Block 4

Question 1

Name 4 drugs used in the management of hypercalcaemia.

Answer 1

Fluids (normal saline), furosemide (loop

diuretic) , calcitonin and alendronic acid
(bisphosphonates) .

Question 2

What drug class does alendronic acid belong to?

Answer 2

Bisphosphonates.

Question 3

What is the mechanism of action of saline and furosemide in the management of hypercalcaemia?

Answer 3

Increased renal calcium excretion.

Question 4

What is the mechanism of action of calcitonin and bisphosphonates in the management of hypercalcaemia?

Answer 4

Inhibition of release of calcium from bone.

Question 5

Name 2 drugs used in the management of hypocalcaemia.

Answer 5

IV calcium gluconate and vitamin D.

Question 6

What is the mechanism of action of IV calcium gluconate and vitamin D in the management of hypocalcaemia?

Answer 6

Restoration of calcium levels and retention.

Question 7

Name 2 drugs used in the management of vitamin D

deficiency.

Answer 7

Vitamin D (colecalciferol/cholecalciferol) or calcitriol
(1,25dihydroxyvitamin D)

Question 8

Name 5 drugs used in the treatment of osteoporosis.

Answer 8

Alendronic acid (bisphosphonate), raloxifene (selective oestrogen receptor modulator; SERM), parathyroid
hormone, denosumab and vitamin D.

Question 9

What drug class does raloxifene belong to?

Answer 9

Selective oestrogen receptor modulator (SERM).

Question 10

What is the mechanism of action of drugs used to treat osteoporosis?

Answer 10

Inhibition of release of calcium from bone, inhibition of

osteoclast activity.

Question 11

Name 2 anti-proliferative agents.

Answer 11

Methotrexate and azathioprine.

Question 12

What is the mechanism of action of methotrexate and azathioprine?

Answer 12

Reduces lymphocyte proliferation.

Question 13

Name 2 aminosalicylates.

Answer 13

Sulphasalazine and mesalazine.

Question 14

Name 2 biologics (monoclonal antibodies).

Answer 14

Infliximab and rituximab.

Question 15

What is the mechanism of action of infliximab?

Answer 15

Binds and blocks the proinflammatory function of TNF-alpha.

Question 16

What is the mechanism of action of rituximab?

Answer 16

Depletion of B cells.

Question 17

Name 3 beta lactams - penicillins.

Answer 17

Flucloxacillin, benzylpenicillin and amoxicillin/co-amoxiclav.

Question 18

What is the mechanism of action of beta lactams - penicillins?

Answer 18

Bactericidal – cell lysis by blocking cell wall synthesis.

Question 19

Name a beta lactams - carbapenem.

Answer 19

Meropenem.

Question 20

What is the mechanism of action of beta lactams - carbapenem?

Answer 20

Bactericidal – cell lysis by blocking cell wall synthesis.

Question 21

Name a cephalosporin.

Answer 21

Ceftriaxone.

Question 22

What is the mechanism of action of cephalosporins?

Answer 22

Bactericidal – cell lysis by blocking cell wall synthesis.

Question 23

Name a nitroimidazole.

Answer 23

Metronidazole.

Question 24

What is the mechanism of action of nitroimidazole?

Answer 24

Bacteriostatic – inhibition of bacterial DNA synthesis.

Question 25

Name a macrolide.

Answer 25

Erythromycin.

Question 26

What is the mechanism of action of erythromycin?

Answer 26

Bacteriostatic – inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis.

Question 27

Name a lincosamide.

Answer 27

Clindamycin.

Question 28

What is the mechanism of action of clindamycin?

Answer 28

Bacteriostatic – inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis.

Question 29

Name 2 tetracyclines.

Answer 29

Tetracycline and doxycycline.

Question 30

What is the mechanism of action of tetracyclines?

Answer 30

Bacteriostatic – inhibition of bacterial protein synthesis.

Question 31

Name a fluoroquinolone.

Answer 31

Ciprofloxacin.

Question 32

What is the mechanism of action of ciprofloxacin?

Answer 32

Bacteriostatic – inhibition of bacterial DNA coiling.