Immunologic Drugs Practice Exam Questions and Answers

Immunologic Drugs Practice Exam Questions and Answers

 

1. Which of the following is the main function of immunosuppressive drugs?

1. A) Enhance immune system function
   B) Suppress immune response to prevent rejection
   C) Increase white blood cell production
   D) Stimulate antibody production
   Answer: B) Suppress immune response to prevent rejection
   Explanation: Immunosuppressive drugs are primarily used to suppress the immune system to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients or to treat autoimmune diseases.

 

2. Which of the following drugs is commonly used as an immunosuppressant in organ transplantation?

1. A) Azathioprine
   B) Ibuprofen
   C) Prednisone
   D) Acetaminophen
   Answer: A) Azathioprine
   Explanation: Azathioprine is an immunosuppressive drug often used in organ transplantation to prevent rejection.

 

3. Which class of drugs is commonly used to treat autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis?

1. A) Steroids
   B) Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
   C) Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
   D) Antihistamines
   Answer: C) Disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs)
   Explanation: DMARDs, such as methotrexate and sulfasalazine, are used to treat autoimmune diseases by modulating the immune system and preventing long-term damage.

 

4. Which of the following is a biologic immunomodulator used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Rituximab
   C) Ibuprofen
   D) Hydroxychloroquine
   Answer: B) Rituximab
   Explanation: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on B-cells and is used to treat autoimmune conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

 

5. What is the mechanism of action of corticosteroids in immunologic diseases?

1. A) Inhibit T-cell activation
   B) Increase white blood cell production
   C) Suppress inflammatory cytokine production
   D) Enhance antibody production
   Answer: C) Suppress inflammatory cytokine production
   Explanation: Corticosteroids suppress the immune system by inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines, thus reducing inflammation in autoimmune diseases.

 

6. Which of the following drugs is used to treat severe asthma and is an immunosuppressive agent?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Omalizumab
   C) Prednisone
   D) Diphenhydramine
   Answer: B) Omalizumab
   Explanation: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks IgE antibodies, used for severe asthma in patients with high levels of IgE.

 

7. Which immunosuppressive drug is a calcineurin inhibitor used in organ transplantation?

1. A) Tacrolimus
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Cyclophosphamide
   D) Cyclosporine
   Answer: D) Cyclosporine
   Explanation: Cyclosporine is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent organ rejection in transplant patients by inhibiting T-cell activation.

 

8. Which drug is often used in combination with other immunosuppressants to prevent organ rejection after transplantation?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Acetaminophen
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: B) Azathioprine
   Explanation: Azathioprine is commonly used in combination with other immunosuppressants, such as cyclosporine or tacrolimus, to prevent organ rejection after transplantation.

 

9. Which of the following is a side effect commonly associated with immunosuppressive drugs?

1. A) Increased risk of infection
   B) Hypotension
   C) Insomnia
   D) Weight loss
   Answer: A) Increased risk of infection
   Explanation: Immunosuppressive drugs suppress the immune system, increasing the risk of infections.

 

10. Which of the following drugs is an interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor antagonist used in organ transplantation?

1. A) Basiliximab
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Infliximab
   D) Etanercept
   Answer: A) Basiliximab
   Explanation: Basiliximab is an IL-2 receptor antagonist that prevents T-cell activation in organ transplant recipients to prevent rejection.

 

11. Which of the following drugs is used to treat gout by inhibiting uric acid production?

1. A) Colchicine
   B) Allopurinol
   C) Ibuprofen
   D) Acetaminophen
   Answer: B) Allopurinol
   Explanation: Allopurinol is used to treat gout by inhibiting xanthine oxidase, which reduces uric acid production.

 

12. Which class of drugs is most commonly used to prevent rejection in organ transplant recipients?

1. A) Calcineurin inhibitors
   B) NSAIDs
   C) Beta-blockers
   D) Antibiotics
   Answer: A) Calcineurin inhibitors
   Explanation: Calcineurin inhibitors, such as cyclosporine and tacrolimus, are the most commonly used immunosuppressive drugs to prevent organ rejection.

 

13. Which of the following immunologic drugs can increase the risk of lymphoma in long-term use?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Prednisone
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: B) Azathioprine
   Explanation: Long-term use of azathioprine can increase the risk of lymphoma due to its immune-suppressing effects.

 

14. Which of the following immunologic drugs works by inhibiting the activity of dihydrofolate reductase?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Cyclophosphamide
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Etanercept
   Answer: A) Methotrexate
   Explanation: Methotrexate inhibits dihydrofolate reductase, which is important for DNA synthesis, and is used in cancer treatment as well as in autoimmune diseases.

 

15. Which of the following biologic agents is used to treat Crohn’s disease by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)?

