Asthma Quiz

Question 1

Match:

Albuterol
Salmeterol
Ipratropium
Montelukast

Anticholinergic
Leukotriene receptor antagonist
Short acting beta adrenergic receptor
Long acting beta adrenergic receptor

Answer 1

Albuterol - SABA
Salmeterol - LABA
Ipratropium - Anticholinergic
Montelukast - Leukotriene receptor antagonist

Question 2

An example of step wise asthma therapy is:

A) Step one albuterol, step 2 plus low dose inhaled corticosteroid, step 3 plus LABA
B) Step one theophylline, step 2 plus monoclonal antibody, step 3 plus LABA
C) Step one LABA, step 2 monoclonal antibody, step 2 inhaled corticosteroid
D) Step one oral steroids, step 2 LABA, step 3 albuterol

Answer 2

A

Question 3

A child is admitted to the ED having swallowed the contents of 2 bottles of a nasal decongestant. You check with your pharmacist and learn the active ingredient is a potent, selective alpha-adrenoreceptor agonist. Which of the following is a sign of alpha-receptor activation that might occur in this patient?

A) Bronchodilation
B) Tachycardia
C) Mydriasis
D) Renin release from the kidneys

Answer 3

C - pupil dilation

Question 4

Complete activation of the parasympathetic nervous system is likely to produce which of the following effects?

A) Tachycardia
B) Bronchodilation
C) Miosis
D) Decreased intestinal motility

Answer 4

C

Question 5

One effect that theophylline, isoproterenol, and histamine have in common is:

A) Tachycardia
B) Postural hypotension
C) Throbbing headache
D) Direct stimulation of cardiac contractile force

Answer 5

A

Question 6

You decide to manage the asthma of one of your patients a 26 y/o graduate student using albuterol inhalation. She is very concerned about side effects. She has concerns about a number of possible side effects including: muscle tremor, tachycardia, and diuresis. Which of one of these is NOT a recognized side effect of albuterol?

Answer 6

Albuterol is a beta-2 agonist and can produce cardiac and skeletal muscle effects in moderate to high doses. Albuterol is not a diuretic and therefore does not cause diuresis.

Question 7

Oral medications are popular for the treatment of asthma in children because young children may have difficulty with the proper use of aerosol inhalers. Which of the following is an orally active inhibitor of leukotriene receptors?

A) Albuterol
B) Ipratropium
C) Zafirlukast
D) Zileuton

Answer 7

C - zileuton is an inhibitor of the lipoxygenase enzyme involved in the synthesis of leukotrienes. Montelukast and zafirlukast are leukotriene antagonists at the leukotriene receptor.

Question 8

Which of the following has a slow onset but long duration of action and is always used in combination with an inhaled corticosteroid?

A) Cromolyn
B) Prednisone/prednisolone
C) Salmeterol
D) Epinephrine

Answer 8

C - salmeterol is a beta-2 selective agonist that has a slow onset but long duration of action. Used alone, it increases asthma mortality, but in combination with inhaled corticosteroids prophylactic use improves asthma control.

Question 9

A 27 year old grad student has well-controlled asthma but on reporting to the college health clinic, complains of a sore throat. On examination, he has typical signs of thrush, a fungal infection with Candida albicans. The asthma controller medication most likely to be associated with Candida infection is:

A) Albuterol by aerosol
B) Beclomethasone by aerosol
C) Ipratropium by inhaler
D) Oral prednisone

Answer 9

B - chronic oral corticosteroids, eg. prednisone, have important toxicities but, they are unlikely to cause oral fungal infections. Topical, inhaled steroids, eg, beclomethasone, are associated with this adverse effect because the inhalation route results in high concentrations in the oropharynx.