VTNE Pharm Complete Exam Questions With
Verified Answers
All drugs need to be stored and handled so that they are safe for the patient, client, and veterinary
staff. When handling drugs that are concidered cytotoxic or hazardous, personal protective apparel
(PPA) should be worn. With which of the following drugs is it imperative to pay special attention to
safe handling?
-Ascorbic Acid
-Metoclopramide
-Sucralfate
-Vincristine
-Metronidazole
Vincristine is a chemotheraputic agent and PPA including gloves, gowns, and a face shield should be
worn when using this drug. Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C and probably poses minimal risk when handling.
Metronidazole and sucralfate are not hazardous via handling.
An 11-year old male German shepherd dog with previously diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
presents to your clinic following a dog fight. The dog is significantly aggressive and resistant to
handling. What medication should NOT be used to sedate this patient?
-Dexmedetomidine
-Atropine
-Midazolam
-Butorphanol
-Buprenorphine
Dexmedetomidine should only be used in patients with normal cardiac function as it can cause a
significant reduction in cardiac output due to reduced heart rate. It should be avoided whenever
possible in patients that have compromised cardiac function. Butorphanol and buprenorphine would
be better options for sedation as these drugs would not have as much effect on cardiac output and
would provide some pain relief. Midazolam can be used to sedate the patient via IM administration
and, although it would not provide any pain control, it would allow for safer handling of the patient.
Atropine is not a sedative, but an anticholinergic used most commonly to increase heart rate.
A Golden retriever ingests several tablespoons of antifreeze. This will cause the most damage to what
organ system?
-Cardiac
-Renal
-Hepatic
-Gastrointestinal
-Nervous
Renal
Ethylene glycol (EG), the primary ingredient in antifreeze, causes damage to the renal system
(kidneys). EG causes damage to the renal tubular epithelium, causing build up of oxalate crystals in
the renal tubules and metabolic acidosis.
Which is safe to put in the ears if the tympanum may be ruptured?
-Chlorhexidine
-Gentamicin
-Neomycin
-0.9% NaCl
,Saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is considered safe.
The others listed (especially aminoglycoside antibiotics) could potentially be ototoxic if the eardrum is
not intact.
Which of the following medications is commonly found over-the-counter (OTC)?
-Diphenhydramine
-Pimobendan
-Hydrocodone
-Doxycycline
Diphenhydramine
The other name for diphenhydramine is Benadryl and can be found over-the-counter.
Hydrocodone is commonly used as a cough suppressant in veterinary medicine and is a controlled
substance requiring a prescription.
Doxycycline (an antibiotic) and Pimobendan (a heart medication) are by prescription only.
How many milliliters of 50% dextrose should be added to a 100 ml solution of Lactated Ringer's
Solution to make it 2.5%?
0.5 ml
5 ml
10 ml
1 ml
50 ml
To answer this question, the following formula should be implemented:
C(1)V(1) = C(2)V(2)
C is the concentration
V is the volume
C(1) =0.5
V(1) = x
C(2) = 0.025
V(2) = 100 ml
0.5x = 0.025(100)
x = 5 ml
5 ml of 50% dextrose should be added to 100 ml in order to make a 2.5% solution.
How many milliliters should be administered to a 100-kg patient that needs 50 mg of a 2.5% solution?
25 ml
125 ml
2 ml
2.5 ml
Percent is equal to weight (in Grams) / 100 parts volume (in mLs)
,(This is based on water since 1 mL weighs 1 Gram):
Example: A 3% solution: 3 Grams / 100 mL or 3000 mg / 100 mL or 30 mg/mL
The easiest way to remember is to just add a zero onto any percentage for the milligrams (i.e. 2%
solution = 20 mg/ml; 10% solution = 100 mg/ml, etc.)
In this situation a 2.5% solution is equivalent to 25 mg/ml. Therefore:
50 mg / (25 mg/ml) = 2 ml
A drug that is a cholinergic agent will have which of the following effects?
-Dilate the pupil
-Slow the heart rate
-Cause central nervous system depression
-Decrease salivation
-Decrease intestinal motility
Slow the heart rate
Cholinergic agents are drugs that mimic the effects of acetylcholine within the autonomic nervous
system. These drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They promote salivation,
lacrimation, urination, and defecation (sometimes abbreviated SLUD or referred to as "rest and
digest" functions). They can cause pupil constriction or decreased heart rate. A commonly used
cholinergic drug is bethanechol which is structurally similar to acetylcholine but resists degradation. It
is used to treat gastric atony or urinary retention in the bladder.
