Pharmacology Respiratory Drugs Quiz
Questions: 16 · 10 minutes
1. What is the primary pharmacologic action of montelukast?
Inhibition of phosphodiesterase-4
Stabilization of mast-cell membranes
Inhibition of 5-lipoxygenase
Blockade of cysteinyl leukotriene receptors
2. A patient struggles to coordinate pressing a metered-dose inhaler with breathing in. Which device can improve medication delivery without changing the prescribed drug?
A peak-flow meter
A spacer or valved holding chamber
An oxygen concentrator
A nasal irrigation bottle
3. Tiotropium belongs to which respiratory drug class?
Long-acting muscarinic antagonist
Short-acting beta-2 agonist
Inhaled corticosteroid
Leukotriene receptor antagonist
4. Why may serum drug concentrations be checked when a patient takes theophylline?
The drug becomes inactive unless a minimum lung concentration is reached.
Monitoring prevents corticosteroid-related adrenal suppression.
Blood testing determines whether it is selective for beta-2 receptors.
It has a narrow therapeutic index and variable clearance.
5. A patient has severe COPD with chronic bronchitis and frequent exacerbations despite appropriate inhaled therapy. What is the intended role of roflumilast in this situation?
To provide rapid bronchodilation during sudden breathlessness
To reduce the likelihood of future COPD exacerbations
To dissolve mucus immediately before airway clearance
To eradicate bacteria responsible for chronic bronchitis
6. A patient with asthma is prescribed the long-acting beta-2 agonist salmeterol. Which accompanying maintenance therapy is generally required to address the safety concern associated with LABA monotherapy in asthma?
An oral decongestant
A mucolytic
An inhaled corticosteroid
A first-generation antihistamine
7. During a severe asthma exacerbation in an emergency setting, which inhaled medication is commonly added to repeated short-acting beta-2 agonist treatment?
Ipratropium
Montelukast
Salmeterol
Roflumilast
8. A short course of oral prednisolone is prescribed during a significant asthma or COPD exacerbation. What is its main therapeutic action?
Broad suppression of airway inflammation through glucocorticoid effects
Blockade of muscarinic receptors to reduce vagal bronchoconstriction
Direct stimulation of beta-2 receptors for immediate bronchodilation
Cleavage of chemical bonds that give mucus its viscosity
9. Which action best explains how albuterol produces bronchodilation?
It stimulates beta-2 adrenergic receptors in airway smooth muscle.
It blocks muscarinic receptors in airway smooth muscle.
It inhibits leukotriene synthesis in inflammatory cells.
It reduces airway inflammation by activating glucocorticoid receptors.
10. Omalizumab is a biologic therapy that primarily targets which molecule?
Interleukin-5
Interleukin-4 receptor alpha
Immunoglobulin E
Tumor necrosis factor alpha
11. A patient using an inhaled corticosteroid develops recurrent oral thrush. Which instruction most directly helps reduce this adverse effect?
Use the inhaler only when sudden wheezing begins.
Take each dose with an oral antihistamine.
Rinse the mouth and spit after each dose.
Lie flat for several minutes after inhalation.
12. Mepolizumab helps reduce eosinophilic inflammation by targeting which signaling protein?
Immunoglobulin E
Interleukin-4 receptor alpha
Interleukin-5
Thymic stromal lymphopoietin
13. A patient with unusually thick respiratory secretions is given acetylcysteine as a mucolytic. How does it help thin the mucus?
It blocks histamine H1 receptors in the airway.
It suppresses the brainstem cough center.
It stimulates beta-2 receptors in the bronchi.
It disrupts disulfide bonds within mucus proteins.
14. A patient reports dry mouth and difficulty urinating after starting an inhaled maintenance drug. Which drug class most plausibly explains these effects?
Inhaled corticosteroids
Muscarinic antagonists
Leukotriene receptor antagonists
Mucolytics
15. Shortly after using albuterol, a patient notices hand tremor and a faster heartbeat. These effects are most consistent with which explanation?
Local immune suppression caused by an inhaled corticosteroid
Systemic adrenergic effects of a beta-2 agonist
Reduced glandular secretion caused by muscarinic blockade
Leukotriene receptor blockade in inflammatory cells
16. A patient says budesonide did not immediately relieve sudden wheezing and assumes it is ineffective. Which explanation is most accurate?
Budesonide is effective only when asthma is caused by seasonal allergens.
Budesonide works only after tolerance to a rescue inhaler develops.
Budesonide must be swallowed to relax bronchial smooth muscle.
Budesonide is a controller medicine whose anti-inflammatory benefit develops with regular use, not a rapid-relief bronchodilator.