ATI RN
Safety Pharmacology Across the Lifespan Questions
Question 1 of 5
What is the correct statement concerning noncompetitive antagonism:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Rationale for Choice C: In noncompetitive antagonism, the antagonist binds irreversibly to a site different from the agonist binding site, preventing agonist binding. Increasing agonist concentration cannot overcome this as the antagonist blocks the receptor irreversibly. This results in a fixed maximum response. Summary: A: Incorrect. The potency of the drug may change due to noncompetitive antagonism. B: Incorrect. Noncompetitive antagonism does not affect the number of receptors available to bind the agonist. D: Incorrect. Choice C is correct, making this statement wrong.
Question 2 of 5
A33-year-old woman complained to her physician of numbness and tingling in her fingers and toes. The woman had been taking a drug for 1 month to abort headache. Which of the following drugs most likely caused the patient's symptoms?
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: The correct answer is C: Ergotamine. Ergotamine is known to cause vasoconstriction, leading to decreased blood flow to extremities, resulting in numbness and tingling. Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and does not typically cause numbness and tingling. Valproic acid is used for epilepsy and mood disorders. Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for hypertension and migraines but is not associated with numbness and tingling in extremities.
Question 3 of 5
A2-year-old boy was brought to the emergency department with high body temperature (104°F, 40°C), flushed and dry skin, and widely dilated pupils unresponsive to light. He was agitated and underwent a brief tonic-clonic convulsion. His mother stated that the boy apparently swallowed several tablets of her allergy medication. Which of the following drugs most likely caused the patient's poisoning?
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: The correct answer is B: Diphenhydramine. Diphenhydramine is a first-generation antihistamine that can cause anticholinergic toxicity in overdose. The symptoms described in the question such as high body temperature, dry skin, dilated pupils, and agitation are consistent with anticholinergic poisoning. Diphenhydramine also has sedative effects which can lead to seizures in high doses. A: Ibuprofen is a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug and overdose typically presents with symptoms like gastrointestinal upset and kidney injury, not the symptoms described in the question. C: Phenylephrine is a decongestant that can cause hypertension and tachycardia in overdose, not the symptoms described in the question. D: Celecoxib is a selective COX-2 inhibitor used as an NSAID and overdose usually presents with gastrointestinal symptoms, not the symptoms described in the question.
Question 4 of 5
What kind of substances can't permeate membranes by passive diffusion?
Correct Answer: D
Rationale: In the context of safety pharmacology, understanding the mechanism of passive diffusion across membranes is crucial for predicting how substances interact with the body. In this question, the correct answer is D) Hydrophilic substances. Hydrophilic substances, by definition, are water-loving and have difficulty crossing lipid-rich cell membranes through passive diffusion. This is because cell membranes are primarily composed of lipids, creating a barrier that prevents hydrophilic substances from permeating easily. Option A) Lipid-soluble substances are able to permeate membranes by passive diffusion as they can dissolve in the lipid bilayer, making them capable of crossing cell membranes effectively. Option B) Non-ionized substances can also permeate membranes by passive diffusion, especially if they are lipid-soluble, as their non-polar nature allows them to pass through the lipid bilayer. Option C) Hydrophobic substances, like lipid-soluble substances, can permeate membranes through passive diffusion due to their compatibility with the lipid bilayer. In an educational context, this question highlights the importance of understanding the physicochemical properties of substances in relation to their ability to cross biological membranes. It underscores the significance of considering a substance's hydrophilicity or hydrophobicity when assessing its pharmacokinetic profile and potential effects on different age groups across the lifespan.
Question 5 of 5
Correct statements listing characteristics of a particular route of drug administration include all of the following EXCEPT:
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: In the context of safety pharmacology across the lifespan, understanding the characteristics of different routes of drug administration is crucial for ensuring safe and effective medication delivery. Option A states that intravenous administration provides a rapid response. This is a correct statement as intravenous administration allows for direct entry of the drug into the bloodstream, leading to a quick onset of action. Option B mentions that intramuscular administration requires a sterile technique. This is also correct because injecting drugs into muscle tissue necessitates a sterile environment to prevent infections. Option D states that subcutaneous administration may cause local irritation. This is a valid point as some drugs can indeed cause irritation or reactions at the injection site when administered subcutaneously. Option C, which is the correct answer, states that inhalation provides slow access to the general circulation. This is incorrect because inhalation is actually a route of administration that allows for rapid absorption of drugs directly into the bloodstream through the lungs, leading to a quick onset of action. Educationally, understanding the unique characteristics of each route of drug administration is vital for healthcare professionals to make informed decisions regarding the most appropriate route for a specific medication based on factors such as the patient's condition, the drug's properties, and the desired onset of action. It is essential to grasp these concepts to optimize patient safety and therapeutic outcomes.