Pharmacology and Therapeutic Use of Medicines
What the exam tests
This domain tests class-level pharmacology: mechanism, main therapeutic uses, common adverse effects, contraindications, and clinically important interactions. In Mongolia, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, tuberculosis, viral hepatitis, and respiratory infections are high-priority areas, so questions often use those contexts.
Core concepts
- Antibiotics: beta-lactams inhibit cell-wall synthesis; macrolides and tetracyclines inhibit protein synthesis. Antibiotic stewardship means using the right drug, dose, duration, and culture guidance; not every fever needs an antibiotic.
- Cardiovascular: ACE inhibitors reduce angiotensin II and cause cough and hyperkalemia; beta-blockers reduce heart rate and can worsen asthma; statins lower LDL and carry muscle-related warnings.
- Diabetes: metformin reduces hepatic glucose output; it is avoided in severe renal impairment and carries a rare lactic acidosis risk. Insulin requires injection technique and hypoglycemia counselling.
- Analgesia: paracetamol is hepatotoxic in overdose; NSAIDs cause gastrointestinal and renal harm and interact with ACE inhibitors and anticoagulants.
- TB: multi-drug therapy is essential; monotherapy drives resistance.
Worked example
A patient with asthma asks for a beta-blocker for palpitations. Beta-blockers can cause bronchoconstriction and are generally avoided in asthma unless a specialist decides otherwise. The technician should not recommend one OTC or endorse a casual switch; refer to the prescriber and pharmacist, and document the asthma concern.
Traps that cost marks
Memorising brand names without mechanisms; ignoring renal function for metformin; missing the NSAID–ACE inhibitor–diuretic “triple whammy”; and assuming a new symptom is unrelated to a medicine.