Portage Pharmacology Module 5
Revision Exam Questions Fully Solved
2025-2026 Updated Edition.
What parts of the respiratory tract are considered to be upper respiratory? - Answer From the
nasal cavity to the larynx. This includes the paranasal sinuses, the nostrils, the oral cavity, and
the pharynx.
What parts of the respiratory tract are considered the lower respiratory tract. - Answer From
the trachea down to the diaphragm. To include the bronchial tree, the lungs, the carina of
strachea
What is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)? - Answer It is both emphysema and
chronic bronchitis.
What is chronic bronchitis? - Answer It is chronic inflammation or irritation of the lower
respiratory tract (bronchioles and bronchi) leading to mucus secretions increasing and
thickening which interferes with the gas exchange. Drug therapy can provide relief from
symptoms but damage can be irreversible.
What is asthma? - Answer It is recurrent and reversible shortness of breath resulting from
narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles.
What is a chemical mediator? - Answer It is defined as a substance that is released from mast
cells and white blood cells during inflammation and allergic reactions. They are responsible for
most of the symptoms and complications associated with COPD.
Which chemical mediator are we focusing on? - Answer leukotrienes.
What do leukotrienes do? - Answer They are potent bronchoconstrictors with a long duration
of action. They stimulate receptors responsible for bronchoconstriction, edema, and other
inflammatory actions.
What class of drug are used to counter the effects of leukotrienes? - Answer Leukotriene
inhibitors. They have an important role in treating asthma.
, What is emphysema? - Answer It is when the spaces within the bronchioles enlarge as a result
of the destruction of the alveolar walls. This leads to less surface area for gas exchange.
What causes emphysema? - Answer It is caused by enzymes that are released in response to
inflammation from pollution, tobacco smoke, and other irritants.
What does the enlarged space from emphysema do? - Answer It causes hyperinflation, or the
struggle to expel air making them feel short of breath, over time there is irreversible lung
damage.
What are the three classes of bronchodilators? - Answer beta-adrenergic agonists
anticholinergics
xanthine derivatives
What are bronchodilators? - Answer They are medications that improve air flow by relaxing
the smooth muscle cells in the bronchial leading to dilation and increased air flow.
Which drug is used for short acting relief for an asthma attack? - Answer The short acting Beta
agonists (SABA) used in emergency situations- albuterol, levalbuterol
What are the adverse effects of the beta adrenergic agonists? - Answer Skeletal muscle
tremors and increased heart rate.
What is drug is used as a long term maintenance treatment for asthmatic patients? - Answer
Long acting beta agonists (LABA) - Salmeterol, Formoterol
What do anticholinergic asthma medications do to work? - Answer Prevention of
bronchospasm associated with COPD. Can also be used as a an additional vasodilator for
asthmatics with no symptoms relief from traditional medications.
What are some examples of anticholinergic medications? - Answer ipratropium, and
tiotropium - they are first line treatment for COPD and are also used as add on therapy for
additional bronchodilation in asmtha.
Revision Exam Questions Fully Solved
2025-2026 Updated Edition.
What parts of the respiratory tract are considered to be upper respiratory? - Answer From the
nasal cavity to the larynx. This includes the paranasal sinuses, the nostrils, the oral cavity, and
the pharynx.
What parts of the respiratory tract are considered the lower respiratory tract. - Answer From
the trachea down to the diaphragm. To include the bronchial tree, the lungs, the carina of
strachea
What is COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease)? - Answer It is both emphysema and
chronic bronchitis.
What is chronic bronchitis? - Answer It is chronic inflammation or irritation of the lower
respiratory tract (bronchioles and bronchi) leading to mucus secretions increasing and
thickening which interferes with the gas exchange. Drug therapy can provide relief from
symptoms but damage can be irreversible.
What is asthma? - Answer It is recurrent and reversible shortness of breath resulting from
narrowing of the bronchi and bronchioles.
What is a chemical mediator? - Answer It is defined as a substance that is released from mast
cells and white blood cells during inflammation and allergic reactions. They are responsible for
most of the symptoms and complications associated with COPD.
Which chemical mediator are we focusing on? - Answer leukotrienes.
What do leukotrienes do? - Answer They are potent bronchoconstrictors with a long duration
of action. They stimulate receptors responsible for bronchoconstriction, edema, and other
inflammatory actions.
What class of drug are used to counter the effects of leukotrienes? - Answer Leukotriene
inhibitors. They have an important role in treating asthma.
, What is emphysema? - Answer It is when the spaces within the bronchioles enlarge as a result
of the destruction of the alveolar walls. This leads to less surface area for gas exchange.
What causes emphysema? - Answer It is caused by enzymes that are released in response to
inflammation from pollution, tobacco smoke, and other irritants.
What does the enlarged space from emphysema do? - Answer It causes hyperinflation, or the
struggle to expel air making them feel short of breath, over time there is irreversible lung
damage.
What are the three classes of bronchodilators? - Answer beta-adrenergic agonists
anticholinergics
xanthine derivatives
What are bronchodilators? - Answer They are medications that improve air flow by relaxing
the smooth muscle cells in the bronchial leading to dilation and increased air flow.
Which drug is used for short acting relief for an asthma attack? - Answer The short acting Beta
agonists (SABA) used in emergency situations- albuterol, levalbuterol
What are the adverse effects of the beta adrenergic agonists? - Answer Skeletal muscle
tremors and increased heart rate.
What is drug is used as a long term maintenance treatment for asthmatic patients? - Answer
Long acting beta agonists (LABA) - Salmeterol, Formoterol
What do anticholinergic asthma medications do to work? - Answer Prevention of
bronchospasm associated with COPD. Can also be used as a an additional vasodilator for
asthmatics with no symptoms relief from traditional medications.
What are some examples of anticholinergic medications? - Answer ipratropium, and
tiotropium - they are first line treatment for COPD and are also used as add on therapy for
additional bronchodilation in asmtha.
