PTCB Pharmacology #3 — Questions and Answers

Question 1: Which of the following drugs has the brand name Zoloft?

Diltiazem
Sucralfate
Sertraline (Correct answer)
Benazepril

Correct answer: Sertraline

Zoloft is a widely recognized brand name for the antidepressant medication sertraline. Sertraline belongs to the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs) and is commonly prescribed to treat various conditions, including depression, anxiety disorders, and obsessive-compulsive disorder. Pharmacy technicians must be familiar with both brand and generic names for accurate dispensing.

Question 2: Which of the following is a condition for which Zolpidem is prescribed?

Insomia (Correct answer)
Pain
Depression
Anxiety

Correct answer: Insomia

Zolpidem is a sedative-hypnotic medication primarily prescribed for the short-term treatment of insomnia. It works by affecting certain brain chemicals to induce a calming effect, helping individuals fall asleep more easily and maintain sleep. Due to its potential for dependence, it is typically used for a limited duration.

Question 3: A beta-blocker is defined as which of the following medications?

Hydrochlorothiazide
Lisinopril
Sertraline
Carvedilol (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Carvedilol

Carvedilol is classified as a beta-blocker, a class of medications used to manage various cardiovascular conditions. Beta-blockers work by blocking the effects of adrenaline, which helps to slow the heart rate, relax blood vessels, and reduce blood pressure. This makes carvedilol effective in treating conditions like hypertension, angina, and heart failure.

Question 4: Which pharmaceutical class does a drug with the suffix "-pril" belong to?

ACE inhibitors (Correct answer)
ARBs
ARBs
Diuretics

Correct answer: ACE inhibitors

Drugs with the suffix "-pril" are characteristic of the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitor class. These medications are widely prescribed for treating hypertension (high blood pressure) and heart failure. They work by blocking the enzyme that converts angiotensin I to angiotensin II, a potent vasoconstrictor, thereby relaxing blood vessels and lowering blood pressure.

Question 5: Which pharmacologic category do Tamiflu, Relenza, and Rapivab belong to?

Antiprotozoal
Antiviral (Correct answer)
Antidiarrheal
Antibiotic

Correct answer: Antiviral

Tamiflu (oseltamivir), Relenza (zanamivir), and Rapivab (peramivir) are all medications that belong to the antiviral pharmacologic category. Specifically, they are neuraminidase inhibitors used to treat or prevent influenza (the flu) by inhibiting the virus's ability to replicate and spread. Antivirals target specific viral processes, distinguishing them from antibiotics which target bacteria.

Question 6: In the therapy of _______, protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors can be employed.

Influenza
HIV/AIDS (Correct answer)
Hepatitis
Herpes

Correct answer: HIV/AIDS

Protease inhibitors, integrase inhibitors, and nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs) are all classes of antiretroviral drugs. These medications are specifically employed in the therapy of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS). They work by targeting different stages of the HIV life cycle to reduce viral load and improve immune function.

Question 7: Which of the following ocular conditions is treated with latanoprost?

Macular degeneration
Conjunctivitis
Corneal abrasion
Glaucoma (Correct answer)

Correct answer: Glaucoma

Latanoprost is a prostaglandin analog primarily used to treat glaucoma, a condition characterized by increased pressure inside the eye (intraocular pressure). It works by increasing the outflow of aqueous humor from the eye, thereby reducing intraocular pressure and helping to prevent damage to the optic nerve. This medication is typically administered as eye drops.

Question 8: An H2 receptor antagonist is which of the following medications?

Omeprazole
Lansoprazole
Cimetidine (Correct answer)
Sucralfate

Correct answer: Cimetidine

Cimetidine is an H2 receptor antagonist, a class of drugs that significantly reduce the production of stomach acid. It works by blocking histamine's action on H2 receptors in the stomach lining, which are responsible for stimulating acid secretion. This makes it effective in treating conditions like heartburn, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), and peptic ulcers.

Question 9: Which of the following foods can impact warfarin levels?

Dairy products
Leafy greens (Correct answer)
Water
Soda

Correct answer: Leafy greens

Leafy green vegetables, such as spinach, kale, and collard greens, are rich in Vitamin K. Vitamin K plays a crucial role in blood clotting, and consuming large or inconsistent amounts can significantly impact the effectiveness of warfarin. Warfarin is an anticoagulant that works by interfering with Vitamin K's role in clotting, so dietary consistency is vital for maintaining stable warfarin levels.

