HOSA PHARMACOLOGY LATEST EXAM ACTUAL EXAM
What is a drug? - ANSWER: A substance that changes the biological activity within a
person
Where can drugs come from? - ANSWER: 1) Plants
2) Animals
3) Microorganisms
4) Synthesized
Idiosyncratic - ANSWER: An unexpected reaction to a drug
Latrogenic - ANSWER: Negative effects on the body due to incorrect medication or
drug overdose
Teratogenic - ANSWER: Harmful effects on the fetus
Synergism - ANSWER: When the combination of drugs increase the effects of the
drugs.
(Can be fatal)
Antagonism - ANSWER: When the combination of drugs decrease the effects of the
drugs. (Antidotes)
What are some points to consider in administrating drugs? - ANSWER: 1) Absorption
2) Transport in the blood
3) Half-Life of the drug
Oral Route - ANSWER: Pros) Safe, painless, easy to take, economical, no
sterilization needed
Cons) Slow absorption means slow action, can't be used with uncooperative,
vomiting, and unconscious patients, First-pass effect
Oral dosage forms - ANSWER: 1) Capsules
2) Powders
3) Tablets
4) Spansules
5) Syrups
Sublingual/Buccal Route - ANSWER: Pros) Quick absorption, first pass avoided,
economical
Cons) Bitter, large quantities not given, few drugs absorbed
, Rectal Route (The Butt) - ANSWER: Pros) Used in children, almost no first pass
effect, can be used on vomiting/unconscious patients, higher concentrations
rapidly achieved
Cons) Inconvenient, erratic absorption, irritation of the rectal mucosa
Enteral - ANSWER: 1) Oral
2) Sub-lingual
3) Rectual
Intradermal - ANSWER: Injection into the skin at 15 degrees
Subcutaneous - ANSWER: Injection to the subcutaneous tissues at 45 degrees
Pros) Minimizes the risks associated with IV injections and avoids vasoconstriction
(constricts blood vessels which increases blood pressure)
Cons) Small volumes only, irritant drugs cannot be injected
Intramuscular Route (IM) - ANSWER: Injection to the large skeletal muscle at 90
degrees
Pros) Avoid first pass effect, rapid onset of action, gastric factors avoided,
reasonably uniform absorption
Cons) Up to 10 mL, expensive, possibility of infection or nerve damage, local
hematoma (swelling caused by clotted blood within the tissues)
Intravenous Route (IV) - ANSWER: Injection directly into the bloodstream
Pros) Avoid first pass effect, rapid effect, large quantities can be given, fairly pain
free, 100% bioavailability
Cons) May cause hemolysis or other adverse effects from rapid delivery, or
thrombophlebitis (inflammation from a blood clot in a vein)
Intradermal Route - ANSWER: Injection into the skin
Intrathecal/Intraventricular Route - ANSWER: Injections directly into the
cerebrospinal fluid (near the brain)
Pros) Avoids the blood brain barrier, administered this way for anesthesia
Cons) Dangerous
Transdermal - ANSWER: Administered through patches on the skin (drugs would be
lipid soluble)
What is a drug? - ANSWER: A substance that changes the biological activity within a
person
Where can drugs come from? - ANSWER: 1) Plants
2) Animals
3) Microorganisms
4) Synthesized
Idiosyncratic - ANSWER: An unexpected reaction to a drug
Latrogenic - ANSWER: Negative effects on the body due to incorrect medication or
drug overdose
Teratogenic - ANSWER: Harmful effects on the fetus
Synergism - ANSWER: When the combination of drugs increase the effects of the
drugs.
(Can be fatal)
Antagonism - ANSWER: When the combination of drugs decrease the effects of the
drugs. (Antidotes)
What are some points to consider in administrating drugs? - ANSWER: 1) Absorption
2) Transport in the blood
3) Half-Life of the drug
Oral Route - ANSWER: Pros) Safe, painless, easy to take, economical, no
sterilization needed
Cons) Slow absorption means slow action, can't be used with uncooperative,
vomiting, and unconscious patients, First-pass effect
Oral dosage forms - ANSWER: 1) Capsules
2) Powders
3) Tablets
4) Spansules
5) Syrups
Sublingual/Buccal Route - ANSWER: Pros) Quick absorption, first pass avoided,
economical
Cons) Bitter, large quantities not given, few drugs absorbed
, Rectal Route (The Butt) - ANSWER: Pros) Used in children, almost no first pass
effect, can be used on vomiting/unconscious patients, higher concentrations
rapidly achieved
Cons) Inconvenient, erratic absorption, irritation of the rectal mucosa
Enteral - ANSWER: 1) Oral
2) Sub-lingual
3) Rectual
Intradermal - ANSWER: Injection into the skin at 15 degrees
Subcutaneous - ANSWER: Injection to the subcutaneous tissues at 45 degrees
Pros) Minimizes the risks associated with IV injections and avoids vasoconstriction
(constricts blood vessels which increases blood pressure)
Cons) Small volumes only, irritant drugs cannot be injected
Intramuscular Route (IM) - ANSWER: Injection to the large skeletal muscle at 90
degrees
Pros) Avoid first pass effect, rapid onset of action, gastric factors avoided,
reasonably uniform absorption
Cons) Up to 10 mL, expensive, possibility of infection or nerve damage, local
hematoma (swelling caused by clotted blood within the tissues)
Intravenous Route (IV) - ANSWER: Injection directly into the bloodstream
Pros) Avoid first pass effect, rapid effect, large quantities can be given, fairly pain
free, 100% bioavailability
Cons) May cause hemolysis or other adverse effects from rapid delivery, or
thrombophlebitis (inflammation from a blood clot in a vein)
Intradermal Route - ANSWER: Injection into the skin
Intrathecal/Intraventricular Route - ANSWER: Injections directly into the
cerebrospinal fluid (near the brain)
Pros) Avoids the blood brain barrier, administered this way for anesthesia
Cons) Dangerous
Transdermal - ANSWER: Administered through patches on the skin (drugs would be
lipid soluble)
