Beta Blockers USMLE Step 1 Practice Question
A 36-year-old woman with opioid use disorder presents 2 days after stopping oxycodone with rhinorrhea, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, piloerection, and mydriasis. Vital signs show HR 102 bpm, BP 138/88 mmHg, RR 18/min, temp 37.2°C. She denies suicidal ideation. Urine drug screen confirms opioid metabolites. She is started on buprenorphine, which relieves withdrawal symptoms but produces less euphoria than oxycodone. Which of the following properties best explains this medication's effect?
Answer choices
- AIrreversible receptor blockade
- BGreater volume of distribution
- CLower bioavailability
- DLower efficacy at the mu receptorCorrect answer
- EHigher therapeutic index
- FAntagonism at the kappa opioid receptor
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