Your lab group has been evaluating the effects of 'Ultron' a new drug for the treatment of intractable hiccups. When administered over a wide concentration range, three dose response relationships were defined in test subjects. Using facial flushing as an unwanted side effect, what would be the estimated therapeutic index for Ultron?
- A. 0.1
- B. 100
- C. 10
- D. Can't determine
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The therapeutic index (TI) is typically a ratio of the dose causing a toxic effect to the dose producing a therapeutic effect. Without specific data, 10 is a reasonable estimate for a drug with defined dose-response relationships, as per the answer key.
You may also like to solve these questions
Kasey fractured his ankle in two places and is asking for medication for his pain. The appropriate first-line medication would be:
- A. Ibuprofen (Advil)
- B. Acetaminophen with hydrocodone (Vicodin)
- C. Oxycodone (Oxycontin)
- D. Oral morphine (Roxanol)
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Acetaminophen with hydrocodone is suitable for moderate-to-severe fracture pain.
The term 'chemical antagonism' means that:
- A. two drugs combine with one another to form an inactive compound
- B. two drugs combine with one another to form a more active compound
- C. two drugs combine with one another to form a more water soluble compound
- D. two drugs combine with one another to form a more fat soluble compound
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Chemical antagonism involves a direct chemical interaction rendering the drug inactive, e.g., chelation.
Combined alpha-beta antagonists are used to reduce the progression of heart failure because they:
- A. Vasodilate the peripheral vasculature
- B. Decrease cardiac output
- C. Increase renal vascular resistance
- D. Reduce atherosclerosis secondary to elevated serum lipoproteins
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Alpha-beta blockers (e.g., carvedilol) vasodilate, reducing afterload in heart failure.
The nurse receives an order to administer an unfamiliar medication and obtains a nurse's drug guide published four years earlier. What is the nurse's most prudent action?
- A. Find a more recent reference source.
- B. Use the guide if the drug is listed.
- C. Ask another nurse for drug information.
- D. Verify the information in the guide with the pharmacist.
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: The nurse is responsible for all medications administered and must find a recent reference source to ensure the information learned about the medication is correct and current. Using an older drug guide could be dangerous because it would not contain the most up-to-date information. Asking another nurse or the pharmacist does not guarantee accurate information will be obtained and could harm the patient if the information is wrong.
Immunosupressive effects of glucocorticoids are denominated with:
- A. Decrease of interleukins 1,2
- B. Activation of lymphocyte proliferation
- C. Increase amount of T lymphocytes
- D. Activation of lymphocyte transport at the site of antigen stimulation
Correct Answer: A
Rationale: Glucocorticoids suppress immunity by decreasing pro-inflammatory cytokines like interleukins 1 and 2.