A 64-year-old man suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia presented to his physician complaining of generalized itching. The problem began 1 week earlier, after an afternoon of prolonged sun exposure. The patient reported that the itching was distressing, especially during the night. Physical examination showed an enlarged prostate and no other evidence of ongoing disease. Which of the following drugs would be appropriate for this patient?

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: The correct answer is D: Loratadine. Loratadine is a second-generation antihistamine that is commonly used to relieve symptoms of allergies, including itching. In this case, the patient's generalized itching is likely due to an allergic reaction triggered by sun exposure. Loratadine can help alleviate the itching without causing excessive sedation, making it suitable for an elderly patient. A: Cyproheptadine is a first-generation antihistamine that can cause significant sedation and anticholinergic side effects, making it less ideal for an elderly patient. B: Diphenhydramine is also a first-generation antihistamine that can cause sedation and anticholinergic side effects, which may not be well-tolerated by the elderly patient. C: Famotidine is a histamine-2 (H2) receptor antagonist used to reduce stomach acid production and treat ulcers, not itching related to allergic reactions.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is B: Propranolol. Propranolol is a beta-blocker commonly used to prevent migraines by reducing the frequency and severity of attacks. It works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in the body that trigger migraines. Choice A, Ergonovine, is not indicated for migraine prevention and is used for other purposes. Choice C, Ergotamine, is an older medication with more side effects and contraindications compared to propranolol. Choice D, Valproic acid, is also used for migraine prevention but may not be the best choice for a pregnant woman due to potential risks to the fetus.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Pharmacokinetics is a fundamental concept in pharmacology that refers to how the body processes a drug. Option B, "Drug biotransformation in the organism," is the correct answer because pharmacokinetics encompasses various processes such as absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion of drugs within the body. Biotransformation specifically focuses on how drugs are metabolized and transformed into different compounds by the body, impacting their effectiveness and potential side effects. Option A, "Complications of drug therapy," is incorrect because it does not specifically relate to the processes involved in pharmacokinetics but rather to potential issues that may arise from drug administration, such as adverse reactions or drug interactions. Option C, "Influence of drugs on metabolism processes," while related to drug effects, does not fully capture the concept of pharmacokinetics, which is more concerned with how the body acts on drugs rather than how drugs act on the body's metabolic processes. Option D, "Influence of drugs on genes," is also incorrect as it pertains more to pharmacodynamics, which involves the study of how drugs exert their effects on the body at the molecular and cellular levels, rather than how the body processes the drugs. Educationally, understanding pharmacokinetics is crucial for healthcare professionals as it helps in predicting drug behavior in the body, determining appropriate dosages, and minimizing adverse effects. It also plays a vital role in personalized medicine and optimizing therapeutic outcomes for patients.

Correct Answer: D

Rationale: In this question, the correct answer is option D) Inhalation, which is the parenteral route of medicinal agent administration. Parenteral routes involve administering medications directly into the body through methods other than the digestive tract. Inhalation delivers medication directly to the lungs for systemic absorption. Option A) Rectal is an enteral route, not parenteral, as it involves administering medication through the rectum for local or systemic effects. Option B) Oral and C) Sublingual are also enteral routes where medications are taken by mouth and absorbed through the gastrointestinal tract. Understanding the different routes of medication administration is crucial for healthcare professionals to ensure the effectiveness and safety of drug therapy. Knowing when to use parenteral routes like inhalation versus enteral routes like oral or rectal administration is essential in providing optimal patient care. Mastery of pharmacology concepts, including routes of administration, is fundamental for nursing students and healthcare professionals to make informed decisions in clinical practice.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: In pharmacology, microsomal oxidation is a major metabolic pathway carried out primarily by the cytochrome P450 enzymes in the liver. These enzymes are responsible for metabolizing lipid-soluble drugs, making option A, "Lipid soluble," the correct answer. Lipid-soluble drugs are able to easily cross cell membranes, including those of the liver where the majority of drug metabolism occurs. Due to their lipid solubility, these drugs are more readily acted upon by the cytochrome P450 enzymes, leading to microsomal oxidation as a prominent metabolic pathway. Water-soluble drugs (option B) are less likely to undergo microsomal oxidation because they do not readily enter the lipid-rich environment where the cytochrome P450 enzymes are located. Low molecular weight (option C) and high molecular weight (option D) are not direct determinants of microsomal oxidation; rather, it is the drug's lipid solubility that plays a key role in this metabolic process. Understanding the role of microsomal oxidation in drug metabolism is crucial for healthcare professionals to predict drug interactions, determine dosages, and anticipate potential adverse effects. By grasping this concept, pharmacology students and practitioners can make informed decisions regarding drug therapy based on the drug's characteristics and metabolic pathways.