UPSC-CMS 2021 - Pharmacology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following statements regarding the composition of common crystalloid solutions is correct ?

Normal saline contains 154 mEq/L of Na+. ***Normal saline contains 154 mEq/L of Na+*** - Normal saline (0.9% NaCl) contains **154 mEq/L of both Na+ and Cl-**, making this statement factually correct. - This makes normal saline **hypernatremic and hyperchloremic** compared to plasma (which has ~140 mEq/L Na+ and ~103 mEq/L Cl-). - Normal saline is useful for correcting **hyponatremia** and for significant volume expansion, but large volumes can cause **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis**. *Hartmann's solution contains 140 mEq/L of Na+* - Hartmann's solution (Lactated Ringer's) actually contains approximately **130 mEq/L of Na+**, not 140 mEq/L. - The sodium content is designed to be closer to that of **plasma**, making it a more physiologically balanced solution. *Hartmann's solution contains 120 mEq/L of Cl-* - Hartmann's solution contains approximately **109-110 mEq/L of Cl-**, not 120 mEq/L. - This **lower chloride content** compared to normal saline, along with the presence of lactate (28 mEq/L), contributes to a reduced risk of hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis. - The lactate is metabolized to bicarbonate, providing a mild alkalinizing effect. *Normal saline contains 140 mEq/L of Cl-* - Normal saline contains **154 mEq/L of Cl-**, not 140 mEq/L. - Its high chloride content can lead to **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis** with large-volume administration. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which one of the following statements regarding the composition of common crystalloid solutions is correct ?

Hartmann’s solution contains 111 meq/L of Cl. ***Hartmann’s solution contains 111 meq/L of Cl*** - **Hartmann's solution** (Lactated Ringer's) typically contains **111 mmol/L** (or meq/L) of chloride. - Its electrolyte composition aims to mimic plasma more closely than normal saline, with **lower chloride content** to reduce the risk of hyperchloremic acidosis. *Hartmann’s solution contains 111 meq/L of Na* - Hartmann's solution contains approximately **130 meq/L of Na**, not 111 meq/L. - The sodium concentration is higher than 111 meq/L to maintain **isotonicity** and match plasma osmolality. *Normal saline contains 130 meq/L of Cl* - **Normal saline (0.9% NaCl)** contains **154 meq/L of Cl**, which is significantly higher than 130 meq/L. - Its high chloride content can lead to **hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis** if administered in large volumes. *Normal saline contains 100 meq/L of Na* - **Normal saline (0.9% NaCl)** contains **154 meq/L of Na**, not 100 meq/L [1]. - This higher sodium concentration contributes to its **isotonicity** with plasma [1]. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Consider the following in respect of Ormeloxifene : 1. It is a research product of Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow 2. It is a steroidal compound 3. It is a potent antiestrogen with weak estrogenic properties 4. It does not inhibit ovulation Which of the above are correct ?

1, 3 and 4. ***1, 3 and 4*** - Ormeloxifene, also known as **Centchroman**, was developed by the **Central Drug Research Institute (CDRI), Lucknow**, making statement 1 **correct**. - It is a **selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM)** that acts as a **potent antiestrogen** in the uterus and breast, with **weak estrogenic activity** in other tissues like bone, thus statement 3 is **correct**. - Ormeloxifene has a **unique mechanism** among contraceptives: it **does not inhibit ovulation**. Instead, it works by **preventing implantation** through endometrial changes and altering cervical mucus, making statement 4 **correct**. - Statement 2 is **incorrect** because Ormeloxifene is a **non-steroidal compound**, not a steroidal one. *1, 2 and 3* - This option is incorrect because statement 2, claiming Ormeloxifene is a **steroidal compound**, is false. Ormeloxifene is a **non-steroidal SERM**. - While statements 1 and 3 are correct, the inclusion of incorrect statement 2 makes this option wrong. *1 and 3 only* - While statements 1 and 3 are indeed correct, this option is **incomplete** as it excludes statement 4. - Statement 4 is also correct—Ormeloxifene **does not inhibit ovulation**, which is a key distinguishing feature of this contraceptive. *2, 3 and 4* - This option is incorrect because statement 2 is false—Ormeloxifene is **non-steroidal**, not steroidal. - Although statements 3 and 4 are correct, the inclusion of the false statement 2 makes this entire option incorrect. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following drugs should be avoided in the first-line ART regimens because of its well recognized metabolic toxicities ?

