Pharmacology worksheet with answers

What is a "broad-spectrum" antibiotic?

1. AOne that acts against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
2. BOne that is taken for a long time at low dose to prevent any infection
3. COne that also treats viral and fungal infections
4. DOne that is given only intravenously in hospital

Psyllium (ispaghula husk) is which type of laxative?

1. AStool softener
2. BBulk-forming
3. CStimulant
4. DOsmotic

Mesalazine (mesalamine) is used mainly to treat:

1. AGallstones
2. BIrritable bowel syndrome with constipation
3. CUlcerative colitis
4. DPeptic ulcer

A nurse has a needlestick injury from a patient with HIV. When should post-exposure prophylaxis start?

1. AOnly after the nurse's HIV test turns positive
2. BAs soon as possible, and within 72 hours at the latest
3. COnly if the patient's viral load is above a set level
4. DAfter one week, when the risk of infection is clearer

A partial agonist is given together with a high dose of a full agonist. What happens to the response?

1. AIt falls, because the partial agonist competes for the receptors
2. BIt rises above the maximum of the full agonist
3. CIt doubles, because both drugs activate the receptor
4. DIt stays exactly the same as with the high dose of full agonist alone

Which is a well-known adverse effect of long-term oral corticosteroids?

1. AOsteoporosis
2. BWeight loss
3. CHypoglycaemia
4. DLow blood pressure

Why do infants absorb more of a topical corticosteroid than adults?

1. AThey have more skin area per kilogram and thinner skin
2. BTheir skin contains no blood vessels
3. CTheir liver changes the cream into a much stronger form
4. DInfants do not absorb topical drugs at all

The clearance of a drug falls to half because of kidney failure, while its volume of distribution stays the same. What happens to its half-life?

1. AIt stays the same
2. BIt doubles
3. CIt increases fourfold
4. DIt halves