Pharmacology VTNE Exam|Complete
Questions with A+ Graded Answers
What adverse side effect can occur in cats given metoclopramide?
Cyanosis
Dilated and fixed pupils
Aggressive behavior
Estrus behavior
Aggressive behavior
Explanation - Rare side effects that can occur are nervous, jittery, or aggressive behaviors. The
antidote for these types of behaviors is diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Head bobbing can also rarely
occur as a side effect of Reglan (metoclopramide).
A 20-kg patient is being sent home on famotidine to help with potential esophagitis. How many 10 mg
tablets should be sent home with the owner, if the patient requires 0.5 mg/kg PO BID x 7 days?
14
40
21
7
14
Explanation - To correctly answer the question, the following math should have been performed:
20 kg x (0.5 mg/kg) = 10 mg (This is the amount the patient needs per dose, which is equivalent to 1
tablet.)
1 x 2= 2 (This is the number of pills needed per day, since the dosing is BID.)
2 x 7= 14 (This is the number of pills needed for the 7 day treatment course.)
Which drug is known as an ACE-inhibitor?
Metoclopramide
Enalapril
Diphenhydramine
Acepromazine
Enalapril
Explanation - Ace-inhibitors like enalapril are vasodilators which block angiotensin-converting enzyme
to prevent angiotensin II (a vacosconstrictor) and aldosterone (causes sodium retention) from
forming. Ace-inhibitors help to relax smooth muscle in the arterioles and veins. They are most
commonly used in cases of heart and kidney disease.
-Note that ace-inhibitor drugs usually end in a "pril" (benazapril, captopril, enalapril, etc.)
,Valium is often given with ketamine to provide which effect?
Increased heart rate
Muscle relaxation
Increased cardiac contractility
Increased muscle tone
Muscle relaxation
Explanation - Ketamine can cause muscle rigidity. Valium (diazepam) is often given with ketamine to
provide muscle relaxation.
A 5-year old female spayed Yorkie presents with a history of decreased vision. The doctor asks you to
perform tonometry on this dog. Which of the following may be used as a topical anesthetic to the
eyes so that you may check the intraocular pressures with your Tonopen?
Benzocaine
Proparacaine
Lidocaine
Bupivacaine
Proparacaine
Explanation - Proparacaine is a topical anesthetic for the eyes. The other choices should not be used
in the eyes. The other options are local anesthetic agents but are likely to cause irritation and/or
corneal ulceration.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) can result from the use of which medication?
Trimethoprim-sulfa (TMS)
Enalapril
Cyclosporine
Prednisone
Enrofloxacin
Trimethoprim-sulfa (TMS)
Explanation - The sulfa drugs can cause dry eye in some patients and therefore overuse should be
avoided. If a patient is started on a sulfa drug, tear production should be monitored.
Why should atropine, a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine receptors, be used cautiously in
horses (i.e. what is a major side effect of the drug)?
Excessive use can result in bradycardia
Excessive use can result in diarrhea
Excessive use can result in intense constriction of the pupil
Excessive use can result in intestinal stasis (colic)
, Excessive use can result in intestinal stasis (colic)
Explanation - Atropine is commonly used topically to dilate the pupil in horses with uveitis; with
excessive administration, atropine can cause intestinal motility to decrease, possibly resulting in
abdominal pain (colic) in the horse. Atropine is also used to increase the heart rate during general
anesthesia.
Which of these drugs should not be used in Greyhounds?
Thiopental
Morphine
Propofol
Ivermectin
Thiopental
Explanation - The correct answer is thiopental. Thiopental is an ultra-short acting barbiturate.
Recovery depends on redistribution to tissues, including fat. Because sighthounds have very little fat,
they have prolonged recoveries and greater complications with these drugs.
How many milligrams are in 100 ml of a 3% solution?
3 mg
30 mg
0.3 mg
3,000 mg
3,000 mg
Explanation - A 3% solution is equal to 30 mg/mL.
Now take 100 mL X 30 mg/mL = 3000 mg= 3 grams (since there are 1000 mg in 1 gram)
You are working at the specialty center and are observing an echocardiogram for the first time. The
cardiologist prescribes the drug propanolol to a canine patient. What effect will this medication have
on the heart?
Stops ventricular premature contractions
Increases the heart rate
Slows the heart rate
Increases contractility
Slows the heart rate
Explanation - Propanolol is a Beta-1 and Beta-2 blocker. It blocks the sympathetic nervous system
(sympatholytic) which allows for the parasympathetic effects on the heart to dominate. The
parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart. Remember- parasympathetic- rest and digest
(slower heart rate), and sympathetic- fight or flight (increased heart rate).
How many milliliters should be administered to a 100-kg patient that needs 50 mg of a 2.5% solution?
