Eyes and Ears Drugs Practice Exam Answers
- What is the primary purpose of ophthalmic beta-blockers like timolol?
- A) Treat dry eyes
B) Reduce intraocular pressure
C) Increase tear production
D) Relieve redness
- Which condition is contraindicated for the use of timolol eye drops?
- A) Glaucoma
B) Asthma
C) Diabetic retinopathy
D) Conjunctivitis
- What is the mechanism of action of prostaglandin analogs like latanoprost?
- A) Increases aqueous humor drainage
B) Decreases aqueous humor production
C) Enhances corneal hydration
D) Blocks bacterial growth
- Which eye drop is commonly used to dilate pupils during eye exams?
- A) Pilocarpine
B) Atropine
C) Timolol
D) Ciprofloxacin
- What is the main side effect of latanoprost eye drops?
- A) Increased tear production
B) Iris pigmentation changes
C) Decreased vision
D) Increased intraocular pressure
- What is the purpose of otic drops containing ciprofloxacin?
- A) Treat fungal infections
B) Relieve earwax impaction
C) Treat bacterial infections
D) Reduce hearing loss
- Why are corticosteroid ear drops combined with antibiotics in some cases?
- A) To prevent fungal infections
B) To enhance bacterial eradication
C) To reduce inflammation
D) To improve drug absorption
Answer: C) To reduce inflammation
Explanation: Corticosteroids reduce swelling, pain, and inflammation associated with ear infections.
- Which drug is contraindicated in patients with a perforated eardrum?
- A) Neomycin
B) Ofloxacin
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Acetic acid
- What is the mechanism of action of carbamide peroxide ear drops?
- A) Softens cerumen for easier removal
B) Treats bacterial infections
C) Relieves ear pain
D) Reduces inflammation
- What is the most common side effect of prolonged use of otic antibiotics?
- A) Tinnitus
B) Fungal overgrowth
C) Hearing loss
D) Eardrum perforation
- What is the indication for using artificial tears like carboxymethylcellulose?
- A) Glaucoma
B) Dry eye syndrome
C) Corneal ulcers
D) Bacterial conjunctivitis
Answer: B) Dry eye syndrome
Explanation: Artificial tears lubricate the eyes, relieving symptoms of dryness and irritation.
- Which class of drugs is first-line therapy for open-angle glaucoma?
- A) Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors
B) Beta-blockers
C) Prostaglandin analogs
D) Alpha agonists
- A patient using atropine eye drops reports difficulty seeing objects up close. What is the most likely cause?
- A) Pupil constriction
B) Loss of accommodation
C) Increased intraocular pressure
D) Corneal abrasion
- Which antibiotic is commonly used for bacterial conjunctivitis?
- A) Amoxicillin
B) Azithromycin
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Erythromycin
- What is the primary side effect of long-term corticosteroid eye drop use?
- A) Retinal detachment
B) Cataracts and glaucoma
C) Iris discoloration
D) Eye dryness
- What is the mechanism of action of pilocarpine in glaucoma management?
- A) Increases trabecular outflow
B) Decreases aqueous humor production
C) Blocks ciliary body activity
D) Reduces vitreous fluid production
- What are mast cell stabilizers like cromolyn used for in ophthalmology?
- A) Glaucoma
B) Allergic conjunctivitis
C) Corneal abrasions
D) Dry eyes
- Which preservative in eye drops can cause irritation with prolonged use?
- A) Benzalkonium chloride
B) Polyvinyl alcohol
C) Sodium chloride
D) Propylene glycol
- What is the primary concern with the use of topical anesthetic eye drops like proparacaine?
- A) Risk of addiction
B) Corneal damage with overuse
C) Increased intraocular pressure
D) Blurred vision
Answer: B) Corneal damage with overuse
Explanation: Topical anesthetics can delay healing and cause corneal ulcers if misused.
- Which drug is used for severe eye infections caused by herpes simplex virus?
- A) Acyclovir
B) Erythromycin
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Ketorolac
Answer: A) Acyclovir
Explanation: Acyclovir, an antiviral agent, treats herpes simplex keratitis effectively.
- What is the purpose of acetic acid ear drops?
- A) Treat bacterial infections
B) Acidify the ear canal to prevent fungal growth
C) Remove earwax
D) Relieve ear pain
Answer: B) Acidify the ear canal to prevent fungal growth
Explanation: Acetic acid maintains an acidic environment, inhibiting fungal and bacterial growth.
- Which symptom is a common indication for using antipyrine-benzocaine otic solution?
- A) Hearing loss
B) Ear pain due to otitis media
C) Tinnitus
D) Dizziness
- What precaution should be taken when using ear drops for a child with otitis externa?
- A) Warm the drops to body temperature
B) Shake the bottle vigorously
C) Use a cotton swab to apply drops
D) Lie on the stomach during administration
- What is the primary indication for fluoroquinolone otic drops?
- A) Fungal infections
B) Bacterial otitis externa
C) Viral infections
D) Earwax removal
Answer: B) Bacterial otitis externa
Explanation: Fluoroquinolones target bacterial infections effectively, especially in the external ear.
- Which drug is used for fungal ear infections?
- A) Clotrimazole
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Dexamethasone
D) Acetic acid
Answer: A) Clotrimazole
Explanation: Clotrimazole is an antifungal used to treat otomycosis (fungal ear infections).
- What is the primary use of brimonidine in eye treatment?
- A) Reduces corneal inflammation
B) Treats conjunctivitis
C) Lowers intraocular pressure
D) Increases tear production
Answer: C) Lowers intraocular pressure
Explanation: Brimonidine is an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist used to decrease aqueous humor production, commonly prescribed for glaucoma.
