Pharmacology and Medication Actions Flashcards
6 cards from real CMT practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 6 Pharmacology and Medication Actions flashcards as text
A medication's 'half-life' refers to:
Answer: The time required for half the drug to be eliminated from the body
Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to decrease by 50% through metabolism and elimination.
Which class of medications is commonly used to lower blood pressure by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors?
Answer: Beta-blockers
Beta-blockers reduce blood pressure and heart rate by blocking the effects of epinephrine on beta-adrenergic receptors.
An adverse effect of opioid analgesics that requires monitoring is:
Answer: Respiratory depression
Respiratory depression is the most dangerous adverse effect of opioid medications and requires ongoing monitoring of respiratory rate and depth.
Antibiotics should ideally be administered:
Answer: At evenly spaced intervals to maintain consistent blood levels
Antibiotics should be given at evenly spaced intervals (e.g., every 6 hours for QID) to maintain consistent therapeutic blood levels.
The term 'drug interaction' refers to:
Answer: The effect one drug has on the action of another drug when taken concurrently
Drug interactions occur when one medication alters the effect of another, potentially increasing toxicity or decreasing efficacy.
Which medication class requires monitoring of blood potassium levels?
Answer: Loop diuretics
Loop diuretics (furosemide, bumetanide) cause potassium excretion in the urine, requiring regular monitoring of serum potassium levels.