how them drugs work and adrs - Sheet1

Question 1

What is maximal efficacy?

Answer 1

The largest effect a drug can produce.

Question 2

Why is maximal efficacy important in patient care?

Answer 2

It ensures the intensity of the medication aligns with the patient’s needs.

Question 3

What is relative potency?

Answer 3

The amount of a drug needed to produce an effect.

Question 4

What is a receptor in receptor theory?

Answer 4

A cellular molecule to which a drug binds to produce its effects.

Question 5

How do drugs interact with receptors?

Answer 5

They mimic or block regulatory molecules, altering physiological activity.

Question 6

What is the “lock and key” model in drug-receptor binding?

Answer 6

Drugs fit receptors like a key fits a lock, either activating or blocking the receptor.

Question 7

What are agonists?

Answer 7

Drugs that activate receptors and mimic the body’s regulatory molecules.

Question 8

What characteristics do agonists have?

Answer 8

Affinity and high intrinsic activity.

Question 9

What are antagonists?

Answer 9

Drugs that block receptors and prevent receptor activation.

Question 10

Do antagonists have intrinsic activity?

Answer 10

No, they have affinity but no intrinsic activity.

Question 11

What are partial agonists?

Answer 11

Drugs that activate receptors but produce a smaller response than full agonists.

Question 12

How do noncompetitive antagonists work?

Answer 12

They bind irreversibly to receptors, reducing the maximal response.

Question 13

Is the impact of noncompetitive antagonists permanent?

Answer 13

No, new receptors are synthesized over time.

Question 14

How do competitive antagonists work?

Answer 14

They bind reversibly to receptors, with the highest concentration determining receptor occupation.

Question 15

What are the three outcomes of drug interactions?

Answer 15

Increased effects, decreased effects, or unique responses.

Question 16

Name four basic mechanisms of drug-drug interactions.

Answer 16

Direct chemical/physical interaction, pharmacokinetic interaction, pharmacodynamic interaction, and combined toxicity.

Question 17

Why are drug interactions significant for drugs with a narrow therapeutic range?

Answer 17

Small changes in drug levels can lead to toxicity or therapeutic failure.

Question 18

How can the risk of drug interactions be minimized?

Answer 18

Reduce the number of drugs, take thorough histories, adjust dosages/timing, and monitor for toxicity.

Question 19

How does grapefruit juice interact with medications?

Answer 19

It can increase the levels of certain drugs in the blood, enhancing effects or toxicity.

Question 20

Name a drug class significantly affected by grapefruit juice.

Answer 20

Calcium channel blockers, statins, benzodiazepines, and immunosuppressants.

Question 21

Give an example of a calcium channel blocker affected by grapefruit juice.

Answer 21

Felodipine (Plendil) or Nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat).

Question 22

Name a statin that interacts with grapefruit juice.

Answer 22

Atorvastatin (Lipitor) or Simvastatin (Zocor).

Question 23

Name a benzodiazepine that interacts with grapefruit juice.

Answer 23

Diazepam (Valium) or Midazolam (Versed).

Question 24

What are some neurological medications affected by grapefruit juice?

Answer 24

Buspirone (BuSpar), Sertraline (Zoloft), or Carbamazepine (Tegretol).

Question 25

What are adverse drug reactions (ADRs)?

Answer 25

Undesirable effects that occur at normal drug doses.

Question 26

Who is at the highest risk for ADRs?

Answer 26

The very old, very young, and individuals with severe illness.

Question 27

What is a side effect?

Answer 27

An unintended, predictable secondary effect of a drug at normal therapeutic doses, usually not serious.

Question 28

What is toxicity?

Answer 28

Harmful effects of a drug caused by excessive dosing or unsafe levels in the body.

Question 29

What organs are commonly affected by toxic drug effects?

Answer 29

Liver, kidneys, heart, lungs, inner ear, bone marrow, skeletal muscle, tendons.

Question 30

What are signs of hepatotoxicity?

Answer 30

Liver failure, jaundice, dark urine, light stool, nausea/vomiting, RUQ pain, appetite loss.

Question 31

What is an allergic reaction?

Answer 31

A hypersensitive immune response to a drug, often involving histamine release.

Question 32

Are severe allergic reactions common?

Answer 32

No, very few drugs cause severe allergic reactions.

Question 33

What is an idiosyncratic effect?

Answer 33

A rare, unpredictable drug response unique to an individual due to genetic differences.

Question 34

What is a paradoxical effect?

Answer 34

A drug effect opposite to what is expected.

Question 35

What is iatrogenic disease?

Answer 35

A condition unintentionally caused by medical treatment or drugs.

Question 36

What is physical dependence?

Answer 36

The body’s adaptation to a drug, leading to withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly.

Question 37

What is a carcinogenic effect?

Answer 37

The ability of a drug to cause cancer.

Question 38

What is a teratogenic effect?

Answer 38

The ability of a drug to cause developmental abnormalities in a fetus.

Question 39

How can ADRs be prevented?

Answer 39

Obtain thorough medical history, assess the patient, avoid med errors, know usual side effects, watch for ADRs, and educate patients/families.

Question 40

What is a Black Box Warning?

Answer 40

The strongest safety warning issued by the FDA.

Question 41

What is REMS?

Answer 41

Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies to reduce drug-related harm.

Question 42

How are serious ADRs reported in the US?

Answer 42

Through organizational policy or MedWatch, a voluntary reporting system.