Pharmacology Practice Test 14
Pharmacology NCLEX Practice Test
Pharmacology is a key topic within the NCLEX test plan, located under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations → Pharmacology. This section details drug mechanisms, safe administration, and patient education across nursing specialties. Each test contains 50 questions designed to mirror the difficulty and variety of the real exam.
This is the 14th part of the Pharmacology series. To explore all practice tests under this topic, use the “Back to Main Topic” button at the end of the page.
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Pharmacology Practice Test 14
The state of "general anesthesia" usually includes?
- Analgesia
- Loss of consciousness, inhibition of sensory and autonomic reflexes
- Amnesia
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: General anesthesia produces unconsciousness, analgesia, amnesia, and suppression of sensory/autonomic reflexes; therefore all listed effects apply.
Which of the following inhaled anesthetics increases cerebral blood flow least of all?
- Sevoflurane
- Nitrous oxide
- Isoflurane
- Desflurane
Explanation: Answer reason: Among commonly used inhaled agents, sevoflurane causes the smallest increase in cerebral blood flow and intracranial pressure; nitrous oxide and isoflurane/desflurane increase CBF more.
Indicate the intravenous anesthetic, which is an ultra-short-acting barbiturate?
- Fentanyl
- Thiopental
- Midazolam
- Ketamine
Explanation: Answer reason: Thiopental is an ultra–short-acting barbiturate used for IV induction; fentanyl is an opioid, midazolam is a benzodiazepine, and ketamine is an NMDA antagonist.
Indicate the intravenous anesthetic, which produces dissociative anesthesia?
- Midazolam
- Ketamine
- Fentanyl
- Thiopental
Explanation: Answer reason: Ketamine is the IV anesthetic known for producing dissociative anesthesia with analgesia and amnesia.
The mechanism of Cytiton action is?
- Direct activation of the respiratory center
- The reflex mechanism
- The mixed mechanism
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Cytiton (cytisine) is a respiratory stimulant that activates carotid body chemoreceptors, increasing respiration via a reflex pathway to the respiratory center rather than direct stimulation.
Indicate the expectorant with the reflex mechanism?
- Sodium benzoate
- Derivatives of Ipecacuanha and Thermopsis
- Trypsin
- Ambroxol
Explanation: Answer reason: Ipecacuanha and Thermopsis are classic reflex expectorants that irritate the gastric mucosa and via vagal reflex increase bronchial secretions. Trypsin and Ambroxol are mucolytics, and sodium benzoate is not a reflex expectorant.
Which of these groups of drugs is used for asthma treatment?
- Methylxanthines
- M-cholinoblocking agents
- Beta2 - stimulants
- All of above
Explanation: Answer reason: Asthma therapy includes methylxanthines (e.g., theophylline), antimuscarinics (M-cholinoblockers like ipratropium), and beta2-agonists; therefore all listed groups are used.
Which of the following M-cholinoblocking agents is used especially as an anti-asthmatic?
- Atropine
- Ipratropium
- Platiphylline
- Metacin
Explanation: Answer reason: Ipratropium is an inhaled antimuscarinic bronchodilator specifically used for asthma/COPD. Atropine and others are antimuscarinics but not used primarily as inhaled anti-asthmatics.
All of the following drugs are inhaled glucocorticoids EXCEPT?
- Triamcinolone
- Beclometazone
- Sodium cromoglycate
- Budesonide
Explanation: Answer reason: Triamcinolone, beclometazone, and budesonide are inhaled corticosteroids; sodium cromoglycate is a mast cell stabilizer, not a glucocorticoid.
Which of the following drugs is an agent of substitution therapy?
- Gastrin
- Hydrochloric acid
- Hystamine
- Carbonate mineral waters
Explanation: Answer reason: Substitution therapy replaces a deficient endogenous substance. Exogenous hydrochloric acid directly replaces gastric acid in hypochlorhydria/achlorhydria, unlike gastrin or histamine which only stimulate secretion.
Which of the following drugs may cause reversible gynecomastia?
- Omeprazole
- Pirenzepine
- Cimetidine
- Sucralfate
Explanation: Answer reason: Cimetidine has antiandrogenic effects and can cause reversible gynecomastia; the other listed GI drugs are not commonly associated with this effect.
Choose the drug that causes constipation?
- Sodium bicarbonate
- Aluminium hydroxide
- Calcium carbonate
- Magnesium oxide
Explanation: Answer reason: Among antacid salts, aluminum compounds commonly cause constipation, whereas magnesium salts cause diarrhea. Therefore aluminium hydroxide is the classic constipating agent.
Select an anorexigenic agent affecting serotoninergic system?
