Pharmacology Latest Questions And
Answers.
Psyllium - ANSWER Bulk-forming laxative that softens fecal mass and increases bulk
Fecal impaction - ANSWER Condition when psyllium doesn't produce a bowel
movement
IBS - ANSWER Diagnosis and treatment aided by keeping a diary
Tdap vaccine recipients - ANSWER Immunocompromised, cancer, HIV, high-dose
glucocorticoid, pregnancy
Contraindication for DTaP or Tdap vaccine - ANSWER History of anaphylactic reaction
or encephalopathy within 7 days of vaccine
Varicella contraindications - ANSWER Pregnancy, leukemia or lymphoma,
hypersensitivity to neomycin or gelatin
Hepatitis B vaccine contraindications - ANSWER Prior anaphylactic reaction to baker
yeasts of Hep B itself
Attenuated vaccine example - ANSWER Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccine,
varicella (chickenpox) vaccine
Live virus vaccine example - ANSWER Measles, mumps, and rubella virus vaccine
(MMR), varicella virus vaccine
Herd immunity - ANSWER Resistance to an infectious organism due to a large group
of immune individuals
Active immunity - ANSWER Immune system produces antibodies in response to
antigen or vaccine
Passive immunity - ANSWER Immunity passed on from another host through
antibodies
Vaccine definition - ANSWER Preparation containing microorganisms to stimulate
immune system
Post exposure prophylaxis for rabies bite - ANSWER 1 mL dose IM on days 0, 3, 7,
and 14
Prokinetic for gastroparesis - ANSWER Metoclopramide (Reglan)
, Black box warning for Reglan - ANSWER Tardive Dyskinesia, discontinue at 12 weeks
or if movement disorder develops
Patient teaching for metronidazole - ANSWER Avoid alcohol, not safe during
pregnancy
Patient teaching for ciprofloxacin for traveler's diarrhea - ANSWER Finish full dose, use
if symptoms severe or don't improve in a few days
Intermittent asthma symptoms - ANSWER 2 days/week or less, 2 times/month
nighttime awakening, SABA use 2 days/week or less
Mild Persistent asthma symptoms - ANSWER More than 2 days/week but less than
daily, 3-4 times/month nighttime awakenings, SABA use more than 2 days/week but
less than daily
Moderate Persistent asthma symptoms - ANSWER Daily symptoms, more than once a
week but less than daily nighttime awakening, daily SABA use
Severe asthma symptoms - ANSWER Several times daily, often nightly nighttime
awakening, several times a day SABA use
Benefits of SABA use - ANSWER Rescue medication for acute symptoms, not for
prolonged prophylaxis
Benefits of LABA use - ANSWER Long-term control, fixed schedule
Decongestant mechanism of action - ANSWER Shrink engorged mucous membranes
to decrease stuffiness
Expectorant mechanism of action - ANSWER Encourage expectoration of excessive
mucus in the respiratory tract
Patient teaching for ciprofloxacin for traveler's diarrhea - ANSWER Use if symptoms
severe or don't improve in a few days, finish full dose
Labs used to diagnose thyroid problems - ANSWER Free and total T3, Free and total
T4, TSH, Anti-TPO
Labs rechecked after starting levothyroxine - ANSWER 6-8 weeks or after dose
change, then 12 months once stabilized
Symptoms of hypothyroidism - ANSWER Pale, puffy face, cold and dry skin, low heart
rate and body temperature
Symptoms of hyperthyroidism - ANSWER Rapid heart rate, nervousness, weight loss,
increased appetite