Pharmacodynamics: practice question

A Pharmacology question in the style of the NEET PG paper. Answer it first, then read why the right option is right and why each of the others is wrong.

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Pharmacology · Pharmacodynamics

Sample item

What is a partial agonist capable of doing in presence of full agonist?

Original practice item, not a recalled exam question. Nothing here is recorded.

The answer and the reasoning

A. Acting as functional antagonist

A partial agonist produces submaximal receptor activation and can reduce overall response by occupying receptors that a full agonist would activate more strongly.

Option by option

  • A. Acting as functional antagonist (correct)

    Correct: lower intrinsic activity can antagonize full agonist.

  • B. Increasing maximal response above full agonist

    Full agonist already provides maximal efficacy.

  • C. Eliminating all receptor binding

    Partial agonists still bind receptors.

  • D. Preventing drug absorption

    Receptor action does not prevent absorption.

Source note: Original NextPrep sample item — pending expert review. This item is original practice material awaiting independent expert review, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.

More Pharmacology questions

Questions about this Pharmacology question

What is the answer to this Pharmacology question?

The best answer is A, Acting as functional antagonist. A partial agonist produces submaximal receptor activation and can reduce overall response by occupying receptors that a full agonist would activate more strongly.

Why is "Increasing maximal response above full agonist" not the answer?

Full agonist already provides maximal efficacy.

Why is "Eliminating all receptor binding" not the answer?

Partial agonists still bind receptors.

Why is "Preventing drug absorption" not the answer?

Receptor action does not prevent absorption.

What concept does this question test?

It tests Pharmacodynamics in Pharmacology. The correct option holds because: Correct: lower intrinsic activity can antagonize full agonist.

How hard is this question?

We tag it as an application question: it asks you to use a fact on a patient or a finding. The tag is our own editorial judgement, not an official difficulty rating, so read the reason for every option, not only the answer.

How should I study Pharmacodynamics?

Learn drugs as classes, then the exception in each class that an examiner would pick. Then use the flashcards and the other Pharmacology questions on this site to test what stuck.

Is this a real NEET PG question?

No. It is an original practice item (editorial status: sample, version 1). NextPrep does not publish recalled or leaked questions, and independent faculty review of this item has not been completed yet, so confirm important facts in a standard textbook.