Vinblastine sulphate MCQs With Answer

Vinblastine sulphate MCQs With Answer is a concise, exam-focused resource for B. Pharm students studying antineoplastic agents. It covers vinblastine’s classification as a vinca alkaloid, mechanism of action—binding tubulin to prevent microtubule polymerization and cause metaphase arrest—plus pharmacokinetics, clinical indications, dosing, administration precautions, adverse effects (notably myelosuppression and neuropathy), extravasation risk, and important drug interactions. Questions explore molecular pharmacology, therapeutic uses such as Hodgkin lymphoma and testicular cancer, toxicity recognition and management, and safe administration practices. Answers provide brief rationales to strengthen understanding and clinical application. This focused set is ideal for revision and viva preparation. Now let’s test your knowledge with 30 MCQs on this topic.

Q1. Vinblastine sulphate belongs to which class of chemotherapeutic agents?

• Alkylating agents
• Vinca alkaloids
• Antimetabolites
• Topoisomerase inhibitors

Correct Answer: Vinca alkaloids

Q2. What is the primary mechanism of action of vinblastine sulphate?

• Intercalation into DNA causing strand breaks
• Alkylation of guanine bases in DNA
• Binding to tubulin and inhibiting microtubule polymerization
• Inhibition of topoisomerase II

Correct Answer: Binding to tubulin and inhibiting microtubule polymerization

Q3. Vinblastine is most active against cells in which phase of the cell cycle?

• G0 phase
• S phase
• M phase (mitosis)
• G1 phase

Correct Answer: M phase (mitosis)

Q4. Which dose-limiting toxicity is most commonly associated with vinblastine?

• Severe peripheral neuropathy
• Cardiotoxicity
• Myelosuppression, especially neutropenia
• Ototoxicity

Correct Answer: Myelosuppression, especially neutropenia

Q5. Compared to vincristine, vinblastine more commonly causes which adverse effect?

• Severe neurotoxicity
• Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression)
• Severe constipation
• Cardiac arrhythmia

Correct Answer: Myelosuppression (bone marrow suppression)

Q6. Which of the following is a primary clinical indication for vinblastine?

• Hodgkin lymphoma
• Chronic myeloid leukemia (CML)
• Acute lymphoblastic leukemia maintenance only
• Non-small cell lung cancer as monotherapy

Correct Answer: Hodgkin lymphoma

Q7. What is a major administration precaution for vinblastine sulphate?

• Can be given orally with food
• Safe for intrathecal administration
• Administer only by intravenous infusion; avoid extravasation
• Must be refrigerated at all times

Correct Answer: Administer only by intravenous infusion; avoid extravasation

Q8. Which treatment is recommended for extravasation of vinblastine?

• Immediate cold compress and systemic corticosteroids
• Instill hyaluronidase and apply warm compresses locally
• Flush with high-volume normal saline and apply ice
• Immediate surgical excision without pharmacologic treatment

Correct Answer: Instill hyaluronidase and apply warm compresses locally

Q9. Vinblastine is primarily metabolized by which hepatic enzyme system?

• CYP1A2
• CYP2D6
• CYP3A4
• Glucuronosyltransferase only

Correct Answer: CYP3A4

Q10. Co-administration of vinblastine with which drug class may increase its toxicity due to CYP3A4 inhibition?

• Beta-lactam antibiotics
• Azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole)
• Thiazide diuretics
• Loop diuretics

Correct Answer: Azole antifungals (e.g., ketoconazole)

Q11. Which mechanism commonly confers resistance to vinblastine in tumor cells?

• Upregulation of glutathione S-transferase
• Increased expression of P-glycoprotein (MDR1 efflux pump)
• Mutations in topoisomerase I
• Enhanced DNA repair of crosslinks

Correct Answer: Increased expression of P-glycoprotein (MDR1 efflux pump)

Q12. Which of the following is an important monitoring parameter during vinblastine therapy?

• Serum creatine kinase weekly
• Complete blood count with differential
• Liver function tests only after the first year
• 24-hour urine catecholamines

Correct Answer: Complete blood count with differential

Q13. Vinblastine should not be administered by which route due to high risk of fatality?

• Intravenous
• Subcutaneous
• Intramuscular
• Intrathecal (into the spinal canal)

Correct Answer: Intrathecal (into the spinal canal)

Q14. Which clinical regimen for Hodgkin lymphoma includes vinblastine?

• CHOP
• ABVD
• FOLFOX
• BEACOPP without vinblastine

Correct Answer: ABVD

Q15. The origin of vinblastine is from which plant?

