Pilocarpine is used in the treatment of:
- A. Heart failure
- B. Bronchial asthma
- C. Urinary obstruction
- D. Glaucoma
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: Pilocarpine is a parasympathomimetic agent that stimulates the muscarinic receptors in the eye, causing pupillary constriction and reducing intraocular pressure. This mechanism of action makes it effective in treating glaucoma. Heart failure (A), bronchial asthma (B), and urinary obstruction (C) are not indications for pilocarpine use based on its pharmacological properties and effects.
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Which organ is responsible for synthesizing ANP?
- A. the heart
- B. the kidney
- C. the skin
- D. the spleen
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A: the heart. Atrial Natriuretic Peptide (ANP) is synthesized and released by the atrial cells of the heart in response to stretching of the atrial wall due to increased blood volume or pressure. ANP functions to regulate blood pressure and fluid balance by promoting natriuresis and vasodilation. The kidney (choice B) is responsible for filtering blood and regulating electrolyte balance, but it does not synthesize ANP. The skin (choice C) is involved in thermoregulation and vitamin D synthesis, not ANP production. The spleen (choice D) plays a role in immune function and blood storage, but it does not synthesize ANP.
Complete the following sentence: Calcium homeostasis is controlled by…
- A. Insulin
- B. Erythropoietin
- C. Aldosterone
- D. Parathyroid hormone
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Parathyroid hormone. Parathyroid hormone plays a crucial role in regulating calcium homeostasis by increasing calcium levels in the blood through various mechanisms. It promotes calcium release from bones, enhances calcium absorption in the intestines, and reduces calcium excretion from the kidneys. Insulin (Choice A) primarily regulates blood sugar levels, not calcium. Erythropoietin (Choice B) stimulates red blood cell production and does not directly affect calcium homeostasis. Aldosterone (Choice C) regulates sodium and potassium balance but not calcium levels. Thus, Parathyroid hormone is the correct choice for controlling calcium homeostasis.
Which of the following is descriptive of prolactin?
- A. Secreted by the posterior pituitary gland.
- B. Also called lactogenic hormone.
- C. Causes the milk let-down reflex.
- D. Stimulates the neurohypophysis to synthesize oxytocin.
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Step-by-step rationale:
1. Prolactin is also called lactogenic hormone, as it promotes milk production in the mammary glands.
2. Secreted by the anterior pituitary gland, not the posterior pituitary gland.
3. Milk let-down reflex is primarily controlled by oxytocin, not prolactin.
4. Prolactin does not stimulate the neurohypophysis (posterior pituitary) to synthesize oxytocin.
Summary:
Choice B is correct because it accurately describes the function of prolactin in promoting lactation. Choices A, C, and D are incorrect due to inaccuracies in the functions and secretion of prolactin.
A 43-year-old woman with diagnosed myasthenia gravis presents with profound skeletal muscle weakness. We are unsure whether she is experiencing a cholinergic crisis or a myasthenic crisis, so we administer a usually appropriate dose of parenteral edrophonium. Assume the patient was actually experiencing a cholinergic crisis. Which of the following is the most likely response to the drug?
- A. Hypertensive crisis from peripheral vascular constriction
- B. Myocardial ischemia, and angina, from drug-induced tachycardia and coronary vasoconstriction
- C. Premature ventricular contractions from increased ventricular automaticity
- D. Ventilatory distress or failure
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: The correct answer is D: Ventilatory distress or failure. Edrophonium is a short-acting acetylcholinesterase inhibitor used to differentiate between myasthenic and cholinergic crises. In a cholinergic crisis, which is an excess of acetylcholine, administering edrophonium can worsen symptoms due to further acetylcholine accumulation. This can lead to excessive stimulation of the respiratory muscles, resulting in ventilatory distress or failure.
Choice A is incorrect because cholinergic crisis typically causes hypotension, not hypertension. Choice B is incorrect because edrophonium-induced tachycardia can worsen myocardial ischemia, not angina. Choice C is incorrect because increased ventricular automaticity would not be a common response to edrophonium in a cholinergic crisis.
Which one of the following properties makes labetalol different from nearly all the other β-blockers on the market?
- A. Also blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors
- B. Causes strong atropine-like side effects, has same side effects as atropine
- C. Only blocks β1 receptors
- D. Safe for asthmatics because it lacks β2 blocking activity
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The correct answer is A because labetalol is unique among most β-blockers as it also blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors. This dual action results in vasodilation and reduced blood pressure. Choice B is incorrect as labetalol does not cause atropine-like side effects. Choice C is incorrect as labetalol blocks both β1 and β2 receptors. Choice D is also incorrect as labetalol does have some β2 blocking activity, making it not entirely safe for asthmatics.