MARYVILLE PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 1 ACTUAL
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the MOA of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: To relax
airway smooth muscle by increasing cyclic cAMP; dilation and
opening of airway
◉ What is the use of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: Used in
bronchospasm associated with: asthma, bronchitis, and COPD
◉ When are SABAs used (albuterol and levabuterol)? Answer: For
relief of ACUTE asthma attacks
◉ Is albuterol approved in children under 4? Answer: Yes.
◉ How do beta-2 agonists affect calcium? Answer: They open large
conductions in calcium activated potassium channels =
hyperpolarized airway smooth muscle cells
1. decreased intracellular calcium
2. increased potassium concentration
,3. decreased myocleynase activity = smooth muscle relaxation and
bronchodilation
◉ What are examples of long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)? Answer:
salmetrol and formoterol
◉ What are LABAs (salmeterol and formoterol) used for? Answer:
Used for PREVENTION or long term treatment of asthma
NOT for acute attacks; not first line treatment
CANNOT be used alone
◉ What population should LABAs NOT be prescribed in? Answer:
African Americans
◉ What is special about the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
Answer: This gene causes LABAs to worsen asthma control
◉ Who is more likely to have the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
Answer: African Americans; this genotype is present in 1/6th of the
U.S. population
,◉ How does the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene cause worsening
asthma control when LABAs are taken? Answer: Asthmatics with
this gene are at risk for decreased airflow and worsening asthma
control
◉ What are adverse effects of inhaled beta agonists? Answer:
Tachycardia and tremors
◉ What is the absorption of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: Very
little systemic absorption
◉ What are examples of anticholinergics/antimuscarinics in
maintenance therapy of COPD? Answer: ipatroprium (Atrovent) and
tiotroprium (Spiriva)
◉ What is the MOA of anticholinergics (ipatroprium and
tiotroprium)? Answer: They block muscarinic receptors decreasing
the formation of cAMP
CAUSES BRONCHODILATION BY:
1. decreasing smooth muscle contraction of lungs (mainly on M3
receptors)
2. decreases mucous secretion
, ◉ What are ipatroprium and tiotroprium used for? Answer:
Maintenance of COPD
◉ What is tiotroprium (Spiriva)? Answer: LONG-ACTING
bronchodilator for COPD; better absorbed from lung than
ipatroprium (Atrovent)
◉ What is ipotroprium (Atrovent)? Answer: SHORT-ACTING
bronchodilator for COPD
◉ What bronchodilator is the best choice in patients taking
propranolol? Answer: Ipatroprium (Atrovent)
◉ What are the adverse effects of ipatroprium and tiotroprium?
Answer: Anticholinergic -- can't see, can't pee, can't spit, can't shit
◉ What are examples of inhaled corticosteroids? Answer:
fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Pulmicort), beclomethasone
diproprionate (QVAR)
◉ What are inhaled corticosteroids used for? Answer: Long-term
treatment of asthma (severe, persistent asthma); taken everyday
EXAM PAPER 2026 QUESTIONS WITH
SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◉ What is the MOA of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: To relax
airway smooth muscle by increasing cyclic cAMP; dilation and
opening of airway
◉ What is the use of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: Used in
bronchospasm associated with: asthma, bronchitis, and COPD
◉ When are SABAs used (albuterol and levabuterol)? Answer: For
relief of ACUTE asthma attacks
◉ Is albuterol approved in children under 4? Answer: Yes.
◉ How do beta-2 agonists affect calcium? Answer: They open large
conductions in calcium activated potassium channels =
hyperpolarized airway smooth muscle cells
1. decreased intracellular calcium
2. increased potassium concentration
,3. decreased myocleynase activity = smooth muscle relaxation and
bronchodilation
◉ What are examples of long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)? Answer:
salmetrol and formoterol
◉ What are LABAs (salmeterol and formoterol) used for? Answer:
Used for PREVENTION or long term treatment of asthma
NOT for acute attacks; not first line treatment
CANNOT be used alone
◉ What population should LABAs NOT be prescribed in? Answer:
African Americans
◉ What is special about the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
Answer: This gene causes LABAs to worsen asthma control
◉ Who is more likely to have the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
Answer: African Americans; this genotype is present in 1/6th of the
U.S. population
,◉ How does the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene cause worsening
asthma control when LABAs are taken? Answer: Asthmatics with
this gene are at risk for decreased airflow and worsening asthma
control
◉ What are adverse effects of inhaled beta agonists? Answer:
Tachycardia and tremors
◉ What is the absorption of inhaled beta agonists? Answer: Very
little systemic absorption
◉ What are examples of anticholinergics/antimuscarinics in
maintenance therapy of COPD? Answer: ipatroprium (Atrovent) and
tiotroprium (Spiriva)
◉ What is the MOA of anticholinergics (ipatroprium and
tiotroprium)? Answer: They block muscarinic receptors decreasing
the formation of cAMP
CAUSES BRONCHODILATION BY:
1. decreasing smooth muscle contraction of lungs (mainly on M3
receptors)
2. decreases mucous secretion
, ◉ What are ipatroprium and tiotroprium used for? Answer:
Maintenance of COPD
◉ What is tiotroprium (Spiriva)? Answer: LONG-ACTING
bronchodilator for COPD; better absorbed from lung than
ipatroprium (Atrovent)
◉ What is ipotroprium (Atrovent)? Answer: SHORT-ACTING
bronchodilator for COPD
◉ What bronchodilator is the best choice in patients taking
propranolol? Answer: Ipatroprium (Atrovent)
◉ What are the adverse effects of ipatroprium and tiotroprium?
Answer: Anticholinergic -- can't see, can't pee, can't spit, can't shit
◉ What are examples of inhaled corticosteroids? Answer:
fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Pulmicort), beclomethasone
diproprionate (QVAR)
◉ What are inhaled corticosteroids used for? Answer: Long-term
treatment of asthma (severe, persistent asthma); taken everyday
