COPD Quiz

Question 1

Which of the following drugs does not have a direct bronchodilator effect?

A) Epinephrine
B) Terbutaline
C) Prednisone
D) Iprotropium

Answer 1

C - although extremely important in severe chronic asthma and status asthmaticus, corticosteroids do not have a demonstrable direct bronchodilator action

Question 2

Mr. Green is a 60 y/o former smoker with cardiac disease and severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease associated with frequent episodes of bronchospasm. Which of the following is a bronchodilator useful in COPD and least likely to interfere with cardiac conduction?

A) Ipratropium
B) Isoproterenol
C) Prednisone
D) Salmeterol

Answer 2

A - ipratropium, an antimuscarinic agent, is the bronchodilator that is most likely to be useful in COPD without disturbances in cardiac conduction

Question 3

A 22 y/o man is brought to the ED after suffering seizures resulting from an overdose of one of his medications. His sister states that he takes the drug orally and sometimes had insomnia after taking it. Which of the following is a direct bronchodilator that is most often administered by the oral route and is capable of causing insomnia and seizures?

A) Cromolyn
B) Ipratropium
C) Theophylline
D) Salmeterol

Answer 3

C - theophylline is a bronchodilator that is active by the oral route. It causes insomnia in therapeutic doses and seizures in overdosage.

Question 4

Which of the following in its parenteral form is life-saving in severe status asthmaticus and acts, at least in part, by inhibiting phospholipase A2?

A) Tiotropium
B) Metoprolol
C) Salmeterol
D) Methylprednisolone
E) Zafirlukast

Answer 4

D - parenteral corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone (prednisolone is the active metabolite of prednisone) are lifesaving in status asthmaticus. They probably act by reducing production of leukotrienes.