A patient is hospitalized with a resistant infection and is getting Amikacin injections and IV fluid
therapy. Amikacin can cause kidney damage. What could you do to monitor for early renal side
effects?
-Check a daily urine protein
-Monitor urine output
-Renal ultrasound daily
-Check the urine specific gravity twice daily
Check a daily urine protein.
Proteinuria can be one of the first things seen if there is damage to the kidneys. Urine output and
specific gravity would not be reliable indicators since this patient is on IV fluids. Ultrasound would not
be helpful picking up early kidney damage since this occurs at a microscopic level in the renal tubules.
Kidney changes can be seen with ultrasound only if gross disease is present in the renal architecture.
BUN and creatinine levels can be helpful, however, remember that usually these values do not
become elevated until more than 70% of the renal function has been compromised.
What quantity of drug is found in 200 mLs of a 10% solution?
20 milligrams
20 grams
2,000 milligrams
2,000 grams
, 20 grams.
A 10% solution is equal to 100 mg/mL. The easiest way to remember this conversion is to add a zero
to the percentage. (10%= 100 mg/mL, 15% = 150 mg/mL, etc.)
If 1 mL is equal to 100 mg, then to find out the quantity of drug in 200 mLs, multiply 100 mg X 200 =
20,000 mg. There are 20,000 mg in 200 mLs of a 10% solution.
But none of the choices are 20,000 mg. We need to go one step further and determine how many
grams this is.
1 gram is equal to 1,000 mg. We need to divide the milligrams by 1,000.
So, 20,000mg / 1,000 = 20 grams.
Which chemotherapy drug is contraindicated for use in cats?
Cisplatin
Vincristine
L-Aspariginase
Prednisone
Doxorubicin
Cisplatin cannot be used in cats as it causes pulmonary toxicity. Remember the phrase "Cisplatin
splats cats".
Which drug could be used to decrease intracranial pressure?
Mitotane
Mannitol
Ivermectin
Phenobarbital
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic. It can reduce intraocular and intracerebral pressures. It can also help
to reduce edema and enhance urinary excretion of some toxins.
This drug can also crystallize, so a filter needle should be used.
Which medication is considered a gastric "band-aid"?
Sucralfate
Metoclopramide
Metronidazole
Pepcid-AC
Sucralfate.
Verified Answers
All drugs need to be stored and handled so that they are safe for the patient, client, and veterinary
staff. When handling drugs that are concidered cytotoxic or hazardous, personal protective apparel
(PPA) should be worn. With which of the following drugs is it imperative to pay special attention to
safe handling?
-Ascorbic Acid
-Metoclopramide
-Sucralfate
-Vincristine
-Metronidazole
Vincristine is a chemotheraputic agent and PPA including gloves, gowns, and a face shield should be
worn when using this drug. Ascorbic acid is Vitamin C and probably poses minimal risk when handling.
Metronidazole and sucralfate are not hazardous via handling.
An 11-year old male German shepherd dog with previously diagnosed dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM)
presents to your clinic following a dog fight. The dog is significantly aggressive and resistant to
handling. What medication should NOT be used to sedate this patient?
-Dexmedetomidine
-Atropine
-Midazolam
-Butorphanol
-Buprenorphine
Dexmedetomidine should only be used in patients with normal cardiac function as it can cause a
significant reduction in cardiac output due to reduced heart rate. It should be avoided whenever
possible in patients that have compromised cardiac function. Butorphanol and buprenorphine would
be better options for sedation as these drugs would not have as much effect on cardiac output and
would provide some pain relief. Midazolam can be used to sedate the patient via IM administration
and, although it would not provide any pain control, it would allow for safer handling of the patient.
Atropine is not a sedative, but an anticholinergic used most commonly to increase heart rate.
A Golden retriever ingests several tablespoons of antifreeze. This will cause the most damage to what
organ system?
-Cardiac
-Renal
-Hepatic
-Gastrointestinal
-Nervous
Renal
Ethylene glycol (EG), the primary ingredient in antifreeze, causes damage to the renal system
(kidneys). EG causes damage to the renal tubular epithelium, causing build up of oxalate crystals in
the renal tubules and metabolic acidosis.
Which is safe to put in the ears if the tympanum may be ruptured?
-Chlorhexidine
-Gentamicin
-Neomycin
-0.9% NaCl
,Saline (0.9% sodium chloride) is considered safe.
The others listed (especially aminoglycoside antibiotics) could potentially be ototoxic if the eardrum is
not intact.
Which of the following medications is commonly found over-the-counter (OTC)?
