Female reproduction and pregnancy are areas requiring specialized pharmacotherapeutic knowledge to ensure the health of both mother and child. Pharmacists, guided by the principles taught in the Patient Care 5 “Women’s Health” module, play a crucial role in counseling on essential supplements like folic acid, managing common conditions during pregnancy, and identifying potentially teratogenic medications. This quiz will test your understanding of the physiology of the menstrual cycle and the principles of safe and effective medication management during pregnancy.
1. Which hormone is responsible for the “surge” that directly triggers ovulation?
- a. Follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH)
- b. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- c. Progesterone
- d. Estrogen
Answer: b. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
2. The follicular phase of the menstrual cycle is dominated by which hormone?
- a. Progesterone
- b. Estrogen
- c. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- d. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
Answer: b. Estrogen
3. After ovulation, the ruptured follicle develops into the corpus luteum, which primarily secretes:
- a. FSH
- b. Estrogen
- c. Progesterone
- d. GnRH
Answer: c. Progesterone
4. To prevent neural tube defects, women of childbearing potential should be counseled to take what supplement daily?
- a. Iron
- b. Calcium
- c. Vitamin D
- d. Folic acid
Answer: d. Folic acid
5. Which of the following is a known teratogen and is absolutely contraindicated in pregnancy?
- a. Acetaminophen
- b. Isotretinoin
- c. Penicillin
- d. Metformin
Answer: b. Isotretinoin
6. The “Female Reproduction and Pregnancy” topic is a specific lecture in which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5104 Sterile Compounding
- c. PHA5703 Pharmacy Law and Ethics
- d. PHA5878C Patient Care 3
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
7. What is the first-line pharmacologic recommendation for nausea and vomiting of pregnancy (“morning sickness”)?
- a. Ondansetron
- b. Metoclopramide
- c. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) with or without doxylamine
- d. Promethazine
Answer: c. Pyridoxine (Vitamin B6) with or without doxylamine
8. Which of the following antihypertensive medication classes is contraindicated throughout pregnancy due to its teratogenic effects?
- a. Beta-blockers (e.g., labetalol)
- b. ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)
- c. Calcium channel blockers (e.g., nifedipine)
- d. Centrally acting agents (e.g., methyldopa)
Answer: b. ACE Inhibitors (e.g., lisinopril)
9. What physiological change in pregnancy significantly increases the volume of distribution (Vd) for hydrophilic drugs?
- a. Decreased body fat
- b. Increased plasma volume
- c. Decreased cardiac output
- d. Increased protein binding
Answer: b. Increased plasma volume
10. A pregnant patient complains of heartburn. What is the most appropriate initial recommendation?
- a. Start a high-dose PPI.
- b. Recommend lifestyle modifications and a calcium-containing antacid like Tums.
- c. Prescribe misoprostol.
- d. Start an H2-receptor antagonist.
Answer: b. Recommend lifestyle modifications and a calcium-containing antacid like Tums.
11. The “Introduction to Women’s Health” is a lecture within the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
12. The old FDA pregnancy categories used a letter system (A, B, C, D, X). Which category indicated that studies in animals or humans have demonstrated fetal abnormalities and the risks clearly outweigh any potential benefits?
- a. Category A
- b. Category C
- c. Category D
- d. Category X
Answer: d. Category X
13. The new Pregnancy and Lactation Labeling Rule (PLLR) replaced the letter categories with:
- a. A simple “safe” or “unsafe” rating.
- a. A narrative summary of risks, clinical considerations, and available data.
- c. A numerical scoring system.
- d. A color-coded warning system.
Answer: b. A narrative summary of risks, clinical considerations, and available data.
14. A key role of a pharmacist is to:
- a. Diagnose pregnancy.
- b. Counsel pregnant patients on the safe use of medications.
- c. Prescribe prenatal vitamins.
- d. Perform ultrasounds.
