UPSC-CMS 2022 - Pharmacology PYQs Practice Questions

Q: Which of the following drugs should be avoided in labouring women with bronchial asthma?

Prostaglandin F2α. ***Prostaglandin F2α*** - **Prostaglandin F2α** (e.g., **carboprost**) is a potent **bronchoconstrictor** and can exacerbate asthma, leading to severe respiratory distress in susceptible individuals. - Its use for **uterine atony** in labouring women with a history of asthma is generally contraindicated due to the risk of inducing an **asthma attack**. *Ergometrine* - **Ergometrine** is an **ergot alkaloid** used to prevent or treat **postpartum hemorrhage** by causing sustained uterine contractions. - While it can cause some adverse effects like nausea or hypertension, it is **not generally contraindicated** in asthma and does not directly cause bronchoconstriction. *Prostaglandin E1* - **Prostaglandin E1** (e.g., **misoprostol**) is used for cervical ripening and induction of labour, or for preventing postpartum hemorrhage. - It generally has **bronchodilating** properties and is therefore considered safe for use in patients with asthma. *Opioid analgesics* - **Opioid analgesics** (e.g., **pethidine**, **morphine**) are commonly used for pain relief during labour. - While they can cause respiratory depression at high doses, they do **not directly induce bronchoconstriction** and are generally safe for use in asthmatic patients when carefully monitored. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: All of the following are correct regarding drospirenone EXCEPT:

It is safe in renal failure patients.. ***4. It is safe in renal failure patients*** - **Drospirenone** has **antimineralocorticoid activity**, which can lead to **hyperkalemia**, especially in patients with **renal impairment**. - Therefore, it is **contraindicated** and not safe in patients with **renal failure** due to the increased risk of potentially life-threatening **hyperkalemia**. *3. It has antimineralocorticoid action* - Drospirenone is a unique progestin derived from **spironolactone**, giving it a distinct **antimineralocorticoid effect**. - This effect helps to reduce symptoms like **bloating** and **fluid retention**, which are often associated with other hormonal contraceptives. *2. It has antiandrogenic property* - Drospirenone possesses significant **antiandrogenic properties**, which are beneficial in treating conditions like **acne** and **hirsutism**. - This action helps to counteract the androgenic side effects some other progestins might exhibit, making it a favorable choice for women who experience these issues. *1. It is a fourth generation progestin* - Drospirenone is classified as a **fourth-generation progestin**, developed to offer an improved side effect profile compared to older progestins. - These newer progestins often have more selective receptor binding and distinct pharmacological properties like **antiandrogenic** and **antimineralocorticoid** effects. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: For the treatment of kala-azar, the daily dose of miltefosine in a 3-year-old child who weighs 15 kg is

40 mg. ***40 mg*** - Miltefosine dosage for children weighing 12 to 29 kg (including a 15 kg child) is typically **2.5 mg/kg body weight per day orally**. - For a 15 kg child, this translates to 2.5 mg/kg * 15 kg = **37.5 mg**, which is rounded to **40 mg** for practical dosing since miltefosine capsules come in 10 mg or 50 mg sizes. *20 mg* - This dose is lower than the recommended **2.5 mg/kg/day** for a 15 kg child, which would be 37.5 mg. - An underdose of miltefosine could lead to **treatment failure** and the development of drug resistance. *10 mg* - This dose is significantly lower than the recommended therapeutic dose for a 15 kg child, which requires approximately **37.5 mg daily**. - Such a low dose would be **ineffective** in treating kala-azar, risking worsening disease. *30 mg* - While closer than 10 mg or 20 mg, 30 mg is still below the calculated **37.5 mg/day** for a 15 kg child. - An insufficient dose may compromise the efficacy of treatment and lead to **suboptimal parasitic clearance**. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: What is the shelf life of Dukoral (wc-rBS) oral vaccine used for cholera prevention, when stored at a temperature of 2 °C to 8 °C?

