Pharmacology Basics

What is a 'mechanism of action' in pharmacology?

• AHow the body eliminates a drug from the circulation through the kidneys and the bile
• BHow a drug produces its therapeutic effect at the cellular/molecular level✓
• CThe side effects of a drug
• DHow quickly a drug is absorbed from the gut into the bloodstream after an oral dose

Answer: Mechanism of action describes how a drug works at a molecular level to produce its therapeutic effect (e.g., blocking an enzyme, activating a receptor).

Which of the following best describes 'bioavailability'?

• AThe cost-effectiveness of a drug when compared with other treatments for the same condition
• BThe fraction of an administered drug dose that reaches systemic circulation unchanged✓
• CHow quickly a drug works
• DThe total amount of a drug present in the body once every dose in the course has been absorbed

Answer: Bioavailability (F) is the proportion of an administered dose that reaches systemic circulation. IV drugs have 100% bioavailability.

What is 'drug interaction'?

• ASide effects of a single drug
• BWhen one drug affects the action of another drug, potentially increasing or decreasing its effect✓
• CWhen two patients take the same drug
• DAllergic reaction to a drug

Answer: A drug interaction occurs when one medicine affects another's absorption, metabolism, or effects, potentially increasing toxicity or reducing efficacy.

Which of the following is an example of a drug acting as an ACE inhibitor?

• AAtenolol
• BMetformin
• CAmlodipine
• DLisinopril✓

Answer: ACE inhibitors block angiotensin-converting enzyme, reducing blood pressure. Examples include lisinopril, enalapril, and ramipril.

What does 'half-life' mean in pharmacology?

• AThe time taken for the drug concentration to reduce to half its original level✓
• BHow long a drug remains effective on the pharmacy shelf before it reaches its expiry date
• CHalf the dose needed
• DThe proportion of the population who will respond to only half of the usual licensed dose

Answer: Half-life (t½) is the time for plasma concentration to fall by 50%. It helps determine dosing intervals and accumulation.

Which of the following is a beta-blocker used in cardiovascular disease?

• AAmlodipine
• BAtenolol✓
• CRamipril
• DLisinopril

Answer: Beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol, bisoprolol) block beta-adrenergic receptors, reducing heart rate and blood pressure.

What is a 'side effect' or 'adverse effect'?

• AThe main therapeutic action for which the drug was licensed and is normally prescribed
• BDrug resistance
• CAn allergic reaction such as a rash, which occurs only in patients already sensitised
• DAn unwanted effect of a drug that occurs in addition to its therapeutic effect✓

Answer: Side/adverse effects are unwanted effects occurring alongside the therapeutic action (e.g., nausea from antibiotics).

What is 'contraindication'?

• AA condition listed in the product licence for which the medicine ought to be prescribed and supplied
• BA side effect
• CAn effect in which one medicine changes the way that another medicine is absorbed or metabolised
• DA situation or condition in which a medicine should NOT be used due to risk of harm✓

Answer: A contraindication is a condition or factor that makes a particular treatment inadvisable (e.g., ACE inhibitors contraindicated in pregnancy).

Which class of drug is used to treat bacterial infections?

• AAntibiotics✓
• BAntihistamines
• CAntifungals
• DAntivirals

Answer: Antibiotics (e.g., penicillins, cephalosporins, macrolides) are used to treat bacterial infections by killing or inhibiting bacteria.

What is 'pharmacokinetics'?

• ADrug side effects
• BThe study of allergic reactions and other unwanted immune responses caused by medicines
• CHow a drug works within the body to produce its therapeutic effect at the receptor level
• DWhat the body does to the drug (absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion)✓

Answer: Pharmacokinetics describes ADME: how the body absorbs, distributes, metabolises, and excretes drugs.

What is 'pharmacodynamics'?

• AHow the body absorbs, distributes and eliminates a medicine over time
• BThe study of interactions between two or more medicines taken together
• CWhat the drug does to the body (how it produces its effect)✓
• DHow quickly and how completely drugs are absorbed from the gut wall

Answer: Pharmacodynamics describes the effect of drugs on the body—their mechanism of action and relationship between dose and response.

Which of the following is a proton pump inhibitor used for acid reflux?

• ADomperidone
• BOmeprazole✓
• CAntacid
• DRanitidine

Answer: Proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) like omeprazole block gastric acid production. Other PPIs include lansoprazole and pantoprazole.

What is 'therapeutic drug monitoring' (TDM)?

