Pharmacodynamics And Receptor Theory Practice Test

A 72-year-old man with decompensated heart failure requires diuretic therapy. He is treated with Drug A, which produces a maximal diuresis of 2 liters of urine per day. His physician switches him to Drug B. Drug B produces a maximal diuresis of 4 liters per day, which is a more desirable clinical outcome for this patient. The dose required to achieve 50% of the maximal effect is 20 mg for Drug A and 40 mg for Drug B.

A 28-year-old woman with opioid use disorder is started on buprenorphine as part of a medication-assisted treatment program. Buprenorphine binds to the μ-opioid receptor but produces a less pronounced effect than morphine. When administered to a patient currently taking morphine, buprenorphine can precipitate withdrawal symptoms.