2 years. ***2 years***- Dukoral (wc-rBS) oral vaccine, when stored correctly at **2 °C to 8 °C**, maintains its efficacy and stability for **2 years**. - This is the manufacturer-specified shelf life that ensures the vaccine remains potent and safe for use. - The vaccine contains inactivated whole-cell V. cholerae and recombinant cholera toxin B subunit, with a validated 2-year stability period. *3 years*- A 3-year shelf life is an **overestimation** for Dukoral under standard refrigerated storage conditions. - Beyond the validated 2-year period, the vaccine's potency cannot be guaranteed. - This could lead to administration of potentially ineffective vaccine. *6 months*- A 6-month shelf life is significantly **underestimated** for Dukoral, indicating a lack of understanding of vaccine stability. - Such a short duration would lead to premature discarding of usable vaccine and increased waste. - Most modern refrigerated vaccines have longer shelf lives than this. *5 years*- A 5-year shelf life is a significant **overestimation** for Dukoral (wc-rBS). - This duration exceeds the manufacturer's validated stability data for this oral vaccine. - Using vaccine beyond its validated shelf life poses risks of reduced immunogenicity. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Q: Which of the following is a rare vaccine reaction known to occur with BCG vaccine in immunocompetent individuals?

Osteitis. ***Osteitis*** - **Osteitis** (inflammation of bone) is a **rare complication** of the BCG vaccine, occurring in **immunocompetent individuals**, particularly infants. - Incidence: approximately **1-30 cases per million doses**. - It results from the **dissemination of live attenuated *Mycobacterium bovis*** (the strain used in BCG) to bone tissue. - Typically presents months after vaccination with localized bone pain and swelling. *Guillain-Barré syndrome* - **Guillain-Barré syndrome** is a rare neurological disorder characterized by rapid-onset muscle weakness. - While it can be triggered by various infections and, rarely, by some vaccines (e.g., influenza vaccine), it is **not specifically associated with the BCG vaccine**. *Suppurative lymphadenitis* - **Suppurative lymphadenitis** (inflammation and pus formation in lymph nodes) is a **relatively common adverse reaction** to the BCG vaccine, not a rare one. - Incidence: **0.01-4.3%** of vaccinees. - It typically occurs in regional lymph nodes draining the injection site and usually resolves with conservative management or needle aspiration. *Disseminated infection* - **Disseminated BCG infection** is an **extremely rare** complication (0.06-1.56 per million doses). - It occurs **primarily in immunocompromised individuals** (e.g., severe combined immunodeficiency, HIV). - This is a contraindication-related complication rather than a typical vaccine reaction in the general population. - The question specifies immunocompetent individuals, making **osteitis** the most appropriate answer as it represents the classic rare complication in normal hosts. [Practice more Pharmacology PYQs on OnCourse]

Question 1

Which of the following drugs should be avoided in labouring women with bronchial asthma?

Accepted Answer

Prostaglandin F2α

Answer

Ergometrine

Answer

Prostaglandin E1

Answer

Opioid analgesics

Question 2

All of the following are correct regarding drospirenone EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

It is safe in renal failure patients.

Answer

It has antimineralocorticoid action.

Answer

It is a fourth generation progestin.

Answer

It has antiandrogenic property.

Question 3

For the treatment of kala-azar, the daily dose of miltefosine in a 3-year-old child who weighs 15 kg is

Accepted Answer

40 mg

Answer

20 mg

Answer

10 mg

Answer

30 mg

Question 4

What is the shelf life of Dukoral (wc-rBS) oral vaccine used for cholera prevention, when stored at a temperature of 2 °C to 8 °C?

Accepted Answer

2 years

Answer

3 years

Answer

6 months

Answer

5 years

Question 5

Which of the following is a rare vaccine reaction known to occur with BCG vaccine in immunocompetent individuals?

Accepted Answer

Osteitis

Answer

Guillain-Barre syndrome

Answer

Suppurative lymphadenitis

Answer

Disseminated infection

Question 6

Which one of the following vaccines is known to interfere with the Yellow Fever vaccine if administered within 3 weeks of each other?

Accepted Answer

Measles vaccine

Answer

Tetanus toxoid

Answer

Cholera vaccine

Answer

Typhoid vaccine

UPSC-CMS 2022 — Pharmacology