Answer: b. Counsel pregnant patients on the safe use of medications.
15. Educating a patient on a health condition is a core objective for student pharmacists.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
16. Which of the following is a safe and appropriate choice for treating constipation during pregnancy after lifestyle measures fail?
- a. Mineral oil
- b. Castor oil
- c. A bulk-forming laxative like psyllium.
- d. A saline laxative like magnesium citrate.
Answer: c. A bulk-forming laxative like psyllium.
17. The management of women’s health is a topic within the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
18. What happens to the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) during pregnancy?
- a. It decreases by about 50%.
- b. It increases by up to 50%.
- c. It remains unchanged.
- d. It becomes immeasurable.
Answer: b. It increases by up to 50%.
19. The increased GFR during pregnancy can lead to what pharmacokinetic effect for renally cleared drugs?
- a. Increased drug accumulation.
- b. Increased drug clearance, potentially requiring higher doses.
- c. No change in drug clearance.
- d. Decreased volume of distribution.
Answer: b. Increased drug clearance, potentially requiring higher doses.
20. An active learning session on women’s health is part of the Patient Care 5 course.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
21. A pregnant patient is diagnosed with a UTI. Which antibiotic should be avoided due to its potential to cause cartilage damage in the fetus?
- a. Amoxicillin
- b. Cephalexin
- c. Nitrofurantoin
- d. Ciprofloxacin
Answer: d. Ciprofloxacin
22. Which of the following is NOT a phase of the menstrual cycle?
- a. Follicular phase
- b. Ovulation
- c. Luteal phase
- d. Gestational phase
Answer: d. Gestational phase
23. The “Self Care – STD Prevention” lecture is part of the women’s health module.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
24. An active learning session on women’s health is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
25. A key counseling point for prenatal vitamins is that they should contain:
- a. Iron, folic acid, and calcium.
- b. High doses of Vitamin A.
- c. Herbal stimulants for energy.
- d. Only water-soluble vitamins.
Answer: a. Iron, folic acid, and calcium.
26. Warfarin is contraindicated in pregnancy because it is a known teratogen. What is the preferred anticoagulant during pregnancy?
- a. Apixaban
- b. Dabigatran
- c. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)
- d. Rivaroxaban
Answer: c. Low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH)
27. Preeclampsia is a serious pregnancy complication characterized by:
- a. Hypoglycemia and weight loss.
- b. New-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation.
- c. A skin rash and joint pain.
- d. Low blood pressure and anemia.
Answer: b. New-onset hypertension and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation.
28. An active learning session on women’s health is part of which course module?
- a. Module 3: Women’s Health
- b. Module 1: Diabetes Mellitus
- c. Module 4: Medication Safety
- d. Module 8: Men’s Health
Answer: a. Module 3: Women’s Health
29. The management of contraception is a lecture within the Women’s Health module.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
30. The “Management of Women’s Health” is a lecture within the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
31. The hormone detected in home pregnancy tests is:
- a. Progesterone
- b. Luteinizing hormone (LH)
- c. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
- d. Estrogen
Answer: c. Human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG)
32. The most critical period of organogenesis, when the fetus is most susceptible to teratogens, is:
- a. The first 2 weeks of gestation.
- b. Weeks 3 through 8 of gestation.
- c. The second trimester.
- d. The third trimester.
Answer: b. Weeks 3 through 8 of gestation.
33. Which class of antidepressants is generally considered first-line for use in pregnancy if pharmacotherapy is needed?
- a. MAOIs
- b. Tricyclic antidepressants
- c. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
- d. Atypical antipsychotics
Answer: c. Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
34. A pregnant woman with gestational diabetes should be managed first with:
- a. Metformin
- b. Glyburide
- c. Diet and exercise.
- d. A GLP-1 receptor agonist.
Answer: c. Diet and exercise.
