PHARMACOLOGY EXAM 4 WITH 100%
CORRECT ANSWERS 2026
What are examples of inhaled Short-acting Beta Agonists?
(SABAs) correct answers >> Albuterol and levabuterol
What is the MOA of inhaled beta agonists? correct answers >>
To relax airway smooth muscle by increasing cyclic cAMP; dilation
and opening of airway
What is the use of inhaled beta agonists? correct answers >>
Used in bronchospasm associated with: asthma, bronchitis, and
COPD
When are SABAs used (albuterol and levabuterol)? correct
answers >> For relief of ACUTE asthma attacks
Is albuterol approved in children under 4? correct answers >>
Yes.
How do beta-2 agonists affect calcium? correct answers >>
They open large conductions in calcium activated potassium
channels = hyperpolarized airway smooth muscle cells
1. decreased intracellular calcium
,2. increased potassium concentration
3. decreased myocleynase activity = smooth muscle relaxation
and bronchodilation
What are examples of long-acting beta agonists (LABAs)?
correct answers >> salmetrol and formoterol
What are LABAs (salmeterol and formoterol) used for? correct
answers >> Used for PREVENTION or long term treatment of
asthma
NOT for acute attacks; not first line treatment
CANNOT be used alone
What population should LABAs NOT be prescribed in? correct
answers >> African Americans
What is special about the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
correct answers >> This gene causes LABAs to worsen asthma
control
Who is more likely to have the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene?
correct answers >> African Americans; this genotype is present
in 1/6th of the U.S. population
How does the beta 2 adrenergic receptor gene cause worsening
asthma control when LABAs are taken? correct answers >>
,Asthmatics with this gene are at risk for decreased airflow and
worsening asthma control
What are adverse effects of inhaled beta agonists? correct
answers >> Tachycardia and tremors
What is the absorption of inhaled beta agonists? correct
answers >> Very little systemic absorption
What are examples of anticholinergics/antimuscarinics in
maintenance therapy of COPD? correct answers >>
ipatroprium (Atrovent) and tiotroprium (Spiriva)
What is the MOA of anticholinergics (ipatroprium and
tiotroprium)? correct answers >> They block muscarinic
receptors decreasing the formation of cAMP
CAUSES BRONCHODILATION BY:
1. decreasing smooth muscle contraction of lungs (mainly on M3
receptors)
2. decreases mucous secretion
What are ipatroprium and tiotroprium used for? correct
answers >> Maintenance of COPD
What is tiotroprium (Spiriva)? correct answers >> LONG-
ACTING bronchodilator for COPD; better absorbed from lung than
ipatroprium (Atrovent)
, What is ipotroprium (Atrovent)? correct answers >> SHORT-
ACTING bronchodilator for COPD
What bronchodilator is the best choice in patients taking
propranolol? correct answers >> Ipatroprium (Atrovent)
What are the adverse effects of ipatroprium and tiotroprium?
correct answers >> Anticholinergic -- can't see, can't pee, can't
spit, can't shit
What are examples of inhaled corticosteroids? correct answers
>> fluticasone (Flonase), budesonide (Pulmicort),
beclomethasone diproprionate (QVAR)
What are inhaled corticosteroids used for? correct answers >>
Long-term treatment of asthma (severe, persistent asthma);
taken everyday
What is the absorption of inhaled corticosteroids? correct
answers >> Rapid absorption from lung tissues; greater with
use of spacer
What effects do inhaled corticosteroids have? correct answers
>> Anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects
Highly selective agonists at the glucocorticoid receptor and some
activity at androgen, estrogen, and corticoid receptors