Chapter 57 Ophthalmic Drugs
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to reduce intraocular pressure?
a. cromolyn (Opticrom®)
b. polypeptides
c. osmotic diuretics
d. hyperosmolar sodium chloride
ANS C
Drugs used to reduce intraocular pressure include osmotic diuretics.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
2. Which condition is an indication for the use of direct- and indirect-acting miotics?
a. Ocular infections
b. Blurred vision
c. Open-angle glaucoma
d. Cataracts
ANS C
Indications for the direct- and indirect-acting miotics include open-angle glaucoma, convergent
strabismus, and ocular surgery.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
3. A patient is being treated for uveitis. Which drug does the nurse expect that the patient is using?
a. atropine sulphate
b. epinephrine
c. acetylcholine (Miochol E®)
d. cyclopentolate hydrochloride solution (Cyclogyl®)
, ANS A
Atropine is used to treat uveal tract inflammatory states. The usual dose for uveitis (inflammation of the
choroid, iris, or ciliary body) in children and adults is 1 to 2 drops of the solution 2 to 3 times daily. The
dose for an eye examination is 1 drop of solution, ideally 1 hour before the procedure.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. Although dipivefrin has localized effects in the eye, it mimics the effects of the sympathetic
nervous system neurotransmitters and can cause systemic effects. Which systemic effects can occur?
a. Dizziness and syncope
b. Bradycardia or heart block
c. Dry mouth and constipation
d. Increased heart rate or blood pressure
ANS D
Dipivefrin can cause increased cardiovascular effects, mimicking the sympathetic nervous system
and resulting in increased heart rate or blood pressure.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. A patient has been taking the corticosteroid dexamethasone (AK Dex®) but has developed bacterial
conjunctivitis. The patient is given a prescription for gentamicin (Diogent®) ointment. What interaction
is possible if the two drugs are used concurrently?
a. The infection may become systemic.
b. The effects of the gentamicin may become more potent.
c. The corticosteroid may cause the overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms.
d. Immunosuppression may make elimination of the eye infection more difficult.
ANS D
Concurrent use of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, and ophthalmic antibiotics may
cause immunosuppression, which may make elimination of the eye infection more difficult.
Sealock Lilley’s Pharmacology for Canadian Health Care Practice
MULTIPLE CHOICE
1. Which drug is used to reduce intraocular pressure?
a. cromolyn (Opticrom®)
b. polypeptides
c. osmotic diuretics
d. hyperosmolar sodium chloride
ANS C
Drugs used to reduce intraocular pressure include osmotic diuretics.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
2. Which condition is an indication for the use of direct- and indirect-acting miotics?
a. Ocular infections
b. Blurred vision
c. Open-angle glaucoma
d. Cataracts
ANS C
Indications for the direct- and indirect-acting miotics include open-angle glaucoma, convergent
strabismus, and ocular surgery.
DIF Cognitive Level Knowledge
3. A patient is being treated for uveitis. Which drug does the nurse expect that the patient is using?
a. atropine sulphate
b. epinephrine
c. acetylcholine (Miochol E®)
d. cyclopentolate hydrochloride solution (Cyclogyl®)
, ANS A
Atropine is used to treat uveal tract inflammatory states. The usual dose for uveitis (inflammation of the
choroid, iris, or ciliary body) in children and adults is 1 to 2 drops of the solution 2 to 3 times daily. The
dose for an eye examination is 1 drop of solution, ideally 1 hour before the procedure.
DIF Cognitive Level Comprehension
4. Although dipivefrin has localized effects in the eye, it mimics the effects of the sympathetic
nervous system neurotransmitters and can cause systemic effects. Which systemic effects can occur?
a. Dizziness and syncope
b. Bradycardia or heart block
c. Dry mouth and constipation
d. Increased heart rate or blood pressure
ANS D
Dipivefrin can cause increased cardiovascular effects, mimicking the sympathetic nervous system
and resulting in increased heart rate or blood pressure.
DIF Cognitive Level Application
5. A patient has been taking the corticosteroid dexamethasone (AK Dex®) but has developed bacterial
conjunctivitis. The patient is given a prescription for gentamicin (Diogent®) ointment. What interaction
is possible if the two drugs are used concurrently?
a. The infection may become systemic.
b. The effects of the gentamicin may become more potent.
c. The corticosteroid may cause the overgrowth of nonsusceptible organisms.
d. Immunosuppression may make elimination of the eye infection more difficult.
ANS D
Concurrent use of corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone, and ophthalmic antibiotics may
cause immunosuppression, which may make elimination of the eye infection more difficult.
