Immunosuppressive Drugs: Pharmacology, Mechanisms, and Clinical Applications

Question 1

Identify the non-immunosuppressive drug from the list:

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Azathioprine

Question 2

Describe the primary mechanism of action of cyclosporine:

Accepted Answer

Inhibits T-cell activation

Answer

Inhibits interleukin production

Answer

Promotes B-cell differentiation

Answer

Increases antibody production

Question 3

Which potential adverse effect is associated with tacrolimus use?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Hyperglycemia

Answer

Anemia

Question 4

Which immunosuppressive drug is commonly used to prevent organ transplant rejection?

Accepted Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

Leucovorin

Answer

Fluticasone

Question 5

Explain the role of mycophenolate mofetil in immunosuppression:

Accepted Answer

Inhibits purine synthesis

Answer

Blocks T-cell activation

Answer

Promotes antibody production

Answer

Enhances phagocytosis

Question 6

Which factor is irrelevant in determining an appropriate immunosuppressive regimen?

Accepted Answer

Hair color

Answer

Patient's age

Answer

Type of transplant

Answer

Risk of infection

Question 7

What is the primary mechanism of action of cyclosporine?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits T-cell activation

Answer

Depletes B-cells

Answer

Stimulates antibody production

Answer

Enhances phagocytosis

Question 8

Which immunosuppressive drugs are classified as calcineurin inhibitors?

Accepted Answer

Tacrolimus

Accepted Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Mycophenolate mofetil

Answer

Azathioprine

Question 9

Which of the following is a calcineurin inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Azathioprine

Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

Prednisone

Question 10

What is the primary mechanism by which cyclosporine suppresses the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Blocks T cell activation

Answer

Destroys B cells

Answer

Prevents antibody production

Question 11

Identify the shared mechanism of action between cyclosporine and tacrolimus.

Accepted Answer

A. Inhibition of calcineurin

Answer

B. Suppression of T-cell proliferation

Answer

C. Blockade of cytokine production

Answer

D. Induction of apoptosis

Question 12

Mycophenolate mofetil's immunosuppressive effect primarily results from:

Accepted Answer

A. Inhibition of purine synthesis

Answer

B. Blockade of T-cell activation

Answer

C. Stimulation of apoptosis

Answer

D. Induction of immune tolerance

Question 13

Which of the following adverse effects is commonly associated with azathioprine?

Accepted Answer

B. Myelosuppression

Answer

A. Nephrotoxicity

Answer

C. Hypertension

Answer

D. Hepatotoxicity

Question 14

When administering cyclosporine, which parameter is crucial to monitor?

Accepted Answer

A. Serum creatinine levels

Answer

B. White blood cell count

Answer

C. Potassium levels

Answer

D. Liver function tests

Question 15

Which of the following is NOT an immunosuppressive drug?

Accepted Answer

C. Aspirin

Answer

A. Prednisone

Answer

B. Cyclosporine

Answer

D. Tacrolimus

Question 16

Which of the following side effects is commonly associated with cyclosporine?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Question 17

Which immunosuppressive drug is an antimetabolite?

Accepted Answer

Mycophenolate mofetil

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Prednisone

Question 18

Which of the following is NOT a proposed mechanism of action of immunosuppressive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Stimulation of antibody production

Answer

Inhibition of T-cell proliferation

Answer

Induction of apoptosis in immune cells

Answer

Interruption of cytokine signaling

Question 19

What is the most common rejection episode in kidney transplantation?

Accepted Answer

Acute cellular rejection

Answer

Hyperacute rejection

Answer

Chronic rejection

Answer

Delayed rejection

Question 20

Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs is a monoclonal antibody?

Accepted Answer

Basiliximab

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Mycophenolate mofetil

Question 21

Tacrolimus exhibits a narrow therapeutic index, which means:

Accepted Answer

The difference between its therapeutic and toxic doses is minimal.

Answer

It can be used safely within a wide dose range.

Answer

Its effectiveness is limited to specific types of immunosuppression.

Answer

It is only effective at very high doses.

Question 22

In autoimmune diseases, how do immunosuppressive medications help manage the condition?

Accepted Answer

By suppressing the immune response, reducing inflammatory cytokine production, and slowing disease progression.

Answer

By increasing antibody production to target specific antigens.

Answer

By stimulating the production of regulatory T cells to suppress immune responses.

Question 23

How do immunosuppressive drugs primarily affect the immune system?

Accepted Answer

Inhibit immune cell activation and proliferation

Answer

Enhance antibody production

Answer

Increase the number of white blood cells

Question 24

The primary mechanism of action of immunosuppressive drugs is:

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting T-cell activation

Answer

Depleting B cells

Answer

Stimulating antibody production

Answer

Enhancing phagocytosis

Question 25

Basiliximab is a monoclonal antibody that specifically targets which receptor?

Accepted Answer

Interleukin-2

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Azathioprine

Question 26

Which of the following is NOT a potential adverse effect of immunosuppressive drugs?

