ADVANCED PHARMACOLOGY FOR NP 2
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Tamiflu dosing.
Answer: Treatment for adults/adolescents ≥13 years: 75 mg PO twice daily
for 5 days; dose adjustments for renal impairment and pediatric
weight-based dosing for children.
◍ Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics - indications, pharmacokinetics,
age/pregnancy, names.
Answer: - Insomnia- GABA-A receptor agonist- Risk in all special
populations (pregnancy, children, geriatrics)- Zolpidem (Ambien), Zaleplon
(Sonata), Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
◍ Atropine - age?.
Answer: Not recommended in children
◍ Alpha and beta antagonists - pharmacodynamics, age restriction?.
Answer: - Combined selective alpha1 adrenergic and selective beta blockage
(decrease BP)- Alpha blocker predominates so less likely to produce
significant reduction in HR or CO- Geriatric risk r/t orthostatic hypotension
and falls
◍ Reversal for Alpha-1 antagonists?.
Answer: Glucagon
◍ What is the spectrum of infections treated by fluoroquinolones?.
Answer: Wide spectrum including UTI (E. coli), respiratory tract infections
(Haemophilus influenzae), and skin infections (Staphylococcus aureus)
◍ Beta-adrenergic antagonists (blockers) - what medical conditions do they
, treat?.
Answer: HTN (Stage II)MIHFTremorsHyperthyroidismAnginaMigraines
◍ Gabapentin (Neurontin) - age contraindication?.
Answer: Children 3-12 can cause behavioral problems, hostility, aggressive
behaviors, thought disorders -> change in school performance, hyperkinesia
◍ Fosfomycin side effects.
Answer: GI upset, headache; generally well tolerated.
◍ Multiple daily injections.
Answer: Combination of basal and bolus insulin, standard for type 1
diabetes and advanced T2DM with high A1c or variable glucose.
◍ Cholinergic symptoms?.
Answer: - Constricted pupils- Increased saliva- Bronchoconstriction-
Increased GI mucus- Bladder fundus contraction
◍ Meglitinides.
Answer: Repaglinide, nateglinide.
◍ Phenytoin, Ehytoin, Fosphenytoin - ADRs?.
Answer: Dry mouth, gingival hyperplasia, urinary retention
◍ Phenytoin - monitor?.
Answer: - Check blood levels (Vit D, K, folic acid), and do not give dose
until blood has been drawn- Urine (pinkish-red/brown color) is normal-
Keep seizure diary and note of behavior and school performance for dose
adjustments
◍ Risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Answer: Potential side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors.
◍ Metformin and glyburide in pregnancy.
Answer: Have limitations and variable placental transfer; some guidelines
prefer insulin as first-line when pharmacotherapy is required.
◍ Acute side effects of steroids.
Answer: Hyperglycemia, fluid retention, hypertension, mood changes,
, insomnia, increased appetite.
◍ TSH Monitoring.
Answer: Check TSH 6-8 weeks after initiation or dose change; once stable,
annually or if symptoms change or pregnancy occurs.
◍ Phenytoin, Ethytoin, Fosphenytoin - indication?.
Answer: Tonic-clonic and partial complex seizuresLeast sedating drugs to
treat Sz disordersNOT for use in absence seizuresNOT the first-line
treatment for status epilepticus
◍ GIP-GLP-1 agonists.
Answer: Dual agonists: tirzepatide class.
◍ Whipple triad.
Answer: Recognition criteria for hypoglycemia: symptoms of
adrenergic/neuroglycopenic symptoms, low plasma glucose (<70 mg/dL),
and symptom relief with glucose.
◍ Atropine - indication?.
Answer: GI diorders (adjunct tx), bradyarrhythmia, retinal dilator
◍ Anorexiant - pharmacokinetics.
Answer: Non-amphetamine appetite suppressants
◍ Vaginal candidiasis treatment.
Answer: Fluconazole single oral dose or topical azoles.
◍ Viral infections treatment.
Answer: Antivirals are virus-specific: HSV/VZV — acyclovir/valacyclovir;
influenza — oseltamivir (Tamiflu) early in course; HIV/HBV/HCV have
specific regimens.
◍ Different stages of clinical trials for a new drug required by the FDA:.
Answer: Phase I: establish biologic effects and safe dosage,
pharmacokinetics small number of healthy patientsPhase II: treat diseases in
small number of patients establish potential of drug to improve patient
outcomesPhase III: compare new medications to standard therapiesPhase IV
COMPREHENSIVE STUDY GUIDE 2026 FULL
QUESTIONS AND SOLUTIONS GRADED A+
◍ Tamiflu dosing.
