduces bronchoconstriction by blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways?
- Beta-2 agonists
- Methylxanthines
- Anticholinergics (Correct answer)
- Corticosteroids
Correct answer: Anticholinergics
Anticholinergic agents like ipratropium block muscarinic receptors, inhibiting the parasympathetic bronchoconstriction pathway.
Question 5: Theophylline belongs to which pharmacological class of bronchodilators?
- Beta-2 agonists
- Methylxanthines (Correct answer)
- Anticholinergics
- Mast cell stabilizers
Correct answer: Methylxanthines
Theophylline is a methylxanthine that inhibits phosphodiesterase, raising intracellular cAMP levels to cause bronchodilation.
Question 6: What is the primary mechanism of action of montelukast (Singulair) in asthma management?
- Beta-2 receptor agonism
- Leukotriene receptor antagonism (Correct answer)
- Mast cell membrane stabilization
- Phosphodiesterase inhibition
Correct answer: Leukotriene receptor antagonism
Montelukast blocks cysteinyl leukotriene receptors, reducing bronchoconstriction and airway inflammation triggered by leukotrienes.
CRE CRE Pharmacology & Medications 1
Which class of medications is the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm in asthma?