Pharmacolgy Flash Cards

Question 1

What is an absorbent drug? Give a common example used in the treatment of diarrhoea?

Answer 1

An absorbent is a substance that attracts other materials such as bacterial toxins to its surface; kaolin is a common example

Question 2

What is meant by the term anabolism?

Answer 2

Describes the building up of synthesis of cell structure from digested food materials. Anabolic steroids such as Nandrolone are often used in practice

Question 3

Most of the drugs acting upon the central nervous system in animals are depressants, however stimulants are used in the treatment of convulsions and respiratory arrest. What term describes drugs that stimulate the cerebral and medullary centres of the brain?

Answer 3

Drugs that stimulate the cerebral and medullary centres of the brain are called analeptics

Question 4

What is the difference between a broad spectrum and narrow spectrum antibiotic?

Answer 4

Broad spectrum antibiotics act on both gram positive and gram negative staining bacteria, whilst narrow spectrum antibiotics act on one of the other

Question 5

Gram positive bacteria

Answer 5

Retains crystal violet, staining dark purple.
Thick (multi-layered)
No outer membrane
Highly susceptible to penicillin
Cocci examples- staphylococci, streptococci, entercocci
Rod examples- bacillus, actinomyces

Question 6

Gram negative bacteria

Answer 6

Staining- cannot retain the violet stain can accept counterstain (safranin) and stain red(pink)
Thin (single layered)
Outer membrane present
Low susceptibility to penicillin

Question 7

Give 2 examples of the use of heparin; an anticoagulant drug

Answer 7

To prevent a blood sample (biochemistry) from clotting

As an intravenous injection to treat thrombosis

Question 8

What is the name of a substance that reduces the volume of urine excreted?

Answer 8

An antidiuretic

Question 9

What are antifungal drugs known as?

Answer 9

Antimycotics

Question 10

What condition is commonly treated with antipyretics?

Answer 10

Abnormally high body temperature as in a fever, but not for conditions such as heat stroke

Question 11

Give an example of an antisialagogue commonly used as a premedicant

Answer 11

Atropine; antisialagogues decrease the amount of salivation, thus making them particularly useful in cases such as dentals

Question 12

What are antitissusives used to treat?

Answer 12

Coughing e.g. codeine

Question 13

What drugs cause expulsion of gas from the stomach?

Answer 13

Carminatives

Question 14

What are cytotoxic drugs also known as?

Answer 14

Antimitotic drugs

Question 15

Give an example of a common diuretic drug

Answer 15

Frusemide, it is used to increase the volume of urine produced

Question 16

Oxytocic drugs stimulate uterine contractions; by what other name are these drugs known?

Answer 16

Ecbolic drugs

Question 17

What is the difference between a laxative and a purgative?

Answer 17

A laxative has a mild effect on the bowels encouraging defecation, whilst a purgative has a very strong effect.
Purgatives are also known as cathartics

Question 18

What is the difference between a miotic and a mydriatic drug?

Answer 18

Miotic drugs cause constriction of the pupil (used in the treatment of glaucoma)
Mydriatics cause dilation of the pupil

Question 19

What is the difference between a sedative and a tranquilliser?

Answer 19

A sedative has calming effects which may be soporific (causing drowsiness)
Tranquillisers reduce anxiety without causing the patient to become sleepy