Pharmacology of the Cardiovascular and Central Nervous Systems
121. Major tranquilizers:
a. F: minor tranquilizers are used for this purpose.
b. F
c. T
d. T
e. T
122. 5-HT:
a. T: reserpine disrupts the storage of all monoamines.
b. T: monoamine oxidase metabolizes 5-HT to 5-hydroxy-indoleacetic acid.
c. T
d. F: only 5-HT stored in nerves has a neurotransmitter role.
e. F: clomipramine, a TCA, blocks 5-HT re-uptake.
123. The following drugs affect 5-HT mechanisms in the ways indicated:
a. F: L-tryptophan is the precursor of 5-HT.
b. F: it is a 5-HT receptor blocker.
c. T
d. T: fenfluramine is used as an anorectic, which both releases 5-HT and blocks its neuronal re-uptake.
e. T: it has been used to stimulate appetite in children.
124. The following are amino-acid neurotransmitters which decrease neural activity.
a. T: glycine is an inhibitory neurotransmitter in the spinal cord.
b. F
c. T
d. F: leucine enkephalin is a peptide neurotransmitter.
e. F
125. Gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA):
a. T
b. T
c. T
d. T
e. F: GABA-receptor blockers such as bicuculline and picrotoxin are convulsants.
126. Lithium:
a. F
b. F
c. F: the half-life of lithium is 15 - 30h and it is usually given 12 hourly to avoid large fluctuations in plasma concentration.
d. T: lithium is reabsorbed in the renal tubule along with sodium.
e. F: thiazide diuretics increase sodium excretion thus they will increase lithium toxicity.
127. The following statements about benzodiazepines are true:
a. F
b. T
c. T
d. F
e. F
128. Temazepam:
a. T
b. F: benzodiazepines suppress REM sleep; no hypnotic induces natural sleep.
c. F
d. T: the hangover-inducing effect of nitrazepam taken at bedtime may carry over into the afternoon of the following day. Temazepam has little or no hangover effect compared to nitrazepam.
e. T: benzodiazepines such as temazepam with a short half-life (6 - 8h) are more likely to cause rebound insomnia.
129. The following can occur with prolonged use of barbiturates:
a. T: cross-tolerance occurs to other hypnotics, e.g. chloral hydrate, glutethimide, whereby the hypnotic effect of these compounds decrease, partly due to induction of hepatic enzymes by barbiturate.
b. F
c. T
d. T: rapid withdrawal of anticonvulsant is one of the most common causes of status epilepticus.
e. F: while marked tolerance occurs to the hypnotic effects, tolerance occurs to a lesser extent to the respiratory depressant effect of barbiturates.
130. The following barbiturates are commonly used for the purposes indicated:
a. F: it is used to induce general anaesthesia.
b. F: barbiturates do not have analgesic actions.
c. F: phenobarbitone is used in the long-term management of grand mal epilepsy; phenytoin is used to manage status epilepticus.
d. T
e. F