Clinical Pharmacology Final Exam 2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED ANSWERS READY TO PASS GRADED A+

Clinical Pharmacology Final Exam
2025/2026 QUESTIONS WITH VERIFIED
ANSWERS READY TO PASS GRADED A+




3 physiological characteristics of asthma that cause symptoms - CORRECT ANSWER -
-Inflammation
Airway hyperresponsiveness
Airway obstruction

Goals of asthma tx in terms of reduction of SABA use - CORRECT ANSWER --Goal is
to prevent SABA use >2x/week

Intermittent asthma tx - CORRECT ANSWER --SABA PRN only

Persistent asthma tx - CORRECT ANSWER --Depends on severity -- at least ICS +
SABA PRN

Step 1 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is it? - CORRECT ANSWER --Intermittent asthma only

SABA PRN

Step 2 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is preferred?
-Alternative therapies - CORRECT ANSWER --Persistent asthma

Low dose ICS

or...

,Cromolyn
LTRA
Nedocromil
Theophylline

Step 3 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is preferred?
-Alternative therapies - CORRECT ANSWER --Persistent asthma

Low dose ICS + LABA or Medium dose ICS

or...

Low dose ICS + LTRA/Theo/Zileuton

Step 4 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is preferred?
-Alternative therapies - CORRECT ANSWER --Persistent asthma

Medium dose ICS + LABA

or...

Med ICS + LTRA/Theo/Zileuton

Step 5 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is preferred? - CORRECT ANSWER --Persistent asthma

High dose ICS + LABA and...

Omalizumab if allergies

Step 6 Asthma therapy

-Who is this for?
-What is preferred? - CORRECT ANSWER --Persistent asthma

High dose ICS + LABA + oral corticosteroid and...

Omalizumab if allergic

,When should an asthma patient be seen in primary care vs. by an asthma specialist? -
CORRECT ANSWER --Primary care if Step 1-3

Consult asthma specialist at Step 3

Asthma specialist should take over care if Step 4-6

What is considered "inadequate control" of asthma symptoms? - CORRECT ANSWER -
-Need for SABA use >2 days/week (as symptom control, not preventive for exercise-
induced)

How should you be using SABAs? - CORRECT ANSWER --Everyone with asthma gets
one -- can be used 3x at 20-minute intervals

Short-Acting Beta2 Receptor Agonists

Used for... (2)
Name the drugs (3)
Routes
Onset and duration - CORRECT ANSWER --Used for acute bronchospasm (rescue
inhaler) and prevention of exercise-induced asthma

Albuterol (ProAir, Proventil)
Levalbuterol (Xopenex)
Pirbuterol (Maxair)

A and L can be nebs
All come as inhalers

A and L: 10 minute onset, 3-4 hour duration
P: 30 minute onset, 5 hour duration

Long-Acting Beta2 Receptor Agonists

Usage (when/how)
Name the drugs (2)
Warning
Routes
Onset and duration - CORRECT ANSWER --Used in combination with inhaled
corticosteroids for LONG-TERM control of asthma (Step 3+)

Salmetrol (Serevent) - powder inhaler
Formoterol (Foradil) - capsule inhaler or neb

BBW: used without ICS increases risk of asthma-related death

, Onset: up to 2 hours
Duration: 12 hours

3 combo LABA+ICS drug names - CORRECT ANSWER --Salmeterol + Fluticasone
(Advair)
Formoterol + Budesonide (Symbicort)
Formoterol + Mometasone (Dulera)

Inhaled corticosteroids

What do they do?
Name a few
AEs - CORRECT ANSWER --Direct local anti-inflammatory activity --> reduction in
airway hyperresponsiveness, inhibit inflammatory cell migration and activation

Beclomethasone dipropionate (QVar)
Budesonide (Pulmicort)
Fluticasone (Flovent)
Mometasone (Asmanex)

AE:
-Oral candidiasis
-Delayed growth velocity in peds?

Anticholinergic agents

MoA
When indicated?
How to use?
Names (2) and routes
AEs - CORRECT ANSWER --MoA: Inhibit muscarinic cholinergic receptors --> reduced
airway tone

Used in combination with a SABA as quick relief of moderate-severe exacerbation (can
be used without SABA if intolerant)

Ipratropium (Atrovent) - MDI or neb
Tiotropium (Spiriva) - capsule inhaler

AEs: blurred vision, dry mouth, tachycardia

Leukotriene inhibitors

MoAs (2)
Names (3)