Pharmacology

Question 1

Ceftriaxone
pharmacology

Answer 1

cephalosporin antibiotic (a class of β-lactam antibiotics originally derived from the fungus Acremonium)

Question 2

Midazolam
Pharmacology

Answer 2

A short-acting CNS depressant
Actions:
- Anxiolytic (a medication used to reduce anxiety)
- Sedative
- Anti-convulsant

Question 3

Salbutamol
Pharmacology

Answer 3

A synthetic beta-adrenergic stimulant with primarily beta-2 effects

Actions:
- cause bronchodilation

Question 4

Prochlorperazine
mode of action/pharmacology

Answer 4

Dopamine antagonist - antiemetic effects are primarily due to D2 receptor blockers. Also acts on other neurotransmitters systems including histaminic, cholinergic, and a-adrenergic receptors

Question 5

Paracetamol
mode of action/pharmacology

Answer 5

Analgesic and antipyretic - exact mechanism of action is unclear, through to inhibit prostaglandin synthesis in the CNS

Question 6

Ondansetron
mode of action/pharmacology

Answer 6

5-HT3 antagonist - exact mode of action is not fully understood. RElease of serotonin (5-HT) is thought to trigger a vomiting reflex in both the peripheral (GIT) and central nervous system

Question 7

normal saline
pharmacology

Answer 7

An isotonic crystalloid solution

Composition
- electrolytes (sodium and chloride in a similar concentration to that of extracellular fluid

Action
- increases the volume of the intravascular compartment

Question 8

Naloxone
pharmacology

Answer 8

An opioid antagonist

Actions
- prevents or reverses the effects of opioids

Question 9

Morphine
Pharmogology

Answer 9

An opioid analgesic
Actions:
CNS effects
- Depression leading to analgesia
- Respiratory depression
- depression of cough reflex
- stimulation leads to changes in mood, euphoria, or dyspnea (difficult or labored breathing)
- Dependence leading to addiction oria, vomiting, pinpoint pupils

Cardiovascular
- vasodilation
- decreases conduction velocity through the A-V Node

Question 10

Methoxyflurane
mode of action/pharmacology

Answer 10

Inhaled anesthetic, that produces analgesia at low concentrations, however, the exact mode of action is unknown

Question 11

Ketamine
mode of action

Answer 11

An anesthetic agent with analgesic properties at lower doses

Works as an antagonist at the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors. It may also interact with opioids, muscarinic and other receptors.

It produces a trance-like dissociative state with amnesia, with preservation of laryngeal and pharyngeal reflexes.

Question 12

Ipratropium Bromide
pharmacology

Answer 12

Is an anticholinergic bronchodilator

Actions
allows bronchodilation by inhibiting cholinergic brochomotor tone )i.e. blocks vagal reflexes which mediate bronchoconstriction)

Question 13

Glyceryl Trinitrate
Mode of action/pharmacology

Answer 13

• Is an organic nitrate that relaxes smooth muscle
• Venodilation promotes venous pooling reduces venous return to the heart and reduces preload
• Arteriodilation reduces systemic vascular resistance and arterial pressure which reduces afterload

It affects
- reduces myocardial O2 demand
- reduced systolic, diastolic, and mean arterial blood perfusion, whilst usually maintaining coronary perfusion pressure
- mild collateral coronary artery dilation may improve blood supply to ischaemic areas of the myocardium
- mild tachycardia secondary to a slight fall in BP
- Preterm labour: uterine quiescence in pregnancy

Question 14

Glucagon
Pharmacology

Answer 14

A hormone normally secreted by the pancreas

Actions cause an increase in blood glucose concentration by converting stored liver glycogen and glucose

Question 15

Dextrose 10%
Pharmacology

Answer 15

A slightly hypertonic crystalloid solution
It is composed of sugar (10% dextrose) and water

The actions
It provides a source of energy
and supplies the body water

Question 16

Dexamethasone
Pharmacology

Answer 16

A corticosteroid secreted b the adrenal cortex

Its action
Relieves inflammatory reactions and provides immunosuppression

Question 17

Fentanyl
Pharmacology

Answer 17

A synthetic opioid

CNS effects
- Depression leading to analgesia
- Respiratory depression leading to apnoea
- Dependence leading to addiction

Cardiovascular effects
- Decreases conduction velocity through the A-V node

Question 18

Aspirin
Pharmacology

Answer 18

An analgesic, antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, and antiplatelet aggregation agent

Action
- to minimise platelet aggregation and thrombosis formation in order to retard the progression of coronary artery thrombosis in ACS
- Inhibits synthesis of prostaglandins - anti-inflammatory actions

Question 19

Adrenaline
Pharmacology

Answer 19

A naturally occurring alpha and beta-adrenergic stimulant

Actions
- Increases HR by increasing SA node firing rate (Beta 1)
- Increases conduction velocity through the A-V node (Beta 1)
- Increase myocardial contractility (Beta 1)
- Increases the irritability of the ventricles (Beta 1)
- Causes bronchodilation (beta 2)
- Causes peripheral vasoconstriction (Alpha)

Question 20

Olanzapine
Pharmacology

Answer 20

Atypical antipsychotic-antagonist at multiple receptor sites, particularly serotonin (5-HT), dopamine, and histamine

Question 21

Heparin
Pharmacology

Answer 21

Anticoagulant
- Iactivates clotting factors IIa (thrombin) and Xa by binding to antithrombin III

Question 22

Lidocaine
Pharmacology

Answer 22

Sodium channel blocker - interrupts impulse conduction in peripheral nerves and stabilises the excitable cell membrane

Question 23

Oxytocin
Pharmacology

Answer 23

Synthetic pituitary hormone - stimulates uterine muscle contractions. Uterine atony (not contracting) is the most common cause of PPH

Question 24

Tenecteplase
pharmacology

Answer 24

Fibrinolytic, a modified form of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) that binds to fibrin and converts plasminogen to plasmin