- Fenfluramine
- Fepranone
- Desopimone
- Masindole
Explanation: Answer reason: Fenfluramine is an appetite suppressant that acts via the serotonergic system by increasing serotonin release and inhibiting reuptake. The other listed agents primarily act through noradrenergic/dopaminergic mechanisms.
All of the following drugs intensify gastrointestinal motility EXCEPT?
- Papaverine
- Metoclopramide
- Domperidone
- Cisapride
Explanation: Answer reason: Metoclopramide, domperidone, and cisapride are prokinetic agents that increase GI motility. Papaverine is a smooth muscle relaxant/antispasmodic that decreases motility, so it is the exception.
All of these drugs reduce intestinal peristalsis EXCEPT?
- Loperamide
- Cisapride
- Methyl cellulose
- Magnesium aluminium silicate
Explanation: Answer reason: Cisapride is a prokinetic 5-HT4 agonist that increases gastrointestinal motility, whereas loperamide and adsorbent/bulk agents like methyl cellulose and magnesium aluminium silicate decrease motility or reduce diarrhea.
Which of the following drugs belongs to coumarin derivatives?
- Heparin
- Enoxaparin
- Dalteparin
- Warfarin
Explanation: Answer reason: Warfarin is a coumarin derivative (vitamin K antagonist). Heparin, enoxaparin, and dalteparin are heparins/LMWHs, not coumarins.
Which of the following drugs is an inhibitor of platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors?
- Aspirin
- Clopidogrel
- Ticlopidine
- Abciximab
Explanation: Answer reason: Abciximab is a monoclonal antibody that blocks platelet glycoprotein IIb/IIIa receptors; the others inhibit COX-1 (aspirin) or P2Y12 ADP receptors (clopidogrel, ticlopidine).
The most cardiac manifestation of glycosides intoxication is?
- Atrioventricular junctional rhythm
- Second-degree atrioventricular blockade
- Ventricular tachycardia
Explanation: Answer reason: Digoxin (cardiac glycosides) toxicity commonly produces AV nodal suppression with enhanced junctional automaticity, leading to an AV junctional rhythm; AV block and VT can occur but are less characteristic/common.
This drug is contraindicated in patients with moderate to severe heart failure?
- Nifedipine
- Verapamil
- Both of the above
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Verapamil (a non‑dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker) has negative inotropic effects and can worsen systolic heart failure, so it is contraindicated. Nifedipine is not an absolute contraindication in HF.
This drug acts by inhibiting slow calcium channels in the SA and AV nodes?
- Quinidine
- Adenosine
- Flecainide
- Diltiazem
Explanation: Answer reason: Diltiazem is a non-dihydropyridine calcium channel blocker that inhibits L-type calcium channels in SA/AV nodal tissue, slowing conduction. Quinidine and flecainide are sodium channel blockers; adenosine acts via A1 receptors to increase K+ efflux.
Main clinical use of calcium channel blockers is?
- Angina pectoris
- Hypertension
- Supraventricular tachyarrhythmias
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Calcium channel blockers are used to treat angina, hypertension, and certain supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, so all listed uses are correct.
All of the following are central acting antihypertensive drugs EXCEPT?
- Methyldopa
- Clonidine
- Moxonidine
- Minoxidil
Explanation: Answer reason: Methyldopa, clonidine, and moxonidine act centrally (alpha-2/imidazoline receptor agonists). Minoxidil is a peripheral direct arteriolar vasodilator, not a centrally acting antihypertensive.
30 year old patient has developed pseudomembranous collitis due to high dose moxiflaxaccin so now what should be the choice of drug for the pseudomembranous collitis?
- Amphicillin
- Amoxycillin
- Nafcillin
- Nilidixic acid
Explanation: Answer reason: Pseudomembranous colitis from antibiotics is treated with oral vancomycin or fidaxomicin (metronidazole as alternative). Penicillins (ampicillin, amoxycillin, nafcillin) and nalidixic acid are not indicated and can precipitate or worsen C. difficile infection.
In an old house a 60 year old man is suffering from rheumatoid fever what should be the choice of drug for him?
- Procaine penicillin G
- Benzothane penicillin G
- Both A and B
- Procain penicillin V
Explanation: Answer reason: Benzathine penicillin G (long-acting IM) is the drug of choice for rheumatic fever eradication/prophylaxis of group A streptococci; procaine penicillin G or oral penicillin V are not preferred, so not both.
Chemical interaction between which of the following drug and cell membrane components can result in the formation of pores lined by hydrophilic groups present in the drug molecule?
- Dactirromycin
- Fluconazole
- Nystatin
- All
Explanation: Answer reason: Nystatin is a polyene antifungal that binds ergosterol in fungal membranes and aggregates to form transmembrane pores; the hydrophilic portions of the drug line the pore. Fluconazole inhibits ergosterol synthesis and does not form pores.