35. A key role for the pharmacist is identifying potentially teratogenic medications on a patient’s profile when they are planning a pregnancy.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
36. A woman taking an oral contraceptive who is prescribed an enzyme-inducing anticonvulsant like carbamazepine should be counseled about:
- a. An increased risk of VTE.
- b. A potential for contraceptive failure.
- c. An increased risk of nausea.
- d. No interaction.
Answer: b. A potential for contraceptive failure.
37. Which of the following is NOT a normal physiological change during pregnancy?
- a. Increased cardiac output
- b. Increased plasma volume
- c. Decreased GFR
- d. Increased hepatic metabolism of some drugs
Answer: c. Decreased GFR
38. The lecture “Female Reproduction and Pregnancy” is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
39. A pregnant patient is diagnosed with a deep vein thrombosis (DVT). Which statement is true?
- a. She should be treated with warfarin.
- b. She is not at an increased risk for DVT.
- c. She should be treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).
- d. She should be treated with a DOAC like apixaban.
Answer: c. She should be treated with low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH).
40. An active learning session covering women’s health is part of which course?
- a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
- b. PHA5163L Professional Skills Lab 3
- c. PHA5781 Patient Care I
- d. PHA5782C Patient Care 2
Answer: a. PHA5787C Patient Care 5
41. The placenta is a perfect barrier that protects the fetus from all drugs.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: b. False
42. Which of the following is a reliable source of information on medication safety in pregnancy and lactation?
- a. A general internet search.
- b. A social media group for mothers.
- c. A peer-reviewed resource like Briggs’ Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.
- d. The pharmacist’s personal experience.
Answer: c. A peer-reviewed resource like Briggs’ Drugs in Pregnancy and Lactation.
43. A pregnant patient should be advised to avoid which pain medication during the third trimester due to risk of premature closure of the ductus arteriosus?
- a. Acetaminophen
- b. NSAIDs like ibuprofen
- c. Opioids like codeine
- d. Tramadol
Answer: b. NSAIDs like ibuprofen
44. What is the role of progesterone in the menstrual cycle and pregnancy?
- a. It triggers ovulation.
- b. It prepares and maintains the uterine lining (endometrium) for pregnancy.
- c. It stimulates follicle growth.
- d. It has no role in pregnancy.
Answer: b. It prepares and maintains the uterine lining (endometrium) for pregnancy.
45. A pharmacist’s role in reproductive health is to provide:
- a. Their personal opinions on contraception.
- b. Evidence-based, non-judgmental information and care.
- c. Only brand-name medications.
- d. A diagnosis of infertility.
Answer: b. Evidence-based, non-judgmental information and care.
46. Which of the following is a key reason for increased VTE risk during pregnancy?
- a. The blood becomes hypercoagulable.
- b. Women are less active.
- c. Blood volume decreases.
- d. All of the above.
Answer: a. The blood becomes hypercoagulable.
47. The “Intro to Women’s Health” lecture is part of the Patient Care 5 curriculum.
- a. True
- b. False
Answer: a. True
48. An active learning session on women’s health is part of which course module?
- a. Module 3: Women’s Health
- b. Module 1: Diabetes Mellitus
- c. Module 4: Medication Safety
- d. Module 8: Men’s Health
Answer: a. Module 3: Women’s Health
49. The overall management of medication use during pregnancy involves:
- a. Stopping all medications.
- a. A careful risk-benefit analysis for both the mother and the fetus.
- c. Using only medications from pregnancy category A.
- d. Only using medications that have been on the market for over 20 years.
Answer: b. A careful risk-benefit analysis for both the mother and the fetus.
50. The ultimate goal of understanding pharmacotherapy in pregnancy is to:
- a. Ensure the safe and effective use of necessary medications while minimizing risks to the developing fetus.
- b. Discourage all medication use in pregnant women.
- c. Pass the final exam.
- d. Memorize all the old pregnancy categories.
Answer: a. Ensure the safe and effective use of necessary medications while minimizing risks to the developing fetus.