PHARMACOLOGY | SAMPLE EXAM QUESTIONS

# QUESTIONS CHOICES & ANSWER RATIONALE

1 Which of the following is a pharmacokinetic fetal factor? A. single intrauterine exposure A – pharmacodynamic fetal factor
to drugs at a critical period of B – pharmacodynamic fetal factor
development leads to C – greater BBB permeability will increase the risk of toxicity to the fetus
structural deformities/defects D – pharmacokinetic fetal factor; there will be increased ion trapping
B. continued exposure to a which will increase risk of toxicity to the fetus
teratogen may produce
cumulative effects on varying
stages of development
C. less permeability of the
blood-brain barrier
D. fetal plasma and amniotic
fluid are slightly more acidic
than maternal blood
2 A drug was approved by FDA for use in pregnancy, it was A. risk cannot be ruled out A – controlled studies show no risk
classified as C. What does this mean? B. positive evidence of risk B – no evidence of risk in human
C. no evidence of risk in C – risk cannot be ruled out
humans D – positive evidence of risk
D. controlled studies show no X – contraindicated in pregnancy
risk
3 This drug when given to mothers can induce early A. valproic acid Phenobarbital can induce early maturation of fetal hepatic enzymes
maturation of fetal hepatic enzymes: B. carbamazepine which can result into greater ability of the neonate to metabolize certain
C. phenobarbital drugs leading to less therapeutic effect and lower plasma drug
D. phenytoin concentration.
4 Which of the following drugs will decrease milk production A. cimetidine A – increase
when given to a breastfeeding mom? B. levodopa B – decrease
C. methyldopa C – increase
D. metoclopramide D – increase
For numbers 5 and 6: A 25 year old mother on her 20th week of gestation was diagnosed to have PTB.
5 Which of the following anti-TB drugs should NOT be given A. isoniazid Streptomycin is an AMINOGLYCOSIDE. It should be avoided in
to her because of its adverse effect on the fetus? B. ethambutol pregnancy because it will induce fetal ototoxicity.
C. pyrazinamide
D. streptomycin Side note: amiNOglycosides – nephrotoxic and ototoxic
6 What is the most likely adverse effect of the above drug to A. impaired visual acuity
the fetus or neonate? B. eight nerve damage
C. cognitive impairment
D. delayed skeletal growth
For numbers 7, 8, and 9: Given the following teratogenic mechanisms:
7 A 25 y/o G2P1 mother on her 1st trimester of pregnancy A. oxidative stress Folate antagonism – methotrexate, aminopterin, valproic acid
receiving methotrexate as part of her chemotherapy B. vascular disruption
C. folate antagonism
D. neural crest disruption
8 A 30 y/o mother on her 10th week of gestation on A. oxidative stress Neural crest disruption – valproic acid, retinoids, carbamazepine
maintenance carbamazepine for her seizure disorder B. vascular disruption
C. folate antagonism
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D. neural crest disruption

9 A 22 y/o female on her 12th week of gestation on A. oxidative stress Oxidative stress – thalidomide, phenytoin, valproic acid
maintenance phenytoin for her epilepsy B. vascular disruption
C. folate antagonism
D. neural crest disruption
For numbers 10, 11, and 12: Match the drug to its teratogenic effect.
10 Microcephaly, mental retardation, cleft lip/palate, A. enalapril These are group of defects known as fetal hydantoin syndrome caused
hypoplastic nails and distal phalanges B. phenytoin to the developing fetus by exposure to teratogenic effects of phenytoin.
C. alcohol
D. clomipramine
11 Fetal/neonatal death (hypotension), oligohydramnios, A. enalapril Enalapril is an ACE INHIBITOR, it induces these adverse effects on the
pulmonary hypoplasia, neonatal anuria, IUGR B. phenytoin developing fetus.
C. alcohol
D. clomipramine
12 Neonatal lethargy, hypotonia, hyponatremia A. enalapril Clomipramine causes neonatal lethargy, hypotonia, cyanosis and
B. phenytoin hypothermia. The use of clomipramine should be avoided in the third
C. alcohol trimester.
D. clomipramine
For numbers 13, 14, and 15: Match the antibiotics with their safety in pregnancy:
13 Gentamicin A. Considered SAFE in Gentamicin is an AMINOGLYCOSIDE. It should be avoided in pregnancy
pregnancy because it will induce fetal ototoxicity.
B. MAY BE USED in
pregnancy under certain
circumstances
C. AVOIDED in pregnancy
14 Cefuroxime A. Considered SAFE in Cefuroxime is a CEPHALOSPORIN (2nd gen) and is considered safe in
pregnancy pregnancy.
B. MAY BE USED in
pregnancy under certain
circumstances
C. AVOIDED in pregnancy
15 Vancomycin A. Considered SAFE in Vancomycin may be used only for treating staphylococcal sepsis.
pregnancy
B. MAY BE USED in
pregnancy under certain
circumstances
C. AVOIDED in pregnancy
16-20 A 25 year-old G2P1 mother on her 9th week gestation A. Co-trimoxazole 160 mg/800 A, B, and C are absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy (sulfonamides,
developed fever and dysuria. She was diagnosed to have mg/tablet aminoglycosides, ciprofloxacin)
urinary tract infection. Choose from the following drugs: B. Gentamicin 40 mg/mL/vial
(20mL) Rx Amoxicillin 500 mg/tablet
C. Ciprofloxacin 500 mg/tablet Dispense 14 tablets
D. Amoxicillin 500 mg/tablet
Take 1 tab every 12 hours by mouth for 7 days

REFERENCES
Pharmacology Long Exams

END OF SAMPLEX RATIONALE

Prepared by: Santos, Juan Miguel