1. A) Infliximab
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Hydroxychloroquine
   D) Tacrolimus
   Answer: A) Infliximab
   Explanation: Infliximab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits TNF-alpha, a cytokine involved in inflammation, and is used to treat inflammatory bowel diseases like Crohn’s disease.

 

16. Which of the following drugs is used as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Ibuprofen
   C) Prednisone
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Methotrexate
   Explanation: Methotrexate is commonly used as a first-line treatment for rheumatoid arthritis because of its effectiveness in suppressing the immune response and reducing inflammation.

 

17. Which of the following immunologic drugs can be used to treat psoriasis?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Ciprofloxacin
   D) Acetaminophen
   Answer: A) Methotrexate
   Explanation: Methotrexate is used to treat psoriasis by reducing the overactive immune response that causes skin cell turnover to speed up.

 

18. Which of the following drugs is used in organ transplantation and works by inhibiting the proliferation of T-cells?

1. A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Prednisone
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   Explanation: Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits the proliferation of T-cells by blocking inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is required for guanine synthesis.

 

19. Which of the following drugs is used to treat multiple sclerosis by inhibiting T-cell activation?

1. A) Glatiramer acetate
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Glatiramer acetate
   Explanation: Glatiramer acetate is used in multiple sclerosis (MS) to modify the immune response and reduce the frequency of MS relapses.

 

20. Which of the following drugs is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD52 on B- and T-cells?

1. A) Alemtuzumab
   B) Rituximab
   C) Basiliximab
   D) Abatacept
   Answer: A) Alemtuzumab
   Explanation: Alemtuzumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD52, which is expressed on both B- and T-cells, and is used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and multiple sclerosis.

 

21. Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs is used to prevent organ rejection by inhibiting purine synthesis?

1. A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Tacrolimus
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   Explanation: Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is necessary for purine synthesis, thereby preventing T-cell and B-cell proliferation.

 

22. Which immunologic drug is commonly used in the treatment of lupus erythematosus?

1. A) Hydroxychloroquine
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Rituximab
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Hydroxychloroquine
   Explanation: Hydroxychloroquine is commonly used in lupus erythematosus for its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

 

23. Which of the following is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL)?

1. A) Rituximab
   B) Infliximab
   C) Omalizumab
   D) Basiliximab
   Answer: A) Rituximab
   Explanation: Rituximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD20 on B-cells and is used in the treatment of chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL).

 

24. Which immunosuppressive drug can be used to treat severe psoriasis by inhibiting T-cell activation?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Tacrolimus
   D) Acitretin
   Answer: B) Cyclosporine
   Explanation: Cyclosporine is an immunosuppressant that inhibits T-cell activation and is used in the treatment of severe psoriasis.

 

25. Which of the following is an interleukin-6 (IL-6) receptor antagonist used to treat autoimmune diseases?

1. A) Tocilizumab
   B) Rituximab
   C) Infliximab
   D) Etanercept
   Answer: A) Tocilizumab
   Explanation: Tocilizumab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks IL-6 receptors, used to treat autoimmune diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis.

 

26. Which immunologic drug is used to treat atopic dermatitis by blocking the action of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and interleukin-13 (IL-13)?

1. A) Dupilumab
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Hydroxychloroquine
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Dupilumab
   Explanation: Dupilumab is a monoclonal antibody that inhibits IL-4 and IL-13 signaling, used to treat moderate to severe atopic dermatitis.

 

27. Which of the following drugs is used in the treatment of acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation?

1. A) Methylprednisolone
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Rituximab
   D) Allopurinol
   Answer: A) Methylprednisolone
   Explanation: Methylprednisolone is a corticosteroid commonly used to treat acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD), an immune response triggered by transplanted cells.

 

28. Which of the following immunologic drugs can cause progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML)?

1. A) Rituximab
   B) Cyclophosphamide
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Rituximab
   Explanation: Rituximab has been associated with the risk of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML), a serious brain infection, especially in patients with weakened immune systems.

 

29. Which of the following immunologic drugs is used to treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease?

1. A) Infliximab
   B) Hydroxychloroquine
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Infliximab
   Explanation: Infliximab, a TNF-alpha inhibitor, is used to treat moderate-to-severe ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease by reducing inflammation.

 

30. Which immunologic drug can be used to treat ankylosing spondylitis by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)?

1. A) Etanercept
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Etanercept
   Explanation: Etanercept is a TNF inhibitor used to treat ankylosing spondylitis by reducing inflammation caused by TNF.

 

31. Which immunosuppressive drug is a purine analog used to prevent organ rejection after transplantation?

1. A) Azathioprine
   B) Tacrolimus
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Azathioprine
   Explanation: Azathioprine is a purine analog that inhibits purine metabolism, preventing T-cell proliferation and is used in transplant recipients to prevent organ rejection.