- Which of the following is a contraindication for the use of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors like acetazolamide?
- A) Renal impairment
B) Glaucoma
C) Dry eye syndrome
D) Allergic conjunctivitis
Answer: A) Renal impairment
Explanation: Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors are excreted by the kidneys, and their use is contraindicated in renal dysfunction.
- Which eye condition is treated with the immunomodulator cyclosporine (Restasis)?
- A) Glaucoma
B) Dry eye syndrome
C) Uveitis
D) Bacterial conjunctivitis
Answer: B) Dry eye syndrome
Explanation: Cyclosporine reduces inflammation in the tear-producing glands, improving symptoms of chronic dry eye.
- What is the major risk of using aminoglycoside eye drops like gentamicin?
- A) Corneal toxicity
B) Increased intraocular pressure
C) Iris discoloration
D) Myopia
Answer: A) Corneal toxicity
Explanation: Prolonged use of aminoglycosides can lead to corneal toxicity and epithelial damage.
- Which medication is most appropriate for treating allergic conjunctivitis?
- A) Latanoprost
B) Olopatadine
C) Ciprofloxacin
D) Atropine
Answer: B) Olopatadine
Explanation: Olopatadine is an antihistamine and mast cell stabilizer effective for allergic eye conditions.
- What is the role of phenylephrine in ophthalmology?
- A) Antibacterial agent
B) Vasoconstrictor to reduce redness
C) Lubricant for dry eyes
D) Mydriatic for pupil dilation
Answer: D) Mydriatic for pupil dilation
Explanation: Phenylephrine is an adrenergic agonist used to dilate pupils during eye examinations.
- What is a common side effect of tropicamide eye drops?
- A) Prolonged blurred vision
B) Eye infection
C) Increased tear production
D) Red eye
Answer: A) Prolonged blurred vision
Explanation: Tropicamide causes temporary loss of accommodation, leading to blurred vision.
- What is the mechanism of action of dorzolamide in treating glaucoma?
- A) Inhibits aqueous humor production
B) Enhances aqueous humor drainage
C) Blocks histamine receptors
D) Lubricates the cornea
Answer: A) Inhibits aqueous humor production
Explanation: Dorzolamide, a carbonic anhydrase inhibitor, reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing aqueous humor formation.
- Which class of drugs can exacerbate open-angle glaucoma?
- A) Prostaglandin analogs
B) Anticholinergics
C) Beta-blockers
D) Antibiotics
Answer: B) Anticholinergics
Explanation: Anticholinergics can increase intraocular pressure and are contraindicated in patients with glaucoma.
- What is the use of fluorescein eye drops?
- A) Treat infections
B) Diagnose corneal abrasions
C) Reduce inflammation
D) Decrease intraocular pressure
Answer: B) Diagnose corneal abrasions
Explanation: Fluorescein stains damaged areas of the cornea, helping to identify abrasions or ulcers.
- Which medication is used to treat otomycosis (fungal infection of the ear)?
- A) Ketoconazole
B) Ciprofloxacin
C) Gentamicin
D) Lidocaine
Answer: A) Ketoconazole
Explanation: Ketoconazole, an antifungal, is effective against fungal ear infections.
- How does polymyxin B work in otic infections?
- A) Inhibits bacterial protein synthesis
B) Disrupts bacterial cell membranes
C) Blocks DNA replication
D) Reduces inflammation
Answer: B) Disrupts bacterial cell membranes
Explanation: Polymyxin B damages bacterial cell membranes, making it effective against gram-negative bacteria.
- What is the purpose of hydrocortisone in combination ear drops?
- A) Treat bacterial infections
B) Relieve pain
C) Reduce swelling and inflammation
D) Remove earwax
Answer: C) Reduce swelling and inflammation
Explanation: Hydrocortisone is a corticosteroid that reduces inflammation in otic conditions.
- Why are otic preparations often avoided in patients with a ruptured eardrum?
- A) Risk of hearing loss
B) Systemic absorption
C) Ototoxicity risk
D) All of the above
Answer: D) All of the above
Explanation: Otic medications may cause complications like ototoxicity, hearing loss, or systemic absorption when the eardrum is ruptured.
- Which ear condition is commonly treated with chloramphenicol?
- A) Fungal infections
B) Bacterial otitis externa
C) Cerumen impaction
D) Eustachian tube dysfunction
Answer: B) Bacterial otitis externa
Explanation: Chloramphenicol is a broad-spectrum antibiotic used in bacterial ear infections.
- What is the mechanism of action of sodium bicarbonate ear drops?
- A) Neutralizes infection
B) Softens earwax
C) Reduces inflammation
D) Enhances drainage
Answer: B) Softens earwax
Explanation: Sodium bicarbonate loosens hardened earwax, facilitating its removal.
- Which ear drop is used to manage pain in acute otitis media?
- A) Ciprofloxacin
B) Antipyrine-benzocaine
C) Neomycin
D) Acetic acid
Answer: B) Antipyrine-benzocaine
Explanation: This combination provides pain relief by anesthetizing the ear canal.
- What is the role of boric acid in ear preparations?
- A) Treats fungal infections
B) Antibacterial agent
C) Both A and B
D) Reduces earwax buildup
Answer: C) Both A and B
Explanation: Boric acid is used for its antifungal and antibacterial properties in otic preparations.
- How does acetic acid ear drops prevent infections?
- A) Lowers pH of the ear canal
B) Destroys funagal spores
C) Improves fluid drainage
D) All of the above
- Which condition is treated with ototopical steroid-antibiotic combinations?
- A) Cerumen impaction
B) Chronic otitis externa
C) Tinnitus
D) Sensorineural hearing loss