Antimetabolites: Drugs that Target Cell Growth and Division

Question 1

How do antimetabolites primarily exert their pharmacological effect?

Accepted Answer

By inhibiting thymidylate synthase, interfering with DNA synthesis

Answer

By binding to the ribosome, inhibiting protein synthesis

Answer

By stimulating DNA synthesis, increasing cell proliferation

Question 2

How do antimetabolites work?

Accepted Answer

They mimic normal metabolites and interfere with DNA synthesis.

Answer

They block RNA synthesis.

Answer

They prevent protein synthesis.

Answer

They directly inhibit cell division.

Question 3

Which mechanism of action is NOT associated with methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of RNA polymerase

Answer

Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase

Answer

Inhibition of thymidylate synthase

Answer

Inhibition of DNA polymerase

Question 4

Which statement about antimetabolites is accurate?

Accepted Answer

They are specifically toxic to rapidly dividing cells.

Answer

They are typically used to treat solid tumors.

Answer

They have no major adverse effects.

Answer

They are effective against all types of cancer.

Question 5

Which of the following is a structural analog of folic acid?

Accepted Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

5-fluorouracil

Answer

Mercaptopurine

Answer

Cladribine

Question 6

Which enzyme is the primary target of inhibition by 5-fluorouracil?

Accepted Answer

Thymidylate synthase

Answer

Thymidine phosphorylase

Answer

Dihydrofolate reductase

Answer

Ribonucleotide reductase

Question 7

Which statement about the use of antimetabolites is incorrect?

Accepted Answer

They are typically used as first-line therapy for most types of cancer.

Answer

They are often used in combination with other cytotoxic drugs.

Answer

They have a narrow therapeutic index.

Answer

They are effective in treating both solid tumors and hematological malignancies.

Question 8

Which of the following is an example of a nucleoside analog antimetabolite?

Accepted Answer

Cladribine

Answer

Methotrexate

Answer

5-fluorouracil

Answer

Mercaptopurine

Question 9

What is the primary mechanism of action of methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Blocks the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase

Answer

Inhibits the synthesis of DNA

Answer

Prevents cell division

Answer

Triggers apoptosis

Question 10

Which medication is used to rescue patients from methotrexate toxicity?

Accepted Answer

Leucovorin

Answer

Mesna

Answer

Amifostine

Answer

Pegfilgrastim

Question 11

Methotrexate's primary mechanism of action involves which target?

Accepted Answer

Dihydrofolate reductase

Answer

DNA polymerase

Answer

Topoisomerase II

Answer

Ribonucleotide reductase

Question 12

Which of the following is an established clinical application of 5-fluorouracil?

Accepted Answer

Colorectal cancer treatment

Answer

Breast cancer treatment

Answer

Acute myeloid leukemia treatment

Answer

Rheumatoid arthritis treatment

Question 13

Methotrexate commonly leads to which adverse effect?

Accepted Answer

Myelosuppression

Answer

Gastrointestinal toxicity

Answer

Hepatotoxicity

Answer

Cardiotoxicity

Question 14

Leucovorin's role in methotrexate therapy primarily involves:

Accepted Answer

Reversing methotrexate's adverse effects

Answer

Preventing methotrexate-induced myelosuppression

Answer

Enhancing methotrexate's antitumor activity

Answer

Increasing methotrexate's half-life

Question 15

In the treatment of acute lymphoblastic leukemia, methotrexate is typically administered:

Accepted Answer

Intravenously

Answer

Intramuscularly

Answer

Orally

Answer

Subcutaneously

Question 16

Which statement about antimetabolites is inaccurate?

Accepted Answer

Antimetabolites invariably lead to cancer cures.

Answer

Typically, antimetabolites are cell cycle-specific.

Answer

Antimetabolites may cause myelosuppression and gastrointestinal problems.

Answer

Combination chemotherapy often includes antimetabolites.

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the mechanism of action of methotrexate?

Accepted Answer

Inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, impairing DNA synthesis.

Answer

Inhibits DNA polymerase, directly blocking DNA replication.

Answer

Inhibits orotate phosphoribosyltransferase, disrupting RNA synthesis.

Answer

Inhibits thymidylate synthase, hindering DNA synthesis.

Question 18

A common clinical use of methotrexate is:

Accepted Answer

Treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and other autoimmune disorders.

Answer

Treatment of diabetes.

Answer

Treatment of hypertension.

Answer

Treatment of bacterial infections.

Question 19

Which of the following is a potential adverse effect associated with methotrexate therapy?

Accepted Answer

Myelosuppression, reducing blood cell production.

Answer

Hyperkalemia, elevated potassium levels in the blood.

Answer

Hypotension, abnormally low blood pressure.

Answer

Bronchospasm, constriction of the airways.

Question 20

The mechanism of action of 5-fluorouracil involves:

Accepted Answer

Inhibition of thymidylate synthase, interfering with DNA synthesis.

Answer

Inhibition of dihydrofolate reductase, impairing DNA synthesis.

Answer

Inhibition of DNA polymerase, preventing DNA replication.

Answer

Inhibition of orotate phosphoribosyltransferase, disturbing RNA synthesis.

Question 21

A clinical application of 5-fluorouracil includes:

Accepted Answer

Treatment of colorectal cancer.

Answer

Treatment of Parkinson's disease.

Answer

Treatment of asthma.

Question 22

Which of the following is a common adverse effect of 5-fluorouracil?

Accepted Answer

Gastrointestinal toxicity, causing nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea.

Answer

Neurotoxicity, affecting the nervous system.

Answer

Cardiotoxicity, damaging the heart.

Answer

Nephrotoxicity, harming the kidneys.

Question 23

A potential drug interaction with methotrexate is:

Accepted Answer

Trimethoprim, which can increase the risk of bone marrow suppression.

Answer

Aspirin, an anticoagulant.

Answer

Paracetamol, a pain reliever.

Answer

Ibuprofen, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug.

Question 24

An important nursing consideration when administering 5-fluorouracil is to:

Accepted Answer

Monitor for signs of bone marrow suppression, such as low blood counts.

Answer

Monitor for signs of hypertension, high blood pressure.

Answer

Monitor for signs of hyperkalemia, elevated potassium levels.

Answer

Monitor for signs of hypoglycemia, low blood sugar.