Pharmacology Final 2005 Study Guide
Exam Questions and All Correct
Answers (2025) Updated.
histamine 2 antagonist action - Answer - action: blocks h2 receptors from producing HCl
resulting in decreased volume of acid secreted
- includes cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepsit)
- ends in ~tidine
- used fro treat GERD, duodenal and stress ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
hydrochloric acid - Answer - can cause GERD and heart burn
- breaks down food (not digest)
- protects stomach from germs
- more H+ = more acidic
- no food in stomach can cause acid to hurt stomach tissues, more production of it if eating big
meal
- no HCl causes indigestion
heart burn antacid calcium, magnesium, etc. - Answer - calcium/tums: small medication for
antacid, large medication for bones, can cause constipation if too large of a dose, and can cause
hypercalcemia
- magnesium: side effect of diarrhea, used for laxatives depending on dosage, can be antacid or
laxative (5ml - antacid vs 15 ml - laxative)
- sodium bicarbonate: baking soda, sodium increases hypertension, only use for urgent cases as
a quick remedy
- aluminum is not used in Canada
histamine 1 - Answer - used for allergies
histamine 2 - Answer - stimulates stomach cells to produce HCl
histamine 2 antagonist nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess for allergies (histamine 1),
contraindications: impaired renal or hepatic function
,antacid action - Answer - buffers hydrochloric acid to a lower concentration
- treats heartburn from excessive eating and drinking
- treats acute ulcer, large volumes
- includes aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate (Tums), magnesium oxide (milk of magnesia),
sodium bicabronate
antacid nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess use of OTC antacids and reasoning,
auscultate bowel sounds, assess mucous membrane
- monitor electrolytes and renal function, bowel patterns; constipated or diarrhea?
- teach patient to administer drug one hour before or two hours after other oral meds, don't
take with antibiotics or iron products to avoid drug-drug interaction
- teach patient about potential acid rebound
proton pump inhibitors action - Answer - inhibits gastric secretion by inhibiting gastric acid
pump of the parietal cells
- treats severe esophagitis, GERD, gastric and duodenal ulcers
- includes esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (pantoloc, tecta), rabeprzazole (pariet),
lansoprazole (Prevacid - children) ~ prazole
proton pump inhibitors nursing responsibilities - Answer - teach patient that it works best
when taken 30 minutes before meal
- drug to drug interactions with benzodiazepines (sedative), phenytoin, warfarin, ketoconzaline
(respiratory), theophylline (Bronchodilator)
large intestine - Answer - accumulates good bacteria
- absorption of unhealthy food destroys good bacteria
- can cause diarrhea
constipation and diarrhea - Answer - constipation reasons: not enough water, slow peristalsis
- diarrhea causes: too much water and too much peristalsis, losing fluid and destroys balance of
electrolytes, becomes dehydrated
- antidiarrheal absorb water and decrease rate of peristalsis
- antidiarrheals:
, sulcralfate (carafate) - Answer - gastrointestinal protectant
- bandages ulcers created by HCl and pepsin (digestion of protein), ulcers can create cancer if
left untreated
stomach stimulants - Answer - increases peristalsis: metoproclamide, domperidone
- gas reliever: simethicone
chemical stimulants action - Answer - directly words on intestines; causes irritations that
promote peristalsis and excretion, relieves acute constipation
- examples: bisacodyl (corrector, dulcolax, modane), sennosides, senna (creates painful
peristalsis), A&B (ex-lax)
bulk stimulants action - Answer - draws water into intestine from surrounding tissues, creates
peristalsis safely, relieves acute constipation
- examples: polyethylene glycol (Colyte, go-LYTELY, miralax), lactulose liquid (cephulac), psyllium
(Metamucil), milk of magnesia (must shake)
lubricants action - Answer - lubricates intestinal wall, slowing for smooth passage of fecal
contents, makes stool softer
- used as prophylactic (prevention of disease) who should not strain during defecation
- example: docusate (colace)
laxatives nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess and monitor bowel patterns
antidiarrheals action - Answer - locally: absorbs excess water to cause a formed stool and
absorb irritants or bacteria causing diarrhea
- systemic: acts through autonomic system to reduce peristalsis and motility of GI tract, allows
mucosal lining to absorb nutrients, water, and electrolytes, and leaves a formed stool
- treats sudden-onset diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and post-GI surgery, absorbs water
and decreases rate of peristalsis
- examples: local: loperamide (Imodium, slows down peristalsis), bismuth subsalicylate (pepto-
bismol)
- systemic: opium derivatives (narcotic, side effect of constipation can be therapeutic)
Exam Questions and All Correct
Answers (2025) Updated.