A patient is being treated with auopurinol to control hyperuricemia resulting from chemotherapy which of the following would have its doses reduced to prevent toxicity?
- 5-FU
- 6-MP
- 6.TG
- Cytarabine
Explanation: Answer reason: Allopurinol inhibits xanthine oxidase, which metabolizes 6‑mercaptopurine. Concomitant use increases 6‑MP levels and toxicity, so its dose must be reduced. 5‑FU, 6‑TG, and cytarabine are not affected.
Which statment is accurate for pharmkodynamics?
- What the body do with the drugs
- What the drug do with the body
- What the receptors do with the drugs
- What the drug do with the receptors
Explanation: Answer reason: Pharmacodynamics describes what a drug does to the body (effects, mechanisms, dose–response). Option B states this, whereas option A defines pharmacokinetics.
Which drug class isn't used to treat GERD?
- Antacids
- Histamine receptor antagonists
- Beta blockers
- Proton pump inhibitors
Explanation: Answer reason: GERD is treated with acid-suppressing agents such as antacids, H2 receptor antagonists, and proton pump inhibitors; beta blockers are not GERD therapies.
What does “pharmacokinetics” include?
- Complications of drug therapy
- Drug biotransformation in the organism
- Influence of drugs on metabolism processes
- Influence of drugs on genes
Explanation: Answer reason: Pharmacokinetics describes what the body does to a drug—absorption, distribution, metabolism (biotransformation), and excretion. The other options relate to effects on the body or adverse effects, not kinetics.
The main mechanism of most drugs absorption in GI tract is?
- Active transport (carrier-mediated diffusion)
- Filtration (aqueous diffusion)
- Endocytosis and exocytosis
Explanation: Answer reason: Most drugs are absorbed by passive processes. Among the given choices, only filtration (aqueous diffusion) represents a passive mechanism and is more common than carrier-mediated transport or endocytosis.
A small amount of the volume of distribution is common for lipophilic substances easy penetrating through barriers and widely distributing in plasma, interstitial and cell fluids?
- True
- False
Explanation: Answer reason: Lipophilic drugs cross membranes easily and distribute widely into tissues, resulting in a large volume of distribution, not a small one.
Tick the drug type for which microsomal oxidation is the most prominent?
- Lipid soluble
- Water soluble
- Low molecular weight
- High molecular weight
Explanation: Answer reason: Microsomal (CYP450) oxidation in the liver primarily acts on lipophilic drugs to convert them into more polar metabolites for excretion; water-soluble drugs usually need little metabolism.
Biotransformation of a medicinal substance results in?
- Faster urinary excretion
- Slower urinary excretion
- Easier distribution in organism
- Higher binding to membranes
Explanation: Answer reason: Drug metabolism increases polarity and decreases lipid solubility, making compounds more water-soluble and easier to eliminate via the kidneys, thus speeding urinary excretion.
Half life (t 1/2) doesn't depend on?
- Biotransformation
- Time of drug absorption
- Concentration of a drug in plasma
- Rate of drug elimination
Explanation: Answer reason: Drug half-life is determined by clearance and volume of distribution (rate of elimination), not by how quickly it is absorbed. Therefore, time of drug absorption does not affect t1/2.
Which effect may lead to toxic reactions when a drug is taken continuously or repeatedly?
- Refractorness
- Cumulative effect
- Tolerance
- Tachyphylaxis
Explanation: Answer reason: Repeated dosing can exceed the body’s elimination capacity, causing drug accumulation and toxicity—i.e., a cumulative effect. Tolerance and tachyphylaxis decrease response; refractoriness is lack of response.
A teratogenic action is?
- Toxic action on the liver
- Negative action on the fetus causing fetal malformation
- Toxic action on blood system
- Toxic action on kidneys
Explanation: Answer reason: Teratogenicity refers to drug effects that disrupt embryonic or fetal development, leading to congenital malformations.
A good local anesthetic agent shouldn’t cause?
- Local irritation and tissue damage
- Systemic toxicity
- Fast onset and long duration of action
- Vasodilatation
Explanation: Answer reason: An ideal local anesthetic has minimal systemic toxicity; low toxicity is a core desired property. Fast onset and long duration are desirable, whereas local irritation and vasodilatation are undesirable but systemic toxicity is the key effect it should not cause.
Which one of the following groups is responsible for the duration of the local anesthetic action?
- Intermediate chain
- Lipophylic group
- Ionizable group
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Duration is largely determined by the intermediate linkage (ester vs amide), which dictates metabolism rate; amides are metabolized more slowly and last longer. The lipophilic group mainly affects potency, and the ionizable group mainly affects onset (pKa).
Which of the following local anesthetics is preferable in patient with pseudocholinesterase deficiency?