Question 10: A therapeutically similar drug must have the same potency, dose form, administration route, and ______?

Active and Inactive ingredients
Active ingredients (Correct answer)
Inactive ingredients
Color and Size

Correct answer: Active ingredients

For a drug to be considered therapeutically similar, it must contain the same active ingredients as the reference drug. While other factors like potency, dose form, and administration route are important for bioequivalence, the active ingredient is the core component responsible for the drug's therapeutic effect. This ensures that a generic version will have the same clinical effect as the brand-name drug.

Question 11: The triptan drug class is used to treat which of the following conditions?

Hypertension
GERD
Migraine headaches (Correct answer)
Epilepsy

Correct answer: Migraine headaches

The triptan drug class, which includes medications like sumatriptan and zolmitriptan, is specifically used to treat acute migraine headaches. Triptans work by activating serotonin receptors in the brain, which helps to constrict dilated blood vessels and block pain pathways associated with migraines. They are typically used for relieving symptoms once a migraine has started, rather than for prevention.

Question 12: [Duramorph (morphine sulfate injection, USP) 10mg/10ml] Mrs. Santos needs Duramorph 6mg IV every four hours to relieve her discomfort. How much water would the patient drink on a daily basis?

16 ml
36 ml (Correct answer)
24 ml
6 ml

Correct answer: 36 ml

The patient needs 6mg of Duramorph every four hours. Given the concentration of 10mg/10ml (which simplifies to 1mg/ml), each 6mg dose requires 6ml. Since the medication is administered every four hours, there are 6 doses in a 24-hour period (24 hours / 4 hours = 6 doses). Therefore, the total daily volume is 6ml/dose * 6 doses/day = 36ml.

Question 13: How many days does metronidazole vaginal gel 70 g, Sig 5 g b.i.d last?

10 days
3 days
5 days
7 days (Correct answer)

Correct answer: 7 days

The patient is prescribed metronidazole vaginal gel 70g, with a dosage of 5g b.i.d (twice a day). This means the patient uses 5g in the morning and 5g in the evening, totaling 10g per day. To determine how many days the 70g supply will last, divide the total quantity by the daily usage: 70g / 10g/day = 7 days.

Question 14: Mr. Vasquez requires Ativan 1mg IM stat for severe agitation. [Ativan (lorazepam) Injection 4mg/ml] How much liquid will be administered?

0.25 ml (Correct answer)
0.5 ml
25 ml
0.3 ml

Correct answer: 0.25 ml

Mr. Vasquez requires Ativan 1mg IM. The available concentration of Ativan injection is 4mg/ml. To calculate the volume to administer, divide the desired dose by the available concentration: (1mg / 4mg/ml) = 0.25 ml. This ensures the correct dosage is given.

Question 15: [Codeine Phosphate injection, USP 30mg, 1/2 gr per ml] Your doctor prescribes codeine gr ss subcutaneous q4h for pain management after a lumber laminectomy. How many milliliters are you going to use?

1000 ml
1 ml (Correct answer)
100 ml
10 ml

Correct answer: 1 ml

The doctor prescribes codeine gr ss (half a grain). Since 1 grain (gr) is equivalent to 60mg, half a grain (gr ss) is 30mg. The available concentration of Codeine Phosphate injection is 30mg per ml. Therefore, to administer 30mg, you would use 1 ml of the solution.

Question 16: [Atropine (sulfate injectable, USP) 0.4 mg/ml] Atropine 0.2 mg IM is prescribed at 0730. How much liquid will be administered?

4 ml
0.5 ml (Correct answer)
5 ml
2 ml

Correct answer: 0.5 ml

The prescription is for Atropine 0.2 mg IM. The available concentration of Atropine sulfate injectable is 0.4 mg/ml. To calculate the volume to administer, divide the desired dose by the concentration: (0.2 mg / 0.4 mg/ml) = 0.5 ml. This ensures accurate dosing.

PTCB Pharmacology #3

Which of the following drugs has the brand name Zoloft?