,BIOD 351 Module 5 | Pharmacology | Portage Learning
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which medication class is considered the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm in asthma?
A) Inhaled corticosteroids
B) Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
C) Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Correct Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
Rationale: SABAs such as albuterol are the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm due to their
rapid onset of action (within minutes). They work by relaxing airway smooth muscle through beta-2
receptor stimulation. Inhaled corticosteroids are used for long-term control, not acute relief.
2. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. What is the primary mechanism of
action of this drug class?
A) Bronchodilation via beta-2 receptor stimulation
B) Anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory mediators
C) Blocking leukotriene receptors
D) Mast cell stabilization
Correct Answer: Anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory mediators
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation by suppressing multiple inflammatory
mediators, including cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. They do not provide immediate
bronchodilation but are the most effective long-term control medications for persistent asthma.
3. A patient with COPD is prescribed a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Which drug is classified
as a LAMA?
A) Albuterol
,B) Tiotropium
C) Fluticasone
D) Montelukast
Correct Answer: Tiotropium
Rationale: Tiotropium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) used in the maintenance treatment
of COPD and asthma. It works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways, leading to
bronchodilation. Albuterol is a SABA, fluticasone is a corticosteroid, and montelukast is a leukotriene
receptor antagonist.
4. Which statement about the use of long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) in asthma is TRUE?
A) LABAs are first-line therapy for acute asthma exacerbations
B) LABAs should be used as monotherapy for asthma
C) LABAs should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma
D) LABAs are preferred over SABAs for acute bronchospasm
Correct Answer: LABAs should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma
Rationale: LABAs (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol) should always be used in combination with an inhaled
corticosteroid for asthma due to the increased risk of asthma-related death with LABA monotherapy.
They are not first-line for acute exacerbations; SABAs are preferred for acute relief.
5. Theophylline is a bronchodilator that belongs to which drug class?
A) Beta-2 agonist
B) Anticholinergic
C) Methylxanthine
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Correct Answer: Methylxanthine
, Rationale: Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator that works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase
and blocking adenosine receptors. It has a narrow therapeutic index and requires monitoring of serum
levels due to the risk of toxicity. It is used less frequently now due to its side effect profile.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with theophylline therapy?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Nausea and vomiting
D) Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Theophylline commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress, especially at
higher doses. Other adverse effects include tachycardia, arrhythmias, and seizures. Due to its narrow
therapeutic index, serum levels must be monitored to avoid toxicity.
7. A patient with asthma is prescribed montelukast. What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Beta-2 receptor agonist
B) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
C) Phosphodiesterase inhibitor
D) Mast cell stabilizer
Correct Answer: Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that blocks the action of leukotrienes at the
receptor level. It is used for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. It is
not effective for acute bronchospasm.
8. Which medication is a mast cell stabilizer used for asthma prophylaxis?
A) Albuterol
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which medication class is considered the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm in asthma?
A) Inhaled corticosteroids
B) Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
C) Long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs)
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Correct Answer: Short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs)
Rationale: SABAs such as albuterol are the first-line treatment for acute bronchospasm due to their
rapid onset of action (within minutes). They work by relaxing airway smooth muscle through beta-2
receptor stimulation. Inhaled corticosteroids are used for long-term control, not acute relief.
2. A patient with asthma is prescribed an inhaled corticosteroid. What is the primary mechanism of
action of this drug class?
A) Bronchodilation via beta-2 receptor stimulation
B) Anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory mediators
C) Blocking leukotriene receptors
D) Mast cell stabilization
Correct Answer: Anti-inflammatory effects by suppressing inflammatory mediators
Rationale: Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway inflammation by suppressing multiple inflammatory
mediators, including cytokines, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. They do not provide immediate
bronchodilation but are the most effective long-term control medications for persistent asthma.
3. A patient with COPD is prescribed a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA). Which drug is classified
as a LAMA?
A) Albuterol
,B) Tiotropium
C) Fluticasone
D) Montelukast
Correct Answer: Tiotropium
Rationale: Tiotropium is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist (LAMA) used in the maintenance treatment
of COPD and asthma. It works by blocking muscarinic receptors in the airways, leading to
bronchodilation. Albuterol is a SABA, fluticasone is a corticosteroid, and montelukast is a leukotriene
receptor antagonist.
4. Which statement about the use of long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs) in asthma is TRUE?
A) LABAs are first-line therapy for acute asthma exacerbations
B) LABAs should be used as monotherapy for asthma
C) LABAs should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma
D) LABAs are preferred over SABAs for acute bronchospasm
Correct Answer: LABAs should always be used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid for asthma
Rationale: LABAs (e.g., salmeterol, formoterol) should always be used in combination with an inhaled
corticosteroid for asthma due to the increased risk of asthma-related death with LABA monotherapy.
They are not first-line for acute exacerbations; SABAs are preferred for acute relief.
5. Theophylline is a bronchodilator that belongs to which drug class?
A) Beta-2 agonist
B) Anticholinergic
C) Methylxanthine
D) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Correct Answer: Methylxanthine
, Rationale: Theophylline is a methylxanthine bronchodilator that works by inhibiting phosphodiesterase
and blocking adenosine receptors. It has a narrow therapeutic index and requires monitoring of serum
levels due to the risk of toxicity. It is used less frequently now due to its side effect profile.
6. Which adverse effect is commonly associated with theophylline therapy?
A) Bradycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Nausea and vomiting
D) Bronchospasm
Correct Answer: Nausea and vomiting
Rationale: Theophylline commonly causes nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal distress, especially at
higher doses. Other adverse effects include tachycardia, arrhythmias, and seizures. Due to its narrow
therapeutic index, serum levels must be monitored to avoid toxicity.
7. A patient with asthma is prescribed montelukast. What is the mechanism of action of this medication?
A) Beta-2 receptor agonist
B) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
C) Phosphodiesterase inhibitor
D) Mast cell stabilizer
Correct Answer: Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Rationale: Montelukast is a leukotriene receptor antagonist that blocks the action of leukotrienes at the
receptor level. It is used for the prophylaxis and chronic treatment of asthma and allergic rhinitis. It is
not effective for acute bronchospasm.
8. Which medication is a mast cell stabilizer used for asthma prophylaxis?
A) Albuterol