histamine 2 antagonist action - Answer - action: blocks h2 receptors from producing HCl
resulting in decreased volume of acid secreted
- includes cimetidine (Tagamet), ranitidine (Zantac), Famotidine (Pepsit)
- ends in ~tidine
- used fro treat GERD, duodenal and stress ulcers, Zollinger-Ellison syndrome
hydrochloric acid - Answer - can cause GERD and heart burn
- breaks down food (not digest)
- protects stomach from germs
- more H+ = more acidic
- no food in stomach can cause acid to hurt stomach tissues, more production of it if eating big
meal
- no HCl causes indigestion
heart burn antacid calcium, magnesium, etc. - Answer - calcium/tums: small medication for
antacid, large medication for bones, can cause constipation if too large of a dose, and can cause
hypercalcemia
- magnesium: side effect of diarrhea, used for laxatives depending on dosage, can be antacid or
laxative (5ml - antacid vs 15 ml - laxative)
- sodium bicarbonate: baking soda, sodium increases hypertension, only use for urgent cases as
a quick remedy
- aluminum is not used in Canada
histamine 1 - Answer - used for allergies
histamine 2 - Answer - stimulates stomach cells to produce HCl
histamine 2 antagonist nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess for allergies (histamine 1),
contraindications: impaired renal or hepatic function
,antacid action - Answer - buffers hydrochloric acid to a lower concentration
- treats heartburn from excessive eating and drinking
- treats acute ulcer, large volumes
- includes aluminum hydroxide, calcium carbonate (Tums), magnesium oxide (milk of magnesia),
sodium bicabronate
antacid nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess use of OTC antacids and reasoning,
auscultate bowel sounds, assess mucous membrane
- monitor electrolytes and renal function, bowel patterns; constipated or diarrhea?
- teach patient to administer drug one hour before or two hours after other oral meds, don't
take with antibiotics or iron products to avoid drug-drug interaction
- teach patient about potential acid rebound
proton pump inhibitors action - Answer - inhibits gastric secretion by inhibiting gastric acid
pump of the parietal cells
- treats severe esophagitis, GERD, gastric and duodenal ulcers
- includes esomeprazole (Nexium), pantoprazole (pantoloc, tecta), rabeprzazole (pariet),
lansoprazole (Prevacid - children) ~ prazole
proton pump inhibitors nursing responsibilities - Answer - teach patient that it works best
when taken 30 minutes before meal
- drug to drug interactions with benzodiazepines (sedative), phenytoin, warfarin, ketoconzaline
(respiratory), theophylline (Bronchodilator)
large intestine - Answer - accumulates good bacteria
- absorption of unhealthy food destroys good bacteria
- can cause diarrhea
constipation and diarrhea - Answer - constipation reasons: not enough water, slow peristalsis
- diarrhea causes: too much water and too much peristalsis, losing fluid and destroys balance of
electrolytes, becomes dehydrated
- antidiarrheal absorb water and decrease rate of peristalsis
- antidiarrheals:
, sulcralfate (carafate) - Answer - gastrointestinal protectant
- bandages ulcers created by HCl and pepsin (digestion of protein), ulcers can create cancer if
left untreated
stomach stimulants - Answer - increases peristalsis: metoproclamide, domperidone
- gas reliever: simethicone
chemical stimulants action - Answer - directly words on intestines; causes irritations that
promote peristalsis and excretion, relieves acute constipation
- examples: bisacodyl (corrector, dulcolax, modane), sennosides, senna (creates painful
peristalsis), A&B (ex-lax)
bulk stimulants action - Answer - draws water into intestine from surrounding tissues, creates
peristalsis safely, relieves acute constipation
- examples: polyethylene glycol (Colyte, go-LYTELY, miralax), lactulose liquid (cephulac), psyllium
(Metamucil), milk of magnesia (must shake)
lubricants action - Answer - lubricates intestinal wall, slowing for smooth passage of fecal
contents, makes stool softer
- used as prophylactic (prevention of disease) who should not strain during defecation
- example: docusate (colace)
laxatives nursing responsibilities - Answer - assess and monitor bowel patterns
antidiarrheals action - Answer - locally: absorbs excess water to cause a formed stool and
absorb irritants or bacteria causing diarrhea
- systemic: acts through autonomic system to reduce peristalsis and motility of GI tract, allows
mucosal lining to absorb nutrients, water, and electrolytes, and leaves a formed stool
- treats sudden-onset diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease, and post-GI surgery, absorbs water
and decreases rate of peristalsis
- examples: local: loperamide (Imodium, slows down peristalsis), bismuth subsalicylate (pepto-
bismol)
- systemic: opium derivatives (narcotic, side effect of constipation can be therapeutic)