• ACounting the number of doses that have been dispensed to a patient over the past year
• BMeasuring drug blood levels to ensure therapeutic efficacy and safety✓
• CAn annual medical check-up carried out by the patient's general practitioner
• DRecording each side effect that a patient reports in their own pharmacy record card

Answer: TDM measures blood concentrations of certain drugs (e.g., digoxin, theophylline) to ensure they're in the therapeutic range.

Which of the following is an NSAID (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug)?

• AParacetamol
• BIbuprofen✓
• CCodeine
• DAspirin only

Answer: NSAIDs (ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin, diclofenac) reduce inflammation and pain by inhibiting prostaglandin synthesis.

What is a 'receptor' in pharmacology?

• AA protein on cells that drugs bind to, producing a biological effect✓
• BThe written prescription form on which a doctor records the medicine ordered
• CThe counter within a pharmacy at which completed prescriptions are handed to patients
• DA temperature-controlled storage facility in which medicines are kept before supply

Answer: Receptors are protein molecules on cell surfaces to which drugs bind, triggering cellular responses (e.g., beta-receptors, H2-receptors).

What is 'first-pass metabolism'?

• AThe first dose taken
• BInitial absorption in the stomach
• CDrug elimination by the kidneys
• DMetabolism of a drug during its first passage through the liver before reaching systemic circulation✓

Answer: First-pass (hepatic) metabolism occurs when oral drugs are absorbed and go directly to the liver before systemic circulation, reducing bioavailability.

Which organ is primarily responsible for metabolising most drugs?

• ALiver✓
• BLungs
• CKidneys
• DHeart

Answer: The liver metabolises the majority of drugs via cytochrome P450 enzymes, producing more readily excreted metabolites.

What does 'tolerance' mean in pharmacology?

• AAge-related changes in the way that an older patient handles a medicine
• BDecreased response to a drug over time despite repeated doses✓
• CAn allergic reaction that develops after several doses of a medicine
• DA patient's willingness to put up with the side effects of their medicine

Answer: Tolerance is reduced drug responsiveness with repeated doses (e.g., opioid tolerance, benzodiazepine tolerance).

Which of the following is an anticoagulant used to prevent blood clots?

• AWarfarin✓
• BAspirin
• CIbuprofen
• DParacetamol

Answer: Anticoagulants like warfarin and DOACs (e.g., apixaban, rivaroxaban) prevent blood clot formation by interfering with clotting cascade.

What is 'drug accumulation'?

• AOrdering more stock
• BPatient hoarding medicine
• CStoring drugs in a pharmacy
• DBuilding up of drug levels in the body when repeated doses are given before previous dose is eliminated✓

Answer: Drug accumulation occurs when a new dose is given before the previous dose is fully eliminated, leading to increased plasma concentrations.

What is the British National Formulary (BNF)?

• AA government publication
• BA pharmacy textbook
• CA drug pricing guide
• DA comprehensive reference source for medicines information in the UK including dosages, interactions, and side effects✓

Answer: The BNF is the essential UK resource providing information on medicines, including indications, doses, interactions, and precautions.

Which of the following drugs requires baseline and regular liver function tests?

• AParacetamol in overdose
• BAspirin
• CIbuprofen
• DMethotrexate✓

Answer: Methotrexate requires monitoring as it can cause hepatotoxicity. Regular LFTs are essential for safe use.

What is 'polypharmacy'?

• ASwitching a patient between different drugs in the same class
• BTaking several doses of a single medicine throughout the day
• CTraining in more than one branch of pharmaceutical practice
• DUsing multiple medicines simultaneously✓

Answer: Polypharmacy is the concurrent use of multiple medications, which increases the risk of interactions and adverse effects.

Which of the following is a statin used to lower cholesterol?

• AAtorvastatin✓
• BAmlodipine
• CMetformin
• DAlbuterol

Answer: Statins (atorvastatin, simvastatin, pravastatin) inhibit HMG-CoA reductase, reducing cholesterol synthesis and cardiovascular risk.

What is 'drug-disease interaction'?

• AA problem with the physical or chemical stability of a medicine in storage
• BSide effects that a medicine causes when it is taken at the usual licensed dose
• CWhen a drug's effect is altered by a pre-existing disease condition✓
• DAn allergy that a patient already has to one of the ingredients in a medicine

Answer: Drug-disease interaction occurs when a patient's existing condition affects drug metabolism or response (e.g., beta-blockers in asthma).