Pharmacology CNS Drugs Exam Questions And
Correct Answers
Tolerance - Answer state where one must increase the dose of a drug in order to
achieve or maintain the desired effect
(all narcotics, barbiturates, alcohol, tobacco)
2 types of tolerance:
metabolic
receptor - Answer Metabolic: enzymes system working differently; breaking the drug
down faster; eliminating the drug faster so increase in dose to keep the therapeutic
level
Receptor: through up regulation or down regulation of receptors and thereby altering
the requirement for various drugs
Drug abuse - Question difficult to define; implies chronic use and social disapproval; use
of drug that is inconsistent with medical or social norms
Physical dependence - Question an adaptive physiological state that occurs after
administration of a drug that manifest itself by physical disturbances when the drug is
withdrawn - withdrawal syndrome
Psychological dependence Answers a state of emotional reliance upon a drugs in order
to maintain a state of well-being. Tolerance, if it does occur, is of the "metabolic" type so
there are no withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal syndrome - A group of signs and symptoms that appear in physical
dependent individuals when they stop their use of the drug. The effect of withdrawal is
usually opposite of the known effect of the drug.
,In fact, dependence causing drugs usually are? - Both physical dependence and
psychological dependence simultaneously. They are on a continuum between the two
extremes w/ features of both
Because addiction deals with "compulsion" to "self-administer" a drug, many agents
that have strong psychological "hooks" are very addicting even though their degree of
physical dependence is not that high - Answer Degree of physical dependence is NOT
equivalent with degree of addiction
How does the CNS stimulants work? - Answer substances increase the excitability of the
CNS
what are the 3 types of stimulants discussed in class? - 1. amphetamines
2. Xanthines
3. Cocaine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Responses observed upon administration: - 1. increased alertness, wakefulness,
decreased fatigue
2. euphoria
3. decreased appetite, but not psychological eating
Amphetamines stimulant:
Mechanism of action: - increase norepi and dopamine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Therapeutic uses - 1. narcolepsy
2. weight control
3. attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder ADHD
, Amphetamines stimulant:
what medication is used most often to treat ADHD?
MOA? - Answer Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is used most often
MOA:
increase norepi and dopamine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Side or toxic effect in ADHD kids - Answer 1. sleeplessness, excessive crying, etc.
2. suppression of growth that can be reversed if quit before bone closure
Amphetamines stimulant:
Side or toxic effects - Answer 1. CNS - nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness
2. Cardiovascular - increased h.r., b.p., and possibly arrhythmias
3. weight loss and malnutrition
4. bone marrow suppression
Amphetaments stimulant:
Contraindications/Cautions - Answer Contraindications:
1. Insomnia or psychological disorders
2. Hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia
3. Anorexia
Precautions: dependency and abuse
Drug interactions: anticholinergics, anticoagulant, anticonvulsants, tricyclic
antidepressants
- generally will need a dosage adjustment
Correct Answers
Tolerance - Answer state where one must increase the dose of a drug in order to
achieve or maintain the desired effect
(all narcotics, barbiturates, alcohol, tobacco)
2 types of tolerance:
metabolic
receptor - Answer Metabolic: enzymes system working differently; breaking the drug
down faster; eliminating the drug faster so increase in dose to keep the therapeutic
level
Receptor: through up regulation or down regulation of receptors and thereby altering
the requirement for various drugs
Drug abuse - Question difficult to define; implies chronic use and social disapproval; use
of drug that is inconsistent with medical or social norms
Physical dependence - Question an adaptive physiological state that occurs after
administration of a drug that manifest itself by physical disturbances when the drug is
withdrawn - withdrawal syndrome
Psychological dependence Answers a state of emotional reliance upon a drugs in order
to maintain a state of well-being. Tolerance, if it does occur, is of the "metabolic" type so
there are no withdrawal symptoms
Withdrawal syndrome - A group of signs and symptoms that appear in physical
dependent individuals when they stop their use of the drug. The effect of withdrawal is
usually opposite of the known effect of the drug.
,In fact, dependence causing drugs usually are? - Both physical dependence and
psychological dependence simultaneously. They are on a continuum between the two
extremes w/ features of both
Because addiction deals with "compulsion" to "self-administer" a drug, many agents
that have strong psychological "hooks" are very addicting even though their degree of
physical dependence is not that high - Answer Degree of physical dependence is NOT
equivalent with degree of addiction
How does the CNS stimulants work? - Answer substances increase the excitability of the
CNS
what are the 3 types of stimulants discussed in class? - 1. amphetamines
2. Xanthines
3. Cocaine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Responses observed upon administration: - 1. increased alertness, wakefulness,
decreased fatigue
2. euphoria
3. decreased appetite, but not psychological eating
Amphetamines stimulant:
Mechanism of action: - increase norepi and dopamine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Therapeutic uses - 1. narcolepsy
2. weight control
3. attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder ADHD
, Amphetamines stimulant:
what medication is used most often to treat ADHD?
MOA? - Answer Methylphenidate (Ritalin) is used most often
MOA:
increase norepi and dopamine
Amphetamines stimulant:
Side or toxic effect in ADHD kids - Answer 1. sleeplessness, excessive crying, etc.
2. suppression of growth that can be reversed if quit before bone closure
Amphetamines stimulant:
Side or toxic effects - Answer 1. CNS - nervousness, anxiety, sleeplessness
2. Cardiovascular - increased h.r., b.p., and possibly arrhythmias
3. weight loss and malnutrition
4. bone marrow suppression
Amphetaments stimulant:
Contraindications/Cautions - Answer Contraindications:
1. Insomnia or psychological disorders
2. Hypertension, cardiac arrhythmia
3. Anorexia
Precautions: dependency and abuse
Drug interactions: anticholinergics, anticoagulant, anticonvulsants, tricyclic
antidepressants
- generally will need a dosage adjustment
