What are the 3 liver enzymes?
Correct Answer:
Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine aminotransferase (ALT), Alkaline
phosphatase (ALP)
Expert Rationale:
AST, ALT, and ALP are primary biomarkers measured to assess hepatic function.
AST and ALT are intracellular enzymes released into the circulation following
hepatocellular injury and are crucial for evaluating hepatocellular damage. ALP,
while found in the liver, also exists in bone and other tissues and can be elevated
in conditions affecting bile flow (cholestasis). Comprehensive assessment of liver
dysfunction relies on evaluating all three in conjunction with clinical presentation.
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What method of administration is putting a tablet under the tongue?
,Correct Answer:
Sublingual
Expert Rationale:
The sublingual route involves placing medication under the tongue for
absorption via the rich vascular supply. This bypasses the gastrointestinal tract
and hepatic first-pass metabolism, thus facilitating more rapid and efficient
systemic drug availability.
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What lab test reflects the function of the kidney?
Correct Answer:
Creatinine
Expert Rationale:
Serum creatinine is a key marker of renal function, as its concentration in blood
increases with renal impairment. Because creatinine is primarily filtered by the
glomerulus and only minimally secreted by renal tubules, changes in its
concentration are a sensitive indicator of glomerular filtration rate (GFR).
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Decreased responsiveness of a drug over the course of therapy is the
definition of what?
Correct Answer:
Tolerance
Expert Rationale:
Tolerance refers to a pharmacological phenomenon where sustained drug
exposure results in decreased efficacy, requiring higher doses to achieve the
same therapeutic effect. It is distinct from dependence or addiction, and can
develop with various drug classes, notably opioids and benzodiazepines.
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Tachyphylaxis
Correct Answer:
Rapid tolerance
, Expert Rationale:
Tachyphylaxis is characterized by a sudden, acute decrease in response to a drug
after initial doses. This is typically observed with some medications such as
decongestants or nitrates, and differentiates from tolerance by its rapid onset,
rendering subsequent doses ineffective shortly after administration begins.
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Definition of Pharmacology
Correct Answer:
Study of drugs (study of medication therapy)
Expert Rationale:
Pharmacology encompasses the scientific discipline involved in the research,
discovery, and characterization of chemicals which show biological effects and
the elucidation of cellular and organismal function in relation to these chemicals.
In clinical context, it includes pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and
therapeutics.
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