PYB159 Exam Prep UPDATED ACTUAL
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the primary learning objectives of the Week 1 lecture in Drug & Alcohol Studies? -
CORRECT ANSWER To understand the main types of drugs used in Australia, their
associated actions and harms, and the prevalence of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use in
the country.
What factors influence the effect a drug has on an individual? - CORRECT
ANSWER Factors include the individual (age, gender, health, expectations), the drug
(method of use, amount, frequency, history, interactions), and the environment (social
factors).
What is pharmacokinetics? - CORRECT ANSWER Pharmacokinetics is described as
'what the body does to the drug,' covering its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion.
What are the different routes of drug absorption mentioned in the lecture? - CORRECT
ANSWER Routes include absorption via the skin, orally, smoked, and intravenously
(IV).
What is the significance of intravenous drug use according to the lecture? - CORRECT
ANSWER Intravenous drug use is considered more harmful due to its rapid delivery
and high concentration in the bloodstream.
What is pharmacodynamics? - CORRECT ANSWER Pharmacodynamics is described
as 'what the drug does to the body,' focusing on the biochemistry, pharmacology, and effects
of the drug.
What is drug dependence/neuroadaptation? - CORRECT ANSWER It can occur after
continual use and includes social, psychological, and physical aspects.
,What is drug tolerance? - CORRECT ANSWER Drug tolerance occurs when a
dependent individual feels less effect from the drug, requiring more to achieve the desired
effects.
What are drug withdrawal symptoms? - CORRECT ANSWER Symptoms that occur
upon cessation of a drug when physically dependent; they generally have the opposite effect
of the drug.
What is cross-dependence? - CORRECT ANSWER Cross-dependence is when one
substance can substitute for another to maintain physical dependence and avoid withdrawal.
What is the agonist effect in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER The agonist effect
increases or stimulates the action of a neurotransmitter.
What is the antagonist effect in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER The antagonist
effect decreases or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.
What role does dopamine play in drug effects? - CORRECT ANSWER Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure.
What is half-life in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER Half-life is the time it takes
for the drug concentration in the blood to reduce by 50%.
How do drugs with shorter half-lives affect usage patterns? - CORRECT
ANSWER Drugs with shorter half-lives, like cocaine and nicotine, are more likely to
be used again sooner.
What are the three main classes of drugs based on their effects? - CORRECT
ANSWER The three classes are depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
What are examples of depressants? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include Alcohol,
Heroin, Benzodiazepines, and volatile substances.
,What are examples of stimulants? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include Nicotine,
Caffeine, Amphetamines, and Cocaine.
What are examples of hallucinogens? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include LSD
and Magic mushrooms.
What is a unique characteristic of Cannabis and Ecstasy? - CORRECT ANSWER They
can have a combination of effects.
What immediate effects does Cannabis have on the body? - CORRECT
ANSWER Immediate effects include intoxication, loss of coordination and
concentration, increased appetite, reddened eyes, anxiety or panic, hallucinations, paranoia,
and confusion.
What is the primary active ingredient in Cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary active ingredient.
How does THC affect the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER THC binds to cannabinoid
receptors and disrupts normal functioning in areas like the cerebellum, hippocampus, and
cerebral cortex.
What are some long-term health effects of smoking tobacco? - CORRECT
ANSWER Smoking tobacco has serious long-term health effects, despite potential
short-term memory improvements.
What health risks are associated with long-term heavy use of certain substances? -
CORRECT ANSWER Health risks include bronchitis, lung cancer, respiratory disease,
reduced sperm count, irregular menstrual cycles, loss of concentration, memory, learning
abilities, and potential 'amotivational syndrome'.
What is 'amotivational syndrome'? - CORRECT ANSWER It involves loss of interest
in activities, lack of energy, boredom, and decreased sex drive.
, What are some severe effects of substance use that can occur, though the causal link is
uncertain? - CORRECT ANSWER Severe psychotic behavior.
What is the regulatory framework for medicinal cannabis in Australia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Established in November 2016, with significant prescription increases since
2019, particularly in Queensland.
What are the two pathways for prescribing medicinal cannabis in Australia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Authorized providers or the TGA Special Access Scheme on a case-by-case
basis.
What are the primary reasons for prescribing medicinal cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER For pain (61%), anxiety (16%), and sleep disorders (5.7%).
What conditions might medicinal cannabis be suitable for, according to limited scientific
evidence? - CORRECT ANSWER Severe muscular spasms in multiple sclerosis,
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, severe epilepsy types, palliative care, and
chronic non-cancer pain.
What are the risks associated with medicinal cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER Potential for misuse/inappropriate prescription and risks like psychosis.
How do opioids provide pain relief? - CORRECT ANSWER They act on opioid
receptors linked to endorphins and also affect dopamine for reward effects.
What are common effects of opioids? - CORRECT ANSWER Feelings of well-being
or euphoria, pinpoint pupils, sedation, shallow breathing, nausea, and vomiting.
What are some long-term effects of opioid use? - CORRECT ANSWER Tremors, loss
of sense of smell and hearing, blood production problems, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle
damage, liver and kidney damage, and psychological effects such as confusion.
QUESTIONS AND CORRECT ANSWERS
What are the primary learning objectives of the Week 1 lecture in Drug & Alcohol Studies? -
CORRECT ANSWER To understand the main types of drugs used in Australia, their
associated actions and harms, and the prevalence of Alcohol and Other Drug (AOD) use in
the country.
