,BIOD 351 Module 8 | Pharmacology | Portage Learning
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which term describes the phenomenon in which a drug's effectiveness is significantly reduced
following its prolonged use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect?
A) Physical dependence
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Drug abuse
Correct Answer: Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, requiring more of the drug to receive the
same result. This is different from physical dependence, which is a need to continue taking a drug to
avoid withdrawal symptoms, and addiction, which is a chronic neurobiological disease involving
compulsive drug use despite harm.
2. A patient who has been taking an opioid for chronic pain for several months now requires a higher
dose to achieve the same level of pain relief. This patient is experiencing:
A) Drug addiction
B) Physical dependence
C) Tolerance
D) Drug abuse
Correct Answer: Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance is defined as the need for a higher dose of a drug than usual because of repeated
usage. This physiological adaptation is distinct from physical dependence (relying on the drug to avoid
withdrawal) and addiction (compulsive use despite harm).
3. Which of the following best describes physical dependence on a drug?
,A) A chronic neurobiological disease characterized by compulsive drug use
B) A need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted side-effects of its absence
C) The use of a drug for non-medical purposes
D) A decreased effect after repeated administration of a drug
Correct Answer: A need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted side-effects of its absence
Rationale: Physical dependence is defined as a need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted
side-effects of its absence, which are withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a chronic neurobiological
disease involving compulsive use. Tolerance is a decreased effect after repeated administration.
4. Which of the following is a common side effect associated with opioids that does NOT dissipate over
time?
A) Nausea
B) Respiratory depression
C) Constipation
D) Sedation
Correct Answer: Constipation
Rationale: Constipation is a common side effect associated with opioids that does not dissipate over
time. Tolerance does not develop to opioid-induced constipation, meaning patients require ongoing
management with stool softeners and laxatives throughout opioid therapy.
5. Which of the following is an example of an opioid that is considered more potent than morphine?
A) Codeine
B) Hydrocodone
C) Fentanyl
D) Tramadol
, Correct Answer: Fentanyl
Rationale: Fentanyl is an opioid that is considered significantly more potent than morphine. It is
approximately 50 to 100 times more potent and is used for severe pain management, particularly in
surgical and palliative care settings. This potency requires careful dosing to avoid respiratory depression.
6. A patient with diabetic neuropathy is experiencing burning pain in their feet. This type of pain is best
classified as:
A) Nociceptive pain
B) Neuropathic pain
C) Inflammatory pain
D) Somatic pain
Correct Answer: Neuropathic pain
Rationale: Neuropathic pain results from a damaged nervous system or damaged nerve cells. Diabetic
neuropathy is a classic example of neuropathic pain. This type of pain does not typically respond well to
opioids or NSAIDs and is difficult to treat.
7. Which medication is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Gabapentin
C) Acetaminophen
D) Hydrocodone
Correct Answer: Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that stabilizes nerve membranes, making it effective for
neuropathic pain such as shingles or diabetic neuropathy. Unlike ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or
hydrocodone, gabapentin targets the neurological origin of neuropathic pain.
| Questions & Verified Answers | 2026 Edition
1. Which term describes the phenomenon in which a drug's effectiveness is significantly reduced
following its prolonged use, requiring higher doses to achieve the same effect?
A) Physical dependence
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Drug abuse
Correct Answer: Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when the body adapts to a drug, requiring more of the drug to receive the
same result. This is different from physical dependence, which is a need to continue taking a drug to
avoid withdrawal symptoms, and addiction, which is a chronic neurobiological disease involving
compulsive drug use despite harm.
2. A patient who has been taking an opioid for chronic pain for several months now requires a higher
dose to achieve the same level of pain relief. This patient is experiencing:
A) Drug addiction
B) Physical dependence
C) Tolerance
D) Drug abuse
Correct Answer: Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance is defined as the need for a higher dose of a drug than usual because of repeated
usage. This physiological adaptation is distinct from physical dependence (relying on the drug to avoid
withdrawal) and addiction (compulsive use despite harm).
3. Which of the following best describes physical dependence on a drug?
,A) A chronic neurobiological disease characterized by compulsive drug use
B) A need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted side-effects of its absence
C) The use of a drug for non-medical purposes
D) A decreased effect after repeated administration of a drug
Correct Answer: A need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted side-effects of its absence
Rationale: Physical dependence is defined as a need to continue taking a drug to avoid the unwanted
side-effects of its absence, which are withdrawal symptoms. Addiction is a chronic neurobiological
disease involving compulsive use. Tolerance is a decreased effect after repeated administration.
4. Which of the following is a common side effect associated with opioids that does NOT dissipate over
time?
A) Nausea
B) Respiratory depression
C) Constipation
D) Sedation
Correct Answer: Constipation
Rationale: Constipation is a common side effect associated with opioids that does not dissipate over
time. Tolerance does not develop to opioid-induced constipation, meaning patients require ongoing
management with stool softeners and laxatives throughout opioid therapy.
5. Which of the following is an example of an opioid that is considered more potent than morphine?
A) Codeine
B) Hydrocodone
C) Fentanyl
D) Tramadol
, Correct Answer: Fentanyl
Rationale: Fentanyl is an opioid that is considered significantly more potent than morphine. It is
approximately 50 to 100 times more potent and is used for severe pain management, particularly in
surgical and palliative care settings. This potency requires careful dosing to avoid respiratory depression.
6. A patient with diabetic neuropathy is experiencing burning pain in their feet. This type of pain is best
classified as:
A) Nociceptive pain
B) Neuropathic pain
C) Inflammatory pain
D) Somatic pain
Correct Answer: Neuropathic pain
Rationale: Neuropathic pain results from a damaged nervous system or damaged nerve cells. Diabetic
neuropathy is a classic example of neuropathic pain. This type of pain does not typically respond well to
opioids or NSAIDs and is difficult to treat.
7. Which medication is commonly used to treat neuropathic pain?
A) Ibuprofen
B) Gabapentin
C) Acetaminophen
D) Hydrocodone
Correct Answer: Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is an anticonvulsant that stabilizes nerve membranes, making it effective for
neuropathic pain such as shingles or diabetic neuropathy. Unlike ibuprofen, acetaminophen, or
hydrocodone, gabapentin targets the neurological origin of neuropathic pain.
