Chapter 1 Review Questions
General Pharmacology
1. Define the following terms:
a. Agonist: A drug that has affinity for a receptor and stimulates the receptor to
action.
b. Contraindication: A reason not to use a drug in a particular situation.
c. Efficacy: The degree to which a drug produces its desired effects in a patient.
d. Over-the-counter drug: A drug that may be purchased and used without a
prescription from a veterinarian.
e. Prescription drug: A drug that must be used under the supervision of a
veterinarian.
f. Receptor: A group of specialized molecules on or in a cell that bind with a drug to
produce an effect.
g. Therapeutic index: Expresses the relationship between a drug’s therapeutic and
harmful effects.
h. Withdrawal time: The amount of time that must elapse between the end of drug
therapy and the elimination of that drug from the patient’s tissues or products.
i. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship: The relationship that must exist between
the veterinarian, his or her patient, and the patient’s owner before prescription
drugs may be dispensed.
2. List four sources of drugs used in veterinary medicine.
Animal products
Plant materials
Minerals
Synthetic products
3. What are four components of a drug regimen?
The dose
The route of administration
The frequency of administration
The duration of administration
4. Discuss the conditions that must be met before a valid veterinarian-client-patient
relationship can be shown to exist.
The veterinarian must assume responsibility for making clinical judgements in
relation to the health of the animal.
The veterinarian must have recently seen the animal and be acquainted with its
care.
The veterinarian must be available for follow-up care of the animal.
,5. Describe the difference between a prescription (legend) drug and an over-the-counter
drug.
A legend drug is a prescription drug limited to being dispensed by or on the order of a
licensed veterinarian. They contain ingredients that require greater control of dispensing
due to their potential of toxic effects and potential to be abused. A legend drug cannot
be dispensed to a client without a valid VCPR. An over-the-counter drug can be
purchased by anyone, without a prescription, at any drug store. They are safe and have a
low concentration of an active ingredient.
6. Discuss the responsibilities of a veterinary technician in the administration of drug
orders.
It is a technician's responsibility to carry out the veterinarian’s orders correctly. The
technician should read the drug label three times to ensure that the proper drug is being
administered and should take care to administer the correct dose by the correct route.
The technician should also be aware of the expected effects and the potential adverse
side effects to be able to monitor the patient in a responsible way. In a large animal
practice, the technician should be aware of withdrawal times and potential residue
problems.
7. Describe the sequence of events that a drug undergoes from administration to
excretion.
A drug is first absorbed (or directly placed) into the bloodstream. In the blood, the drug
may bind with a plasma protein or may exist in the free state. The circulating blood
distributes the drug to the capillary level, where the drug leaves the circulation and
enters the interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid bathes the cell and allows the drug to
enter the cell or bind with surface receptors. The drug then exits the cell (or its surface),
moves back into the interstitial fluid, reenters the circulation, and is transported to the
liver for metabolism. After it is metabolized, the metabolite is transported to the
kidneys for excretion.
,8. List 11 possible routes for administering a drug to a patient and discuss the advantages
and/or disadvantages of each.
a. Oral
i. A simple route of administration
ii. Many factors may influence the rate of absorption, and the oral route
may not be appropriate if the animal is vomiting.
b. Subcutaneous
i. Usually simple procedure
ii. Absorption from subcutaneous sites may be slow, and hypertonic
solutions should not be given by this route.
c. Intramuscular
i. This route produces faster absorption than the subcutaneous route, but
care must be taken with many drugs not to inject them into blood vessels.
d. Intravenous
i. Allows immediate access to the bloodstream and the dilution of irritating
drugs.
ii. A toxic or allergic reaction can be a side effect.
e. Intraperitoneal
i. May be used to administer fluids and some other solutions when other
routes are not available.
ii. Absorption from the peritoneal cavity is slow.
f. Intraarterial
i. A seldom used route that may produce seizures or death.
g. Intracardiac
i. Used primarily for administering emergency drugs or for euthanasia.
h. Intramedullary
i. May be used to administer fluids or blood to small animals or those with
damaged veins.
i. Inhalational
i. Used to administer drugs to the respiratory system.
ii. Special equipment may be required.
j. Topical
i. May be used to place drugs on skin or mucous membranes.
ii. May be facilitated by the use of carrier substances in some instances.
k. Intradermal
i. Used primarily for allergy testing and for diagnosing tuberculosis.
l. Other answers include: intraarticular, epidural, transdermal, etc.
