PAST-YEARS’ EXAM QUESTIONS CNS

1. ANTICONVULSANT associated with the ds. Explain the

A 23 y/o man recently diagnosed with
generalized tonic-clonic seizure with 2-
3 attacks in previous month. His
doctor decided to put him on phenytoin
therapy.
(a) Discuss the suitability of treating
this pt with phenytoin (2 marks)
(b) How would it be administered &
what is the therapeutic goal (1
mark)
(c) What is the mechanism of action (2
marks)
(d) Briefly describe pharmacokinetic
aspect of elimination (1 mark)
(e) Give 2 central neurological side
effects related to high serum levels
of phenytoin (1 mark)
(f) Give 2 long-term adverse effects
not involving the CNS system that
this pt might experience (1 mark)
(g) Give 2 other drugs which are also
effective in controlling this type of
epilepsy (2 marks)
(h) What is status epilepticus & how to
treat it (2 marks)
mechanism of action (2 marks)
3. LOCAL ANAESTHETIC
(a) Explain mechanism of action of
local anaesthetic (4 marks)
(b) For each of these procedures,
name the type of local anaesthetic
& give the suitable agent (3 marks)
a. Tracheal intubation
b. Child birth
c. Minor surgery
(c) State 3 adverse effects of local
anaesthetics (3 marks)
4. DRUG OF ABUSE
(a) How would you classify drug of
abuse? Give an example of each
category (6 marks)
(b) Explain pharmacological factors
that affect drug dependence (4
marks)
(c) Name 2 pharmacological agents
used in the treatment for drug
abuse. Explain their mechanism of
action (4 marks)

2. MOVEMENT DISORDER (Katzung pg 5. ANTIANXIETY/DRUGS OF ABUSE

Mary, a 35 y/o teacher was put on
Pn Maria a 75 y/o lady had been
lorazepam, a benzodiazepine, for
diagnosed with Parkinson’s ds & was
anxiety. After a month, her psychiatrist
treated with levodopa.
noted that she developed dependence
on the drug.
(a) How does levodopa works? (1
(a) What kind of dependence that can
mark)
develop dt long-term treatment
(b) Levodopa has been combined with
with this drug (2 marks)
another drug in a preparation
(b) What is the desired effect sought
called Sinemet. What is the usage
by the user?
of this drug? Why is it combined
(c) What are other effects of
with levodopa? (3 marks)
benzodiazepines?
(c) After a few months, Pn Maria’s
(d) What symptoms may be induced if
daughter noticed that her mum
the doctor suddenly stops the
developed sudden, unpredictable
drug?
fluctuations btwn mobility &
(e) How can the doctor avoid this?
immobility. What is happening to
Pn Maria? How could you help her?
6. DRUGS OF ABUSE
(2 marks)
A teenager was brought to the A&E
(d) Pn Maria was given a ‘drug
department by the police for
holiday’. What is the purpose of
suspecting morphine abuse. The police
this? (1 mark)
claimed that the teenager took his last
(e) What complication that could arise
dose of morphine the day before.
from this ‘holiday’?
(a) What are the teenager’s sign &
(f) At some time, Pn Maria had been
symptoms that could confirm the
taking vitamin supplements that
police claim? (4 marks)
contain pyridoxine. Describe the
(b) Explain the pharmacological effects
interaction that could happen with
that would be faced by the
levodopa & pyridoxine (2 marks)
teenager dt long-term intake of
(g) What anti-Parkinson agent can you morphine? (4 marks)
give to alleviate the tremor
 (c) What would be the most suitable
agent to cease the teenager’s sign
and symptoms
(2 marks)

7. ANTIDEPRESSANTS
TRICYCLIC ANTIDEPRESSANTS
(a) Give 2 examples of drug that
belong to this group ( 1 mark)
(b) What is the mode of action as an
antidepressant (1 mark)
(c) Give 2 side effects (2 marks)
(d) Give 2 other use (2 marks)
SELECTIVE SEROTONIN REUPTAKE
INHIBITORS
(e) Give 2 examples of drugs that
belong to this group (1 mark)
(f) What is the mode of action? (1
mark)
(g) Give 2 side effects (2 marks)
MONOAMINE OXIDASE INHIBITORS
(h) Give 2 examples of drugs that
belong to this group (1 mark)
(i) What is its mode of action? (1
mark)
(j) Give 2 side effects (2 marks)