Answer: Treatment for adults/adolescents ≥13 years: 75 mg PO twice daily
for 5 days; dose adjustments for renal impairment and pediatric
weight-based dosing for children.
◍ Nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics - indications, pharmacokinetics,
age/pregnancy, names.
Answer: - Insomnia- GABA-A receptor agonist- Risk in all special
populations (pregnancy, children, geriatrics)- Zolpidem (Ambien), Zaleplon
(Sonata), Eszopiclone (Lunesta)
◍ Atropine - age?.
Answer: Not recommended in children
◍ Alpha and beta antagonists - pharmacodynamics, age restriction?.
Answer: - Combined selective alpha1 adrenergic and selective beta blockage
(decrease BP)- Alpha blocker predominates so less likely to produce
significant reduction in HR or CO- Geriatric risk r/t orthostatic hypotension
and falls
◍ Reversal for Alpha-1 antagonists?.
Answer: Glucagon
◍ What is the spectrum of infections treated by fluoroquinolones?.
Answer: Wide spectrum including UTI (E. coli), respiratory tract infections
(Haemophilus influenzae), and skin infections (Staphylococcus aureus)
◍ Beta-adrenergic antagonists (blockers) - what medical conditions do they
, treat?.
Answer: HTN (Stage II)MIHFTremorsHyperthyroidismAnginaMigraines
◍ Gabapentin (Neurontin) - age contraindication?.
Answer: Children 3-12 can cause behavioral problems, hostility, aggressive
behaviors, thought disorders -> change in school performance, hyperkinesia
◍ Fosfomycin side effects.
Answer: GI upset, headache; generally well tolerated.
◍ Multiple daily injections.
Answer: Combination of basal and bolus insulin, standard for type 1
diabetes and advanced T2DM with high A1c or variable glucose.
◍ Cholinergic symptoms?.
Answer: - Constricted pupils- Increased saliva- Bronchoconstriction-
Increased GI mucus- Bladder fundus contraction
◍ Meglitinides.
Answer: Repaglinide, nateglinide.
◍ Phenytoin, Ehytoin, Fosphenytoin - ADRs?.
Answer: Dry mouth, gingival hyperplasia, urinary retention
◍ Phenytoin - monitor?.
Answer: - Check blood levels (Vit D, K, folic acid), and do not give dose
until blood has been drawn- Urine (pinkish-red/brown color) is normal-
Keep seizure diary and note of behavior and school performance for dose
adjustments
◍ Risk of euglycemic diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).
Answer: Potential side effect of SGLT2 inhibitors.
◍ Metformin and glyburide in pregnancy.
Answer: Have limitations and variable placental transfer; some guidelines
prefer insulin as first-line when pharmacotherapy is required.
◍ Acute side effects of steroids.
Answer: Hyperglycemia, fluid retention, hypertension, mood changes,
, insomnia, increased appetite.
◍ TSH Monitoring.
Answer: Check TSH 6-8 weeks after initiation or dose change; once stable,
annually or if symptoms change or pregnancy occurs.
◍ Phenytoin, Ethytoin, Fosphenytoin - indication?.
Answer: Tonic-clonic and partial complex seizuresLeast sedating drugs to
treat Sz disordersNOT for use in absence seizuresNOT the first-line
treatment for status epilepticus
◍ GIP-GLP-1 agonists.
Answer: Dual agonists: tirzepatide class.
◍ Whipple triad.
Answer: Recognition criteria for hypoglycemia: symptoms of
adrenergic/neuroglycopenic symptoms, low plasma glucose (<70 mg/dL),
and symptom relief with glucose.
◍ Atropine - indication?.
Answer: GI diorders (adjunct tx), bradyarrhythmia, retinal dilator
◍ Anorexiant - pharmacokinetics.
Answer: Non-amphetamine appetite suppressants
◍ Vaginal candidiasis treatment.
Answer: Fluconazole single oral dose or topical azoles.
◍ Viral infections treatment.
Answer: Antivirals are virus-specific: HSV/VZV — acyclovir/valacyclovir;
influenza — oseltamivir (Tamiflu) early in course; HIV/HBV/HCV have
specific regimens.
◍ Different stages of clinical trials for a new drug required by the FDA:.
Answer: Phase I: establish biologic effects and safe dosage,
pharmacokinetics small number of healthy patientsPhase II: treat diseases in
small number of patients establish potential of drug to improve patient
outcomesPhase III: compare new medications to standard therapiesPhase IV