- Procaine
- Ropivacaine
- Tetracaine
- Benzocaine
Explanation: Answer reason: Ester local anesthetics (procaine, tetracaine, benzocaine) are hydrolyzed by plasma pseudocholinesterase, so deficiency causes prolonged effect/toxicity. Ropivacaine is an amide anesthetic metabolized hepatically and is preferred.
The anesthetic effect of the agents of short and intermediate duration of action can not be prolonged by adding?
- Epinephrine
- Norepinephrine
- Dopamine
- Phenylephrine
Explanation: Answer reason: Vasoconstrictors such as epinephrine, norepinephrine, and phenylephrine reduce local anesthetic systemic absorption and prolong action. Dopamine is not used as a vasoconstrictor adjunct for local anesthetics and does not prolong their effect.
A vasoconstrictor does not?
- Retard the removal of drug from the injection site
- Hence the chance of toxicity
- Decrease the blood level
- Reduce a local anesthetic uptake by the nerve
Explanation: Answer reason: Vasoconstrictors reduce blood flow at the injection site, delaying drug removal, lowering systemic blood levels and toxicity risk, and prolonging action. They do not reduce local anesthetic uptake by the nerve; if anything, they enhance it by keeping more drug near the nerve.
Muscarinic receptors are located in?
- Autonomic ganglia
- Skeletal muscle neuromuscular junctions
- Autonomic effector cells
- Sensory carotid sinus baroreceptor zone
Explanation: Answer reason: Muscarinic cholinergic receptors are found on parasympathetic effector organs (smooth muscle, cardiac muscle, glands). Autonomic ganglia and skeletal neuromuscular junctions use nicotinic receptors, and the carotid sinus baroreceptor is a mechanoreceptor, not muscarinic.
Acetylcholine is not used in clinical practice because?
- It is very toxic
- The doses required are very high
- It is very rapidly hydrolyzed
- It is very costly
Explanation: Answer reason: Acetylcholine is rapidly broken down by acetylcholinesterase and plasma cholinesterases, giving it an extremely short duration of action and poor clinical utility.
Which of the following direct-acting cholinomimetics is mainly muscarinic in action?
- Bethanechol
- Carbachol
- Acetylcholine
- None of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Bethanechol is a direct muscarinic agonist with negligible nicotinic activity, whereas carbachol and acetylcholine act on both muscarinic and nicotinic receptors.
Indicate the reversible cholinesterase inhibitor, which penetrates the blood-brain barrier?
- Physostigmine
- Edrophonium
- Neostigmine
- Piridostigmine
Explanation: Answer reason: Physostigmine is a tertiary amine anticholinesterase that crosses the blood–brain barrier; edrophonium, neostigmine, and pyridostigmine are quaternary ammonium compounds and do not.
Which of the following drugs is used for acute toxic effects of organophosphate cholinesterase inhibitors?
- Atropine
- Pilocarpine
- Pralidoxime
- Edrophonium
Explanation: Answer reason: Pralidoxime reactivates acetylcholinesterase inhibited by organophosphates, treating the cause of toxicity; atropine only counters muscarinic symptoms.
The group of nicotinic receptor-blocking drugs consists of?
- Ganglion-blockers
- Atropine-similar drugs
- Neuromuscular junction blockers
- Both a and c
Explanation: Answer reason: Nicotinic receptors are located at autonomic ganglia (NN) and the neuromuscular junction (NM). Antagonists that block these sites are ganglion blockers and neuromuscular junction blockers; atropine-like drugs block muscarinic receptors, not nicotinic.
The tissues most sensitive to atropine are?
- The salivary, bronchial and sweat glands
- The gastric parietal cells
- Smooth muscle and autonomic effectors
- The heart
Explanation: Answer reason: Secretory glands are the most sensitive tissues to muscarinic blockade; atropine reduces salivary, bronchial and sweat secretions at low doses. Cardiac and smooth muscle effects require higher doses, and gastric parietal cells are least sensitive.
All of the following parts of the heart are very sensitive to muscarinic receptor blockade except?
- Atria
- Sinoatrial node
- Atioventricular node
- Ventricle
Explanation: Answer reason: Muscarinic (vagal) M2 receptors are concentrated in the SA node, AV node, and atria; ventricular myocardium has minimal cholinergic innervation and is relatively insensitive to muscarinic blockade.
Contraindications to the use of antimuscarinic drugs are all of the following except?
- Glaucoma
- Myasthenia
- Bronchial asthma
- Paralytic ileus and atony of the urinary bladder
Explanation: Answer reason: Antimuscarinics are contraindicated in angle-closure glaucoma (↑IOP), myasthenia gravis (worsens neuromuscular weakness), and paralytic ileus/urinary retention (↓GI/GU motility). They are not contraindicated in asthma; in fact agents like ipratropium are used for bronchospasm.
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