-Diphenhydramine
-Pimobendan
-Hydrocodone
-Doxycycline
Diphenhydramine
The other name for diphenhydramine is Benadryl and can be found over-the-counter.
Hydrocodone is commonly used as a cough suppressant in veterinary medicine and is a controlled
substance requiring a prescription.
Doxycycline (an antibiotic) and Pimobendan (a heart medication) are by prescription only.
How many milliliters of 50% dextrose should be added to a 100 ml solution of Lactated Ringer's
Solution to make it 2.5%?
0.5 ml
5 ml
10 ml
1 ml
50 ml
To answer this question, the following formula should be implemented:
C(1)V(1) = C(2)V(2)
C is the concentration
V is the volume
C(1) =0.5
V(1) = x
C(2) = 0.025
V(2) = 100 ml
0.5x = 0.025(100)
x = 5 ml
5 ml of 50% dextrose should be added to 100 ml in order to make a 2.5% solution.
How many milliliters should be administered to a 100-kg patient that needs 50 mg of a 2.5% solution?
25 ml
125 ml
2 ml
2.5 ml
Percent is equal to weight (in Grams) / 100 parts volume (in mLs)
,(This is based on water since 1 mL weighs 1 Gram):
Example: A 3% solution: 3 Grams / 100 mL or 3000 mg / 100 mL or 30 mg/mL
The easiest way to remember is to just add a zero onto any percentage for the milligrams (i.e. 2%
solution = 20 mg/ml; 10% solution = 100 mg/ml, etc.)
In this situation a 2.5% solution is equivalent to 25 mg/ml. Therefore:
50 mg / (25 mg/ml) = 2 ml
A drug that is a cholinergic agent will have which of the following effects?
-Dilate the pupil
-Slow the heart rate
-Cause central nervous system depression
-Decrease salivation
-Decrease intestinal motility
Slow the heart rate
Cholinergic agents are drugs that mimic the effects of acetylcholine within the autonomic nervous
system. These drugs stimulate the parasympathetic nervous system. They promote salivation,
lacrimation, urination, and defecation (sometimes abbreviated SLUD or referred to as "rest and
digest" functions). They can cause pupil constriction or decreased heart rate. A commonly used
cholinergic drug is bethanechol which is structurally similar to acetylcholine but resists degradation. It
is used to treat gastric atony or urinary retention in the bladder.
A patient is hospitalized with a resistant infection and is getting Amikacin injections and IV fluid
therapy. Amikacin can cause kidney damage. What could you do to monitor for early renal side
effects?
-Check a daily urine protein
-Monitor urine output
-Renal ultrasound daily
-Check the urine specific gravity twice daily
Check a daily urine protein.
Proteinuria can be one of the first things seen if there is damage to the kidneys. Urine output and
specific gravity would not be reliable indicators since this patient is on IV fluids. Ultrasound would not
be helpful picking up early kidney damage since this occurs at a microscopic level in the renal tubules.
Kidney changes can be seen with ultrasound only if gross disease is present in the renal architecture.
BUN and creatinine levels can be helpful, however, remember that usually these values do not
become elevated until more than 70% of the renal function has been compromised.
What quantity of drug is found in 200 mLs of a 10% solution?
20 milligrams
20 grams
2,000 milligrams
2,000 grams
, 20 grams.
A 10% solution is equal to 100 mg/mL. The easiest way to remember this conversion is to add a zero
to the percentage. (10%= 100 mg/mL, 15% = 150 mg/mL, etc.)
If 1 mL is equal to 100 mg, then to find out the quantity of drug in 200 mLs, multiply 100 mg X 200 =
20,000 mg. There are 20,000 mg in 200 mLs of a 10% solution.
But none of the choices are 20,000 mg. We need to go one step further and determine how many
grams this is.
1 gram is equal to 1,000 mg. We need to divide the milligrams by 1,000.
So, 20,000mg / 1,000 = 20 grams.
Which chemotherapy drug is contraindicated for use in cats?
Cisplatin
Vincristine
L-Aspariginase
Prednisone
Doxorubicin
Cisplatin cannot be used in cats as it causes pulmonary toxicity. Remember the phrase "Cisplatin
splats cats".
Which drug could be used to decrease intracranial pressure?
Mitotane
Mannitol
Ivermectin
Phenobarbital
Mannitol is an osmotic diuretic. It can reduce intraocular and intracerebral pressures. It can also help
to reduce edema and enhance urinary excretion of some toxins.
This drug can also crystallize, so a filter needle should be used.
Which medication is considered a gastric "band-aid"?
Sucralfate
Metoclopramide
Metronidazole
Pepcid-AC
Sucralfate.