What factors influence the effect a drug has on an individual? - CORRECT
ANSWER Factors include the individual (age, gender, health, expectations), the drug
(method of use, amount, frequency, history, interactions), and the environment (social
factors).
What is pharmacokinetics? - CORRECT ANSWER Pharmacokinetics is described as
'what the body does to the drug,' covering its absorption, distribution, metabolism, and
excretion.
What are the different routes of drug absorption mentioned in the lecture? - CORRECT
ANSWER Routes include absorption via the skin, orally, smoked, and intravenously
(IV).
What is the significance of intravenous drug use according to the lecture? - CORRECT
ANSWER Intravenous drug use is considered more harmful due to its rapid delivery
and high concentration in the bloodstream.
What is pharmacodynamics? - CORRECT ANSWER Pharmacodynamics is described
as 'what the drug does to the body,' focusing on the biochemistry, pharmacology, and effects
of the drug.
What is drug dependence/neuroadaptation? - CORRECT ANSWER It can occur after
continual use and includes social, psychological, and physical aspects.
,What is drug tolerance? - CORRECT ANSWER Drug tolerance occurs when a
dependent individual feels less effect from the drug, requiring more to achieve the desired
effects.
What are drug withdrawal symptoms? - CORRECT ANSWER Symptoms that occur
upon cessation of a drug when physically dependent; they generally have the opposite effect
of the drug.
What is cross-dependence? - CORRECT ANSWER Cross-dependence is when one
substance can substitute for another to maintain physical dependence and avoid withdrawal.
What is the agonist effect in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER The agonist effect
increases or stimulates the action of a neurotransmitter.
What is the antagonist effect in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER The antagonist
effect decreases or inhibits the action of a neurotransmitter.
What role does dopamine play in drug effects? - CORRECT ANSWER Dopamine is a
neurotransmitter associated with reward and pleasure.
What is half-life in pharmacology? - CORRECT ANSWER Half-life is the time it takes
for the drug concentration in the blood to reduce by 50%.
How do drugs with shorter half-lives affect usage patterns? - CORRECT
ANSWER Drugs with shorter half-lives, like cocaine and nicotine, are more likely to
be used again sooner.
What are the three main classes of drugs based on their effects? - CORRECT
ANSWER The three classes are depressants, stimulants, and hallucinogens.
What are examples of depressants? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include Alcohol,
Heroin, Benzodiazepines, and volatile substances.
,What are examples of stimulants? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include Nicotine,
Caffeine, Amphetamines, and Cocaine.
What are examples of hallucinogens? - CORRECT ANSWER Examples include LSD
and Magic mushrooms.
What is a unique characteristic of Cannabis and Ecstasy? - CORRECT ANSWER They
can have a combination of effects.
What immediate effects does Cannabis have on the body? - CORRECT
ANSWER Immediate effects include intoxication, loss of coordination and
concentration, increased appetite, reddened eyes, anxiety or panic, hallucinations, paranoia,
and confusion.
What is the primary active ingredient in Cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the primary active ingredient.
How does THC affect the brain? - CORRECT ANSWER THC binds to cannabinoid
receptors and disrupts normal functioning in areas like the cerebellum, hippocampus, and
cerebral cortex.
What are some long-term health effects of smoking tobacco? - CORRECT
ANSWER Smoking tobacco has serious long-term health effects, despite potential
short-term memory improvements.
What health risks are associated with long-term heavy use of certain substances? -
CORRECT ANSWER Health risks include bronchitis, lung cancer, respiratory disease,
reduced sperm count, irregular menstrual cycles, loss of concentration, memory, learning
abilities, and potential 'amotivational syndrome'.
What is 'amotivational syndrome'? - CORRECT ANSWER It involves loss of interest
in activities, lack of energy, boredom, and decreased sex drive.
, What are some severe effects of substance use that can occur, though the causal link is
uncertain? - CORRECT ANSWER Severe psychotic behavior.
What is the regulatory framework for medicinal cannabis in Australia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Established in November 2016, with significant prescription increases since
2019, particularly in Queensland.
What are the two pathways for prescribing medicinal cannabis in Australia? - CORRECT
ANSWER Authorized providers or the TGA Special Access Scheme on a case-by-case
basis.
What are the primary reasons for prescribing medicinal cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER For pain (61%), anxiety (16%), and sleep disorders (5.7%).
What conditions might medicinal cannabis be suitable for, according to limited scientific
evidence? - CORRECT ANSWER Severe muscular spasms in multiple sclerosis,
chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting, severe epilepsy types, palliative care, and
chronic non-cancer pain.
What are the risks associated with medicinal cannabis? - CORRECT
ANSWER Potential for misuse/inappropriate prescription and risks like psychosis.
How do opioids provide pain relief? - CORRECT ANSWER They act on opioid
receptors linked to endorphins and also affect dopamine for reward effects.
What are common effects of opioids? - CORRECT ANSWER Feelings of well-being
or euphoria, pinpoint pupils, sedation, shallow breathing, nausea, and vomiting.
What are some long-term effects of opioid use? - CORRECT ANSWER Tremors, loss
of sense of smell and hearing, blood production problems, irregular heartbeat, heart muscle
damage, liver and kidney damage, and psychological effects such as confusion.
