A Lesson In Pharmacology Trivia Quiz

Answer: Cold, clammy sweat

Cold, clammy sweat,(also known as diaphoresis), is the hallmark sign of low blood sugar. This is also known as hypoglycemia. The other signs are results of excessively high blood sugars. If you suspect a patient in hypoglycemia, give them sugar quick. This could become a medical emergency. Other signs are confusion, unsteadiness, and loss of conciousness.

Answer: Rat poison

Believe it or not, the active ingredient in coumadin is warfarin. Warfarin is the same ingredient in rat poison. Warfarin can slow the clotting process. When this is used therapeutically is can stop unnecessary blood clots from forming. If too much is taken then it can cause uncontrollable bleeding. The best way to manage it is using lab tests called PT/INRs.

Answer: Respiration

Morphine is notorious for causing respiratory depression. The other vital signs can be affected somewhat by morphine, but respiration is something that is very important to watch.

Answer: The patient complaining of hearing loss

Gentamicin is an antibiotic of the aminoglycoside family. Aminoglycosides are known for being ototoxic and nephrotoxic. This means toxic to the ears and kidneys. If the patient complains of hearing loss then hold the drug and notify the doctor immediately.

The other three represent GI disturbances. GI disturbances are a usual side effect from taking most antibiotics. If it gets to be too much then notify the doctor and he will order something to help with the nausea or change the antibiotic.

Answer: Percocet

Percocet is a pain reliever that contains tylenol. You should be able to pick it out because it has "cet" in the name. The "cet" stands for A"cet"aminophen, the generic name for tylenol. Any drug that ends in "cet" like percocet and darvocet contains tylenol. Ibuprofen is an NSAID, (non steroidal anti inflammatory drug). Losartan is an antihypertensive. HCTZ, hydrochlorothiazide, is a diuretic.

Answer: Aspirin

Aspirin is known for its analgesic and antipyretic properties, but is also known for its antiplatelet actions. This means that it helps to slow down clotting of the blood. During a myocardial infarction, (heart attack), the blood supply to some of the heart tissue is blocked. An aspirin can thin the blood and keep it flowing until the patient gets to the hospital. Acetaminophen and Ibuprofen do really nothing for a heart attack. Morphine can help relieve some of the pain but will not slow the process down. If a person feels like he or she is having a heart attack then it is best to chew an aspirin on the way to the emergency room.

Answer: Lisinopril

Lisinopril is an ACE inhibitor. It is easy to pick out ACE inhibitors because they end in "pril". Drugs that end in "sartan" are what are called angiotensin receptor blockers. Drugs that end in "olol" are what we call beta blockers. Panteprazole is a drug used to manage acid reflux, called a proton pump inhibitor.

Answer: Protamine sulfate

Heparin is another anticoagulant. It is usually injected while coumadin is taken in pill form. Protamine sulfate is the antidote for too much heparin while vitamin K is for too much coumadin. Calcium gluconate is used for magnesium sulfate poisoning. Magnesium sulfate is used to control seizures in pregnant women with eclampsia. Acetylcysteine is used for a Acetaminophen overdose.

Answer: Hypokalemia

Hypokalemia is a term that describes low level of potassium in the blood. When the potassium is low you run the risk for an over dose of digoxin. Digoxin is a drug known as a cardiotonic agent. It slows the heartbeat and causes the heart to pump much stronger thus increasing the cardiac output. You should be aware of these symptoms, vomiting, visual disturbances and dizziness.

These are the hallmark signs of digoxin overdose.

Answer: Thalidomide

The answer is thalidomide. This is a very sad story. Back in the late 50s it was discovered that thalidomide did wonders in controlling gastrointestinal distress in pregnant women. This drug was prescribed for this purpose. After the babies were born it was discovered that thalidomide was teratogenic, this means causing birth defects.

The babies were born with flipper like arms and legs. Now only a doctor with a special licence can prescribe this drug.