 

32. Which drug is commonly used for immunosuppression in bone marrow transplant patients to prevent graft rejection?

1. A) Tacrolimus
   B) Cyclosporine
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: B) Cyclosporine
   Explanation: Cyclosporine is widely used in bone marrow transplant patients to prevent rejection by inhibiting T-cell activation.

 

33. Which of the following immunologic drugs is used to treat multiple sclerosis by reducing immune attacks on the nervous system?

1. A) Interferon beta
   B) Hydroxychloroquine
   C) Rituximab
   D) Cyclosporine
   Answer: A) Interferon beta
   Explanation: Interferon beta is used to treat multiple sclerosis (MS) by modulating the immune system and reducing the frequency and severity of relapses.

 

34. Which immunologic drug is used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by blocking the costimulatory signal required for T-cell activation?

1. A) Abatacept
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Prednisone
   D) Infliximab
   Answer: A) Abatacept
   Explanation: Abatacept is a biologic drug that inhibits T-cell activation by blocking the costimulatory signal needed for T-cell activation, used in rheumatoid arthritis.

 

35. Which of the following immunologic drugs is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of allergic asthma?

1. A) Omalizumab
   B) Prednisone
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Omalizumab
   Explanation: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to IgE, reducing the allergic response and used in severe asthma.

 

36. Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs is often used in the treatment of nephrotic syndrome?

1. A) Cyclosporine
   B) Prednisone
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Tacrolimus
   Answer: A) Cyclosporine
   Explanation: Cyclosporine is used in nephrotic syndrome to suppress the immune response and reduce proteinuria in some cases.

 

37. Which drug is a monoclonal antibody used in the treatment of solid tumors such as non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)?

1. A) Pembrolizumab
   B) Rituximab
   C) Infliximab
   D) Etanercept
   Answer: A) Pembrolizumab
   Explanation: Pembrolizumab is a PD-1 inhibitor used in the treatment of cancers, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

 

38. Which of the following drugs is used to treat allergic rhinitis by blocking histamine receptors?

1. A) Cetirizine
   B) Infliximab
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Cetirizine
   Explanation: Cetirizine is an antihistamine used to treat allergic rhinitis by blocking histamine receptors, reducing allergy symptoms.

 

39. Which immunologic drug is used for the prevention of organ transplant rejection and works by inhibiting purine synthesis in T-cells?

1. A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   B) Tacrolimus
   C) Cyclosporine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   Explanation: Mycophenolate mofetil works by inhibiting inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, essential for purine synthesis in T-cells, thus preventing organ rejection.

 

40. Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs is used in the treatment of lupus nephritis?

1. A) Cyclophosphamide
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Hydroxychloroquine
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Cyclophosphamide
   Explanation: Cyclophosphamide is used in severe cases of lupus nephritis to suppress the immune system and prevent kidney damage.

 

41. Which immunosuppressive drug is commonly used to prevent organ rejection in liver transplant recipients?

1. A) Tacrolimus
   B) Hydroxychloroquine
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Tacrolimus
   Explanation: Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor used to prevent organ rejection in liver transplant recipients by inhibiting T-cell activation.

 

42. Which of the following immunologic drugs is used in the treatment of psoriatic arthritis by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor (TNF)?

1. A) Etanercept
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Hydroxychloroquine
   Answer: A) Etanercept
   Explanation: Etanercept is a TNF inhibitor that helps reduce inflammation and disease progression in psoriatic arthritis.

 

43. Which of the following is an immunosuppressive drug that inhibits the synthesis of purines and is used in the prevention of organ transplant rejection?

1. A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Cyclosporine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Mycophenolate mofetil
   Explanation: Mycophenolate mofetil inhibits the enzyme inosine monophosphate dehydrogenase, which is critical for purine synthesis, suppressing T-cell proliferation.

 

44. Which immunologic drug is commonly used in the treatment of Crohn’s disease to reduce inflammation by inhibiting TNF-alpha?

1. A) Infliximab
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Tacrolimus
   Answer: A) Infliximab
   Explanation: Infliximab is a TNF-alpha inhibitor used to reduce inflammation in Crohn’s disease and other inflammatory bowel diseases.

 

45. Which of the following immunologic drugs is used to treat relapsing multiple sclerosis by modulating the immune response?

1. A) Interferon beta
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Rituximab
   D) Cyclophosphamide
   Answer: A) Interferon beta
   Explanation: Interferon beta modulates the immune system, reducing the frequency and severity of relapses in multiple sclerosis (MS).