Accepted Answer

Enhanced immune function

Answer

Infection

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hypertension

Question 27

The primary objective of immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation is:

Accepted Answer

Preventing rejection

Answer

Promoting graft survival

Answer

Reducing inflammation

Answer

Enhancing immune function

Question 28

The primary purpose of immunosuppressive drugs is to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent rejection in organ transplantation and treat autoimmune diseases

Answer

Enhance the immune response against pathogens

Answer

Suppress the immune system during chemotherapy

Answer

Promote tissue repair and regeneration

Question 29

A significant mechanism of action for immunosuppressive drugs is:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of T-cell proliferation and activation

Answer

Stimulation of antibody production by B-cells

Answer

Depletion of phagocytic cells in the immune system

Answer

Enhancement of the inflammatory response

Question 30

Tacrolimus, an immunosuppressive drug, falls under the category of:

Accepted Answer

Calcineurin inhibitors

Answer

mTOR inhibitors

Answer

Antimetabolites

Answer

Corticosteroids

Question 31

In organ transplantation, immunosuppressive drugs aim to:

Accepted Answer

Prevent rejection by suppressing the recipient's immune response to the transplanted organ

Answer

Enhance the production of new immune cells

Answer

Promote the growth and function of the transplanted organ

Answer

Prevent infection in the transplanted organ

Question 32

In autoimmune diseases, immunosuppressive drugs are used to:

Accepted Answer

Suppress the overactive immune response and reduce inflammation

Answer

Enhance the immune response to pathogens

Answer

Promote the production of antibodies

Answer

Increase the number of immune cells

Question 33

Which of the following is an example of an mTOR inhibitor?

Accepted Answer

Everolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Azathioprine

Question 34

Which of the following is not an immunosuppressive drug?

Accepted Answer

Ibuprofen

Answer

Azathioprine

Answer

Cyclosporine

Question 35

Which immunosuppressive drug specifically targets and inhibits the binding of interleukin-2 (IL-2) to its receptor?

Accepted Answer

Basiliximab

Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Mycophenolate mofetil

Question 36

Of the immunosuppressive drugs, which one is known to cause significant nephrotoxicity and requires careful monitoring of kidney function?

Accepted Answer

Cyclosporine

Answer

Hypotension

Answer

Bradycardia

Answer

Anorexia

Question 37

Mycophenolate mofetil and azathioprine, two commonly used immunosuppressive drugs, share which mechanism of action?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of purine synthesis

Answer

Blockade of T-cell activation

Answer

Interruption of IL-2 signaling

Question 38

Tacrolimus is primarily used for which medical purpose?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of organ transplant rejection

Answer

Management of severe allergic reactions

Answer

Prevention of graft-versus-host disease

Answer

Treatment of autoimmune diseases

Question 39

Sirolimus, an immunosuppressive drug, exerts its effects by:

Accepted Answer

Inhibiting the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway

Answer

Activating T-cell proliferation

Answer

Blocking the production of antibodies

Question 40

Which adverse effect is most commonly associated with the use of calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus?

Accepted Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Gastrointestinal upset

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Answer

Neurotoxicity

Question 41

In the context of immunosuppressive therapy, what is a primary contraindication to the use of these drugs?

Accepted Answer

Active infection

Answer

Advanced age

Answer

History of cancer

Answer

Obesity

Question 42

What is the overarching goal of administering immunosuppressive therapy in organ transplantation?

Accepted Answer

To prevent rejection of the transplanted organ

Answer

To cure the underlying disease

Answer

To reduce inflammation

Answer

To enhance the immune system

Question 43

What is the primary mechanism of action of cyclosporine?

Accepted Answer

Blocks the calcineurin pathway, preventing T-cell activation and cytokine production.

Answer

Inhibits the proliferation of B cells.

Answer

Increases the expression of MHC molecules on antigen-presenting cells.

Answer

Binds to the T-cell receptor, blocking antigen recognition.

Question 44

Which type of immunosuppressive drug is tacrolimus?

Accepted Answer

Calcineurin inhibitor

Answer

Antimetabolite

Answer

Monoclonal antibody

Answer

mTOR inhibitor

Question 45

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of mycophenolate mofetil?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal upset, including nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Answer

Nephrotoxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Question 46

Which of the following is a contraindication to the use of corticosteroids?

Accepted Answer

Active or untreated systemic infection.

Answer

Hypertension

Answer

Diabetes mellitus

Answer

Obesity

Question 47

What does the therapeutic index of an immunosuppressive drug represent?

Accepted Answer

The ratio of the effective dose to the toxic dose.

Answer

The maximum dose that can be safely administered.

Answer

The number of side effects associated with the drug.

Answer

The amount of time that the drug remains effective in the body.

Question 48

Which immunosuppressive drug requires therapeutic drug monitoring of trough levels?

Accepted Answer

Tacrolimus

Answer

Azathioprine

Answer

Prednisone

Answer

Mycophenolate mofetil

Question 49

What is an indication for the use of basiliximab?

Accepted Answer

Prevention of acute rejection in renal transplantation.

Answer

Management of Crohn's disease.

Answer

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis.

Question 50

What is an important nursing consideration for patients receiving immunosuppressive therapy?

Accepted Answer

Closely monitoring the patient for signs and symptoms of infection.

Answer

Encouraging the patient to increase their fluid intake.

Answer

Administering the drugs on an empty stomach.

Answer

Advising the patient to avoid exposure to sunlight.