, 9. List some of the factors that influence drug absorption.
a. The method of absorption
b. The pH of the drug and its ionization status
c. The absorptive surface area
d. The blood supply to the area
e. The solubility of the drug
f. The dosage form
g. The status of the gastrointestinal tract
h. Interactions with other drugs
10. Drugs usually produce their effects by combining with specific cellular receptors.
11. What are six items that must be included on a drug label?
a. The drug names (generic and trade)
b. The drug concentration and quantity
c. The name and address of the manufacturer
d. The controlled substance status
e. The manufacturer’s control or lot number
f. The drug’s expiration date
12. What are three government agencies that regulate the development, approval, and use
of animal health products?
a. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
b. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
c. USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
13. Why do many veterinary clinics dispense rather than prescribe most of the drugs that
they use?
Many veterinary clinics dispense rather than prescribe drugs because of the profit
earned from selling the products.
14. Describe the marketing of animal health products.
Veterinary pharmaceuticals may be purchased directly from the manufacturer, from
distributors, or from generic mail order companies. In some instances, drugs may be sold
under one label to graduate veterinarians and under another as an over-the-counter
product.
15. What is the purpose of FARAD?
FARAD provides resources concerning the avoidance of drug residues in animals.
16. Extralabel veterinary drug use was made legal (under prescribed circumstances) by what
act of Congress?
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA)
17. Define compounding.
Drug compounding is a process of combining, mixing, or altering two or more drug
ingredients to create a medication in a different dosage form to accommodate a
patient’s needs.
General Pharmacology
1. Define the following terms:
a. Agonist: A drug that has affinity for a receptor and stimulates the receptor to
action.
b. Contraindication: A reason not to use a drug in a particular situation.
c. Efficacy: The degree to which a drug produces its desired effects in a patient.
d. Over-the-counter drug: A drug that may be purchased and used without a
prescription from a veterinarian.
e. Prescription drug: A drug that must be used under the supervision of a
veterinarian.
f. Receptor: A group of specialized molecules on or in a cell that bind with a drug to
produce an effect.
g. Therapeutic index: Expresses the relationship between a drug’s therapeutic and
harmful effects.
h. Withdrawal time: The amount of time that must elapse between the end of drug
therapy and the elimination of that drug from the patient’s tissues or products.
i. Veterinarian-client-patient relationship: The relationship that must exist between
the veterinarian, his or her patient, and the patient’s owner before prescription
drugs may be dispensed.
2. List four sources of drugs used in veterinary medicine.
Animal products
Plant materials
Minerals
Synthetic products
3. What are four components of a drug regimen?
The dose
The route of administration
The frequency of administration
The duration of administration
4. Discuss the conditions that must be met before a valid veterinarian-client-patient
relationship can be shown to exist.
The veterinarian must assume responsibility for making clinical judgements in
relation to the health of the animal.
The veterinarian must have recently seen the animal and be acquainted with its
care.
The veterinarian must be available for follow-up care of the animal.
,5. Describe the difference between a prescription (legend) drug and an over-the-counter
drug.
A legend drug is a prescription drug limited to being dispensed by or on the order of a
licensed veterinarian. They contain ingredients that require greater control of dispensing
due to their potential of toxic effects and potential to be abused. A legend drug cannot
be dispensed to a client without a valid VCPR. An over-the-counter drug can be
purchased by anyone, without a prescription, at any drug store. They are safe and have a
low concentration of an active ingredient.
6. Discuss the responsibilities of a veterinary technician in the administration of drug
orders.
It is a technician's responsibility to carry out the veterinarian’s orders correctly. The
technician should read the drug label three times to ensure that the proper drug is being
administered and should take care to administer the correct dose by the correct route.
