Penn Foster Veterinary Pharmacology Final
Exam (Complete Questions, All Answered
100% Correctly)
Describe how drugs affect the nervous system.
Drugs affect the nervous system by acting at the synaptic junctions to promote
neurotransmitter activity, mimic their actions, or block them from acting. This can lead to
changes in mood, perception, and bodily functions influenced by neural pathways.
Identify examples of respiratory drugs.
Respiratory drugs include expectorants, which help expel mucus; mucolytics, which thin mucus;
antitussives, which suppress coughing; bronchodilators, which widen air passages; and
decongestants, which relieve nasal congestion.
List which drugs are used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs), opioids, antihistamines, muscle relaxers, steroids, and nerve blocks.
Summarize the difference between ophthalmic and otic drugs.
Ophthalmic drugs are specifically formulated for administration into the eyes to treat conditions
such as infections, inflammation, or glaucoma, while otic drugs are designed for use in the ears,
addressing issues like infections or excessive wax buildup.
Compare and contrast cardiovascular and gastrointestinal drugs.
Cardiovascular drugs primarily manage conditions related to the heart and blood vessels,
impacting blood pressure, heart rate, and circulation. Conversely, gastrointestinal drugs target
digestive health by addressing issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, often altering gut
motility and digestive enzyme production.
Describe how antiparasitic drugs work.
,Antiparasitic drugs work by destroying parasites or inhibiting their growth. Most of these
medications interfere with the parasites' nervous systems, preventing them from moving or
reproducing, effectively acting to eliminate them from the host animal.
Discuss why replacement drugs are often necessary for animal health.
Replacement drugs are essential for maintaining animal health when specific substances, such
as hormones or enzymes, are deficient. These drugs help restore normal physiological functions
and can be critical for treating conditions such as hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency.
Explain the veterinary technician's role in inventory control.
Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in inventory control by keeping the staff informed
about discontinued items, tracking backordered products, packing up items for return to
vendors (e.g., expired products), rotating stock appropriately, maintaining accurate prices, and
organizing inventory for easy access and counting. They're also responsible for receiving and
inspecting orders upon arrival.
Define: Agonist.
An agonist is a drug that has an affinity for a receptor and stimulates that receptor into action.
Define: Contraindication.
A contraindication is a specific reason not to use a drug in a particular situation, often related to
patient safety.
Define: Efficacy.
Efficacy refers to the degree to which a drug produces its desired therapeutic response.
Define: Over-the-counter drug.
An over-the-counter drug is one that can be purchased without a prescription from a
veterinarian.
Define: Prescription Drug.
A prescription drug is one that must be used under the supervision of a veterinarian.
, Define: Receptor.
A receptor is a group of specialized molecules on or in a cell that bind with a drug, resulting in a
biological effect.
Define: Therapeutic Index.
The therapeutic index expresses the relationship between a drug's therapeutic effects and its
harmful effects.
Define: Withdrawal Time.
Withdrawal time is the amount of time that must elapse between the end of drug therapy and
the elimination of that drug from the patient's tissues or products.
Define: Veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
This relationship must exist between the veterinarian, the patient, and the owner before
prescription drugs can be dispensed.
List 4 sources of drugs used in Vet Med.
Drugs used in veterinary medicine can be sourced from animal products, plant materials,
minerals, and synthetic products.
What are 4 components of a drug regimen?
The four components of a drug regimen include the dose, route of administration, frequency of
administration, and duration of therapy.
Discuss the conditions that must be met before a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship
can be shown to exist.
For a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship to exist, the veterinarian must assume
responsibility for making clinical judgments about the animal’s health, must have recently seen
the animal and be acquainted with its care, and must be available for follow-up care.
Discuss the responsibilities of a vet tech in the administration of drug orders.
Exam (Complete Questions, All Answered
100% Correctly)
Describe how drugs affect the nervous system.
Drugs affect the nervous system by acting at the synaptic junctions to promote
neurotransmitter activity, mimic their actions, or block them from acting. This can lead to
changes in mood, perception, and bodily functions influenced by neural pathways.
Identify examples of respiratory drugs.
Respiratory drugs include expectorants, which help expel mucus; mucolytics, which thin mucus;
antitussives, which suppress coughing; bronchodilators, which widen air passages; and
decongestants, which relieve nasal congestion.
List which drugs are used to relieve pain and inflammation.
Drugs used to relieve pain and inflammation include NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs), opioids, antihistamines, muscle relaxers, steroids, and nerve blocks.
Summarize the difference between ophthalmic and otic drugs.
Ophthalmic drugs are specifically formulated for administration into the eyes to treat conditions
such as infections, inflammation, or glaucoma, while otic drugs are designed for use in the ears,
addressing issues like infections or excessive wax buildup.
Compare and contrast cardiovascular and gastrointestinal drugs.
Cardiovascular drugs primarily manage conditions related to the heart and blood vessels,
impacting blood pressure, heart rate, and circulation. Conversely, gastrointestinal drugs target
digestive health by addressing issues like vomiting, diarrhea, and constipation, often altering gut
motility and digestive enzyme production.
Describe how antiparasitic drugs work.
,Antiparasitic drugs work by destroying parasites or inhibiting their growth. Most of these
medications interfere with the parasites' nervous systems, preventing them from moving or
reproducing, effectively acting to eliminate them from the host animal.
Discuss why replacement drugs are often necessary for animal health.
Replacement drugs are essential for maintaining animal health when specific substances, such
as hormones or enzymes, are deficient. These drugs help restore normal physiological functions
and can be critical for treating conditions such as hypothyroidism or adrenal insufficiency.
Explain the veterinary technician's role in inventory control.
Veterinary technicians play a crucial role in inventory control by keeping the staff informed
about discontinued items, tracking backordered products, packing up items for return to
vendors (e.g., expired products), rotating stock appropriately, maintaining accurate prices, and
organizing inventory for easy access and counting. They're also responsible for receiving and
inspecting orders upon arrival.
Define: Agonist.
An agonist is a drug that has an affinity for a receptor and stimulates that receptor into action.
Define: Contraindication.
A contraindication is a specific reason not to use a drug in a particular situation, often related to
patient safety.
Define: Efficacy.
Efficacy refers to the degree to which a drug produces its desired therapeutic response.
Define: Over-the-counter drug.
An over-the-counter drug is one that can be purchased without a prescription from a
veterinarian.
Define: Prescription Drug.
A prescription drug is one that must be used under the supervision of a veterinarian.
, Define: Receptor.
A receptor is a group of specialized molecules on or in a cell that bind with a drug, resulting in a
biological effect.
Define: Therapeutic Index.
The therapeutic index expresses the relationship between a drug's therapeutic effects and its
harmful effects.
Define: Withdrawal Time.
Withdrawal time is the amount of time that must elapse between the end of drug therapy and
the elimination of that drug from the patient's tissues or products.
Define: Veterinarian-client-patient relationship.
This relationship must exist between the veterinarian, the patient, and the owner before
prescription drugs can be dispensed.
List 4 sources of drugs used in Vet Med.
Drugs used in veterinary medicine can be sourced from animal products, plant materials,
minerals, and synthetic products.
What are 4 components of a drug regimen?
The four components of a drug regimen include the dose, route of administration, frequency of
administration, and duration of therapy.
Discuss the conditions that must be met before a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship
can be shown to exist.
For a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship to exist, the veterinarian must assume
responsibility for making clinical judgments about the animal’s health, must have recently seen
the animal and be acquainted with its care, and must be available for follow-up care.
Discuss the responsibilities of a vet tech in the administration of drug orders.