Questions with A+ Graded Answers
What adverse side effect can occur in cats given metoclopramide?
Cyanosis
Dilated and fixed pupils
Aggressive behavior
Estrus behavior
Aggressive behavior
Explanation - Rare side effects that can occur are nervous, jittery, or aggressive behaviors. The
antidote for these types of behaviors is diphenhydramine (Benadryl). Head bobbing can also rarely
occur as a side effect of Reglan (metoclopramide).
A 20-kg patient is being sent home on famotidine to help with potential esophagitis. How many 10 mg
tablets should be sent home with the owner, if the patient requires 0.5 mg/kg PO BID x 7 days?
14
40
21
7
14
Explanation - To correctly answer the question, the following math should have been performed:
20 kg x (0.5 mg/kg) = 10 mg (This is the amount the patient needs per dose, which is equivalent to 1
tablet.)
1 x 2= 2 (This is the number of pills needed per day, since the dosing is BID.)
2 x 7= 14 (This is the number of pills needed for the 7 day treatment course.)
Which drug is known as an ACE-inhibitor?
Metoclopramide
Enalapril
Diphenhydramine
Acepromazine
Enalapril
Explanation - Ace-inhibitors like enalapril are vasodilators which block angiotensin-converting enzyme
to prevent angiotensin II (a vacosconstrictor) and aldosterone (causes sodium retention) from
forming. Ace-inhibitors help to relax smooth muscle in the arterioles and veins. They are most
commonly used in cases of heart and kidney disease.
-Note that ace-inhibitor drugs usually end in a "pril" (benazapril, captopril, enalapril, etc.)
,Valium is often given with ketamine to provide which effect?
Increased heart rate
Muscle relaxation
Increased cardiac contractility
Increased muscle tone
Muscle relaxation
Explanation - Ketamine can cause muscle rigidity. Valium (diazepam) is often given with ketamine to
provide muscle relaxation.
A 5-year old female spayed Yorkie presents with a history of decreased vision. The doctor asks you to
perform tonometry on this dog. Which of the following may be used as a topical anesthetic to the
eyes so that you may check the intraocular pressures with your Tonopen?
Benzocaine
Proparacaine
Lidocaine
Bupivacaine
Proparacaine
Explanation - Proparacaine is a topical anesthetic for the eyes. The other choices should not be used
in the eyes. The other options are local anesthetic agents but are likely to cause irritation and/or
corneal ulceration.
Keratoconjunctivitis sicca (dry eye) can result from the use of which medication?
Trimethoprim-sulfa (TMS)
Enalapril
Cyclosporine
Prednisone
Enrofloxacin
Trimethoprim-sulfa (TMS)
Explanation - The sulfa drugs can cause dry eye in some patients and therefore overuse should be
avoided. If a patient is started on a sulfa drug, tear production should be monitored.
Why should atropine, a competitive antagonist of acetylcholine receptors, be used cautiously in
horses (i.e. what is a major side effect of the drug)?
Excessive use can result in bradycardia
Excessive use can result in diarrhea
Excessive use can result in intense constriction of the pupil
Excessive use can result in intestinal stasis (colic)
, Excessive use can result in intestinal stasis (colic)
Explanation - Atropine is commonly used topically to dilate the pupil in horses with uveitis; with
excessive administration, atropine can cause intestinal motility to decrease, possibly resulting in
abdominal pain (colic) in the horse. Atropine is also used to increase the heart rate during general
anesthesia.
Which of these drugs should not be used in Greyhounds?
Thiopental
Morphine
Propofol
Ivermectin
Thiopental
Explanation - The correct answer is thiopental. Thiopental is an ultra-short acting barbiturate.
Recovery depends on redistribution to tissues, including fat. Because sighthounds have very little fat,
they have prolonged recoveries and greater complications with these drugs.
How many milligrams are in 100 ml of a 3% solution?
3 mg
30 mg
0.3 mg
3,000 mg
3,000 mg
Explanation - A 3% solution is equal to 30 mg/mL.
Now take 100 mL X 30 mg/mL = 3000 mg= 3 grams (since there are 1000 mg in 1 gram)
You are working at the specialty center and are observing an echocardiogram for the first time. The
cardiologist prescribes the drug propanolol to a canine patient. What effect will this medication have
on the heart?
Stops ventricular premature contractions
Increases the heart rate
Slows the heart rate
Increases contractility
Slows the heart rate
Explanation - Propanolol is a Beta-1 and Beta-2 blocker. It blocks the sympathetic nervous system
(sympatholytic) which allows for the parasympathetic effects on the heart to dominate. The
parasympathetic nervous system slows the heart. Remember- parasympathetic- rest and digest
(slower heart rate), and sympathetic- fight or flight (increased heart rate).
How many milliliters should be administered to a 100-kg patient that needs 50 mg of a 2.5% solution?