Stavudine (d4T). ***Stavudine (d4T)*** - **Stavudine** is a **nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (NRTI)** that is well-known for its significant **metabolic toxicities**, including **lipoatrophy**, peripheral neuropathy, and lactic acidosis [1]. - Due to these severe side effects, it is no longer recommended for first-line ART regimens and its use is generally avoided. *Tenofovir (TDF)* - While Tenofovir (TDF) can cause **renal toxicity** and **bone mineral density loss** [2], it is generally considered a safer option than stavudine regarding severe metabolic toxicities like lipoatrophy. - TDF is commonly used in first-line ART regimens, often in combination with other drugs. *Zidovudine (AZT)* - **Zidovudine** is associated with side effects such as **bone marrow suppression** (leading to anemia and neutropenia), myopathy, and gastrointestinal upset, but not typically the severe metabolic toxicities seen with stavudine. - It is still used in some ART regimens, particularly for prevention of mother-to-child transmission. *Lamivudine (3TC)* - **Lamivudine** is generally well-tolerated with a favorable side effect profile, primarily mild gastrointestinal symptoms, and is rarely associated with significant metabolic toxicities. - It is a cornerstone drug in many first-line ART regimens due to its efficacy and safety. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: The recommended dose of cotrimoxazole for treatment of pneumonia in a child weighing 16 kg is

Three paediatric tablets twice a day. ***Three paediatric tablets twice a day*** - A paediatric cotrimoxazole tablet contains **20 mg trimethoprim + 100 mg sulfamethoxazole**. - The recommended dose for pneumonia is **4 mg/kg trimethoprim + 20 mg/kg sulfamethoxazole** twice daily. - For a 16 kg child: Required dose = **64 mg trimethoprim + 320 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - Three tablets provide **60 mg trimethoprim + 300 mg sulfamethoxazole**, which is the closest appropriate dose to the calculated requirement. *One paediatric tablet twice a day* - This provides only **20 mg trimethoprim + 100 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - This is **grossly inadequate** for a 16 kg child, providing less than one-third of the required dose. - Such underdosing risks treatment failure and antibiotic resistance. *Two paediatric tablets twice a day* - This provides **40 mg trimethoprim + 200 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - While better than one tablet, this is still **subtherapeutic** for a 16 kg child with pneumonia. - This represents only about 60% of the recommended dose. *Four paediatric tablets twice a day* - This provides **80 mg trimethoprim + 400 mg sulfamethoxazole** per dose. - This is **slightly higher** than required but would risk unnecessary adverse effects. - Three tablets is the more appropriate choice for this weight range. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which of the following statements regarding the composition of common crystalloid solutions is correct ?

Accepted Answer

Normal saline contains 154 mEq/L of Na+

Answer

Hartmann's solution contains 120 mEq/L of Cl-

Answer

Hartmann's solution contains 140 mEq/L of Na+

Answer

Normal saline contains 140 mEq/L of Cl-

Question 2

Which one of the following statements regarding the composition of common crystalloid solutions is correct ?

Accepted Answer

Hartmann’s solution contains 111 meq/L of Cl

Answer

Hartmann’s solution contains 111 meq/L of Na

Answer

Normal saline contains 130 meq/L of Cl

Answer

Normal saline contains 100 meq/L of Na

Question 3

Consider the following in respect of Ormeloxifene :

1. It is a research product of Central Drug Research Institute, Lucknow
2. It is a steroidal compound
3. It is a potent antiestrogen with weak estrogenic properties
4. It does not inhibit ovulation Which of the above are correct ?

Accepted Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1 and 3 only

Question 4

Which of the following drugs should be avoided in the first-line ART regimens because of its well recognized metabolic toxicities ?

Accepted Answer

Stavudine (d4T)

Answer

Tenofovir (TDF)

Answer

Zidovudine (AZT)

Answer

Lamivudine (3TC)

Question 5

The recommended dose of cotrimoxazole for treatment of pneumonia in a child weighing 16 kg is

Accepted Answer

Three paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

Four paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

Two paediatric tablets twice a day

Answer

One paediatric tablet twice a day

Question 6

Which of the following vaccines are given through the intramuscular route?

1. BCG vaccine
2. Hepatitis B vaccine
3. Pentavalent vaccine
4. Inactivated Polio vaccine

Accepted Answer

2, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 3

Answer

1, 3 and 4

Answer

1, 2 and 4

Question 7

Covaxin is a/an

Accepted Answer

Inactivated whole virus vaccine

Answer

Live attenuated vaccine

Answer

Nucleic acid vaccine

Answer

Protein subunit vaccine

UPSC-CMS 2021 — Pharmacology