PATHOPHYSIOLOGY EXAM 2025 –
QUESTIONS ANSWERED AND
EXPLAINED
1. Serotonin antagonists - ANSWER ondansetron, granisetron,
dolasteron, palonosetron
tx CINV, PONV
well tolerated
SEs: HA, somnolence, diarrhea, constipation
dose related QT changes
2. Palonosetron - ANSWER prevents acute/delayed CINV
longer serum half life than serotonin atagonists
lasts 40 hrs
has a higher binding affinity
3. Serotonin Antagonist half life - ANSWER 4-9 hrs
4. Palonosetron half life - ANSWER 40 hrs
5. Neurokinin receptor antagonists - ANSWER aprepitant, netupitant,
rolapitant
,6. Aprepitant - ANSWER prevents acute/delayed CINV when used
with:
5-HT3 antagonist and corticosteroid has numerous drug
interactions
7. Netupitant - ANSWER only available as combo product with
palonosetron: Akynzeo prevents acute/delayed CINV
8. Akynzeo - ANSWER netupitant and palonestron for CINV
9. Rolapitant - ANSWER oral formulation given as single dose d/t
long elimination half life
10. Olanzapine - ANSWER antipsychotic used as combo therapy
to prevent CINV
when used for short term tx is well tolerated
sedation only adverse effect
11. Acute CINV - ANSWER within 24 hours after chemo
12. Delayed CINV - ANSWER >24 hrs after chemo
13. Anticipatory CINV - ANSWER before chemo
, 14. Minimal Chemo CINV Risk - ANSWER No tx, no
prophylaxis
15. Prophylaxis for minimal risk CINV - ANSWER single dose
of 5-HT3 antagonist or 8mg of dex
16. Acute tx of moderate risk CINV - ANSWER 5-HT3
antagonist + dexamethasone
17. Delayed tx of moderate risk CINV - ANSWER dex days 2 &
3 for agents with known risk for delayed CINV
18. Acute tx of High Risk CINV - ANSWER NK1 receptor
antagonist
5 HT3
dex
olanzapine
19. Delayed tx of High Risk CINV - ANSWER if aprepitant
continue days 2 & 3
continue dex days 2-4 for non AC highly emetogenic regimens
olanzapine days 2-4
20. PONV Risk Factors - ANSWER Female, nonsmoking status,
hx of PONV or motion sickness, anesthetic factors, surgical factors