The technician should also be aware of the expected effects and the potential adverse
side effects to be able to monitor the patient in a responsible way. In a large animal
practice, the technician should be aware of withdrawal times and potential residue
problems.
7. Describe the sequence of events that a drug undergoes from administration to
excretion.
A drug is first absorbed (or directly placed) into the bloodstream. In the blood, the drug
may bind with a plasma protein or may exist in the free state. The circulating blood
distributes the drug to the capillary level, where the drug leaves the circulation and
enters the interstitial fluid. The interstitial fluid bathes the cell and allows the drug to
enter the cell or bind with surface receptors. The drug then exits the cell (or its surface),
moves back into the interstitial fluid, reenters the circulation, and is transported to the
liver for metabolism. After it is metabolized, the metabolite is transported to the
kidneys for excretion.
,8. List 11 possible routes for administering a drug to a patient and discuss the advantages
and/or disadvantages of each.
a. Oral
i. A simple route of administration
ii. Many factors may influence the rate of absorption, and the oral route
may not be appropriate if the animal is vomiting.
b. Subcutaneous
i. Usually simple procedure
ii. Absorption from subcutaneous sites may be slow, and hypertonic
solutions should not be given by this route.
c. Intramuscular
i. This route produces faster absorption than the subcutaneous route, but
care must be taken with many drugs not to inject them into blood vessels.
d. Intravenous
i. Allows immediate access to the bloodstream and the dilution of irritating
drugs.
ii. A toxic or allergic reaction can be a side effect.
e. Intraperitoneal
i. May be used to administer fluids and some other solutions when other
routes are not available.
ii. Absorption from the peritoneal cavity is slow.
f. Intraarterial
i. A seldom used route that may produce seizures or death.
g. Intracardiac
i. Used primarily for administering emergency drugs or for euthanasia.
h. Intramedullary
i. May be used to administer fluids or blood to small animals or those with
damaged veins.
i. Inhalational
i. Used to administer drugs to the respiratory system.
ii. Special equipment may be required.
j. Topical
i. May be used to place drugs on skin or mucous membranes.
ii. May be facilitated by the use of carrier substances in some instances.
k. Intradermal
i. Used primarily for allergy testing and for diagnosing tuberculosis.
l. Other answers include: intraarticular, epidural, transdermal, etc.
, 9. List some of the factors that influence drug absorption.
a. The method of absorption
b. The pH of the drug and its ionization status
c. The absorptive surface area
d. The blood supply to the area
e. The solubility of the drug
f. The dosage form
g. The status of the gastrointestinal tract
h. Interactions with other drugs
10. Drugs usually produce their effects by combining with specific cellular receptors.
11. What are six items that must be included on a drug label?
a. The drug names (generic and trade)
b. The drug concentration and quantity
c. The name and address of the manufacturer
d. The controlled substance status
e. The manufacturer’s control or lot number
f. The drug’s expiration date
12. What are three government agencies that regulate the development, approval, and use
of animal health products?
a. FDA (Food and Drug Administration)
b. EPA (Environmental Protection Agency)
c. USDA (U.S. Department of Agriculture)
13. Why do many veterinary clinics dispense rather than prescribe most of the drugs that
they use?
Many veterinary clinics dispense rather than prescribe drugs because of the profit
earned from selling the products.
14. Describe the marketing of animal health products.
Veterinary pharmaceuticals may be purchased directly from the manufacturer, from
distributors, or from generic mail order companies. In some instances, drugs may be sold
under one label to graduate veterinarians and under another as an over-the-counter
product.
15. What is the purpose of FARAD?
FARAD provides resources concerning the avoidance of drug residues in animals.
16. Extralabel veterinary drug use was made legal (under prescribed circumstances) by what
act of Congress?
Animal Medicinal Drug Use Clarification Act (AMDUCA)
17. Define compounding.
Drug compounding is a process of combining, mixing, or altering two or more drug
ingredients to create a medication in a different dosage form to accommodate a
patient’s needs.