 

46. Which immunologic drug is used to treat allergic asthma by inhibiting IgE binding to mast cells and basophils?

1. A) Omalizumab
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Prednisone
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Omalizumab
   Explanation: Omalizumab is a monoclonal antibody that binds to IgE, preventing its binding to mast cells and basophils, which reduces allergic reactions in asthma.

 

47. Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs can cause hyperkalemia as a side effect?

1. A) Tacrolimus
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Azathioprine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Tacrolimus
   Explanation: Tacrolimus can cause hyperkalemia (elevated potassium levels) as a side effect due to its effects on renal function.

 

48. Which immunologic drug is used to treat severe allergic reactions by blocking histamine receptors?

1. A) Diphenhydramine
   B) Omalizumab
   C) Hydroxychloroquine
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Diphenhydramine
   Explanation: Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine that blocks H1 histamine receptors, used to treat allergic reactions such as those in anaphylaxis.

 

49. Which of the following immunosuppressive drugs is a monoclonal antibody that targets CD25, the IL-2 receptor?

1. A) Basiliximab
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Rituximab
   D) Cyclosporine
   Answer: A) Basiliximab
   Explanation: Basiliximab is a monoclonal antibody that targets the IL-2 receptor (CD25) on T-cells to prevent activation and proliferation, used in organ transplantation.

 

50. Which of the following immunologic drugs can be used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)?

1. A) Hydroxychloroquine
   B) Tacrolimus
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Cyclosporine
   Answer: A) Hydroxychloroquine
   Explanation: Hydroxychloroquine is used to treat systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) by reducing inflammation and modulating the immune system.

 

51. Which drug is a Janus kinase (JAK) inhibitor used to treat rheumatoid arthritis by inhibiting the activity of JAK enzymes involved in inflammation?

1. A) Tofacitinib
   B) Infliximab
   C) Etanercept
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Tofacitinib
   Explanation: Tofacitinib is a JAK inhibitor that blocks the activity of enzymes involved in the inflammatory process in rheumatoid arthritis.

 

52. Which of the following immunologic drugs is commonly used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML)?

1. A) Imatinib
   B) Rituximab
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Cyclophosphamide
   Answer: A) Imatinib
   Explanation: Imatinib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor used to treat chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML) by targeting the BCR-ABL fusion protein.

 

53. Which immunologic drug works by inhibiting the activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kB), a protein complex involved in immune responses?

1. A) Bortezomib
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Cyclosporine
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Bortezomib
   Explanation: Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that indirectly inhibits NF-kB activation, used in the treatment of multiple myeloma.

 

54. Which of the following immunologic drugs is used to treat idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) by inhibiting the activity of fibroblasts?

1. A) Pirfenidone
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Rituximab
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Pirfenidone
   Explanation: Pirfenidone inhibits fibroblast activity and reduces fibrosis in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF).

 

55. Which immunologic drug is used to treat multiple types of cancer, including colorectal cancer, by targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)?

1. A) Bevacizumab
   B) Rituximab
   C) Methotrexate
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Bevacizumab
   Explanation: Bevacizumab is a monoclonal antibody that targets VEGF, reducing angiogenesis and tumor growth in cancers such as colorectal cancer.

 

56. Which immunologic drug can cause a risk of serious infection, including tuberculosis, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis?

1. A) Etanercept
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Cyclosporine
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Etanercept
   Explanation: Etanercept, a TNF inhibitor, can increase the risk of serious infections like tuberculosis due to its immune-suppressing effects.

 

57. Which drug is an interleukin-1 (IL-1) receptor antagonist used to treat rheumatoid arthritis?

1. A) Anakinra
   B) Infliximab
   C) Rituximab
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Anakinra
   Explanation: Anakinra is an IL-1 receptor antagonist that reduces inflammation in conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.

 

58. Which immunologic drug is used in the prevention of acute organ rejection in heart transplant patients?

1. A) Tacrolimus
   B) Methotrexate
   C) Hydroxychloroquine
   D) Prednisone
   Answer: A) Tacrolimus
   Explanation: Tacrolimus is a calcineurin inhibitor that is commonly used in heart transplant recipients to prevent acute rejection.

 

59. Which immunosuppressive drug is known to cause oral mucositis as a side effect?

1. A) Methotrexate
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Tacrolimus
   D) Rituximab
   Answer: A) Methotrexate
   Explanation: Methotrexate is associated with oral mucositis, a condition where the mucous membranes of the mouth become inflamed and ulcerated.

 

60. Which immunologic drug is used to treat chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP)?

1. A) Rituximab
   B) Azathioprine
   C) Cyclosporine
   D) Methotrexate
   Answer: A) Rituximab
   Explanation: Rituximab is used in the treatment of chronic idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) by depleting B-cells and reducing platelet destruction.