• Taxus brevifolia (Pacific yew)
• Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle)
• Camptotheca acuminata (happy tree)
• Podophyllum peltatum (Mayapple)

Correct Answer: Catharanthus roseus (Madagascar periwinkle)

Q16. Which adverse effect is commonly observed and reversible with vinblastine therapy?

• Irreversible cardiomyopathy
• Alopecia
• Permanent blindness
• Permanent severe neuropathy in all patients

Correct Answer: Alopecia

Q17. In patients with significant hepatic impairment, how should vinblastine dosing be adjusted?

• No adjustment is needed
• Increase dose due to decreased clearance
• Reduce dose or extend dosing interval
• Switch to oral formulation

Correct Answer: Reduce dose or extend dosing interval

Q18. Which supportive treatment is commonly used to manage severe neutropenia caused by vinblastine?

• Erythropoietin
• G-CSF (filgrastim)
• Platelet transfusion prophylactically
• High-dose corticosteroids

Correct Answer: G-CSF (filgrastim)

Q19. Which statement about vinblastine’s neurotoxicity is most accurate?

• Vinblastine has no neurotoxic potential
• Vinblastine causes more neurotoxicity than vincristine
• Vinblastine can cause peripheral neuropathy but less frequently than vincristine
• Neurotoxicity is only seen when given orally

Correct Answer: Vinblastine can cause peripheral neuropathy but less frequently than vincristine

Q20. Which patient factor is a contraindication or requires extreme caution before giving vinblastine?

• Pre-existing severe bone marrow suppression
• Mild seasonal allergy
• Controlled hypertension
• History of peptic ulcer disease

Correct Answer: Pre-existing severe bone marrow suppression

Q21. What is the role of vinblastine in combination chemotherapy for testicular cancer?

• It is never used in testicular cancer
• Used as a radiosensitizer only
• Part of multiagent regimens for germ cell tumors
• Used only for supportive care

Correct Answer: Part of multiagent regimens for germ cell tumors

Q22. Which laboratory abnormality is most likely to indicate vinblastine toxicity?

• Marked hyperkalemia
• Severe neutropenia on CBC
• Elevated amylase only
• Isolated hypocalcemia

Correct Answer: Severe neutropenia on CBC

Q23. For venous extravasation of vinblastine, which immediate action should be avoided?

• Stop the infusion immediately
• Attempt to aspirate any residual drug from the catheter
• Apply cold compresses if indicated
• Do vigorous flushing of the area with high-pressure saline

Correct Answer: Do vigorous flushing of the area with high-pressure saline

Q24. Vinblastine’s binding site on tubulin is often referred to as:

• Taxane site
• Vinca site
• Colchicine site
• Actin-binding site

Correct Answer: Vinca site

Q25. Which contraceptive advice is appropriate for patients receiving vinblastine?

• No contraception needed; non-teratogenic
• Avoid contraception; drug reduces fertility permanently
• Use effective contraception during treatment and for a period after therapy due to teratogenic risk
• Only barrier methods are recommended due to drug interactions

Correct Answer: Use effective contraception during treatment and for a period after therapy due to teratogenic risk

Q26. A clinician suspects vinblastine overdose. Which symptom is most likely to appear early?

• Severe cardiac arrhythmia immediately
• Profound bone marrow suppression leading to agranulocytosis
• Delayed hair growth only after months
• Renal failure within hours

Correct Answer: Profound bone marrow suppression leading to agranulocytosis

Q27. Which best describes vinblastine’s formulation used clinically?

• Oral tablet
• Intravenous injection or infusion solution
• Topical cream
• Inhalational aerosol

Correct Answer: Intravenous injection or infusion solution

Q28. Which supportive measure can reduce the risk of severe febrile neutropenia during vinblastine-containing regimens?

• Prophylactic antibiotics only
• Administering colony-stimulating factors (e.g., G-CSF) when indicated
• No supportive care is effective
• High-dose vitamin supplements

Correct Answer: Administering colony-stimulating factors (e.g., G-CSF) when indicated

Q29. Which of the following interactions could increase vinblastine plasma concentration?

• Co-administration with rifampicin
• Co-administration with phenytoin
• Co-administration with ketoconazole
• Co-administration with carbamazepine

Correct Answer: Co-administration with ketoconazole

Q30. Which is the most important patient counseling point before a vinblastine infusion?

• It may cause mild cough only
• Ensure reliable contraception, report fever, and watch for signs of infection due to neutropenia
• No need to report mouth sores
• You can self-administer at home orally

Correct Answer: Ensure reliable contraception, report fever, and watch for signs of infection due to neutropenia

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