Pharmacology Practice Test 2
Pharmacology NCLEX Practice Test
Pharmacology, within the NCLEX test plan under Nursing Science → Clinical Foundations, reflects the core knowledge domains and conceptual competencies directly related to what the exam evaluates. The targeted number of questions is 50; designed with realistic clinical scenarios and conceptual variety to help you identify both your strengths and improvement areas.
This test is the 2nd part of the Pharmacology section. 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 2
Common unwanted effects of the dihydropyridines are due to vasodilation. It's?
- True
- False
Explanation: Answer reason: Dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers primarily cause peripheral arteriolar vasodilation; common adverse effects like flushing, headache, dizziness, edema, and reflex tachycardia result from this vasodilation
Digoxin is obtained from which port of Digitalis purpurea?
- Leaves
- Flower
- Fruits
- Stem
Explanation: Answer reason: Cardiac glycosides, such as digoxin, are extracted from the dried leaves of Digitalis species.
__________ agent mainly causes decrease in sperm count?
- Cimetidine
- Loperamide
- Amoxicillin
- None
Explanation: Answer reason: Cimetidine, an H2 receptor antagonist, has antiandrogenic effects and can cause gynecomastia, decreased libido, and reduced sperm count; the other options are not known to decrease sperm count.
Imatinib mesylate is an antineoplastic agent that blocks ________ protein?
- ABL
- RAS
- E2F
- R.B
Explanation: Answer reason: Imatinib inhibits the BCR-ABL tyrosine kinase, thereby blocking ABL protein activity, particularly in CML.
Quinine and quinidines are __________ drugs?
- Amebiasis
- Malarial
- Leishmaniasis
- Anti-TB
Explanation: Answer reason: Quinine and quinidine are antimalarial agents used to treat Plasmodium infections. They are not drugs for amebiasis, leishmaniasis, or tuberculosis.
A highly selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor is?
- Sertraline
- Paroxetine
- Fluoxetine
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Sertraline, paroxetine, and fluoxetine are all selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs).
Restlessness, anxiety, orthostatic hypotension, generalized seizures, severe tremor, vivid hallucinations, and psychosis are possible symptoms of?
- Tolerance
- Withdrawal
- Drug interactions between barbiturates and diazepam
- None of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: These findings—anxiety, tremor, hallucinations, psychosis, and seizures—characterize sedative-hypnotic withdrawal. Tolerance does not produce acute symptoms; typical barbiturate-diazepam interactions cause CNS depression rather than this hyperexcitable state.
Pick out the sympatholytic drug?
- Labetalol
- Prazosin
- Guanethidine
- Clonidine
Explanation: Answer reason: Guanethidine is an adrenergic neuron blocker that prevents norepinephrine release from sympathetic nerve terminals—classically classified as a sympatholytic. The others are receptor agonists or antagonists (alpha- or beta-blockers or a central alpha2 agonist), not neuronal blockers.
Mechanism of rifampin action is?
- Inhibition of mycolic acid synthesis
- Inhibition of DNA-dependent RNA polymerase
- Inhibition of topoisomerase II
- Inhibition of cAMP synthesis
Explanation: Answer reason: Rifampin blocks bacterial DNA-dependent RNA polymerase, halting RNA synthesis. Isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis; fluoroquinolones inhibit topoisomerase II; cAMP synthesis is not a target.
Anti-anxiety agents have?
- Sedative and hypnotic activity
- Muscle-relaxing and anticonvulsant effects
- Amnesic properties
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Benzodiazepine-class anxiolytics produce sedation/hypnosis, muscle relaxation with anticonvulsant activity, and anterograde amnesia; therefore, all listed effects apply.
A limitation of buspirone is?
- Low therapeutic index.
- An extremely slow onset of action.
- High potential for development of physical dependence.
- Impairment of mentation or motor function during working hours
Explanation: Answer reason: Buspirone’s chief drawback is its delayed anxiolytic effect, often taking 1–2 weeks. It causes minimal sedation, little psychomotor impairment, and has a low risk of dependence.
....... describes any agent that allays or reduces fever?
- Antisepsis
- Antitussive
- Antiserum
- Antipyretic
Explanation: Answer reason: Agents that reduce or relieve a fever are called antipyretics. Antisepsis prevents infection, antitussives suppress cough, and antiserum contains antibodies.
What is the amount of hormone released by Progestasert per day?
- 25 µg
- 45 μg
- 65 µg
- 85 µg
Explanation: Answer reason: Progestasert is a progesterone-releasing intrauterine device that delivers approximately 65 micrograms of progesterone per day for about one year.
Which carbapenem antibiotic is the only one that requires the addition of cilastatin to protect it from renal dehydropeptidase?
- Ertapenem
- Meropenem
- Doripenem
- Imipenem
Explanation: Answer reason: Imipenem is hydrolyzed by renal dehydropeptidase I and must be coadministered with cilastatin to prevent inactivation; other carbapenems are DHP-I resistant.
Metabolic transformation and conjugation usually result in an increase in a substance's biological activity?
- True
- False
Explanation: Answer reason: Drug metabolism, especially Phase II conjugation, typically inactivates compounds by making them more polar for excretion; their activity usually decreases, with prodrugs being exceptions.
Compared with phentolamine, prazosin has all of the following features except?
- Irreversible blockade of alpha receptors
- Highly selective for alpha1 receptors.
- The relative absence of tachycardia.
- Persistent block of alpha-1 receptors
Explanation: Answer reason: Prazosin is a selective, reversible alpha1 antagonist with less reflex tachycardia and a longer duration than phentolamine. Irreversible alpha blockade is characteristic of phenoxybenzamine, not prazosin.
Tick a hypnotic agent — a barbituric acid derivative?
- Flurazepam
- Zaleplon
- Thiopental
- Triazolam
Explanation: Answer reason: Thiopental is a barbituric acid derivative (a barbiturate) used as a hypnotic and anesthetic. The others are benzodiazepines or non-benzodiazepine hypnotics.
Indicate the main claim of an ideal antidepressant agent?
- Faster onset of action.
- Fewer adverse sedative and autonomic effects
- Less toxicity when overdoses are taken
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Desirable properties of an antidepressant include a faster onset, fewer sedative/autonomic adverse effects, and lower toxicity in overdose, so all listed statements are correct.
Which of the following general anesthetics is an inhalant?
- Thiopental
- Desflurane
- Ketamine
- Propofol
Explanation: Answer reason: Desflurane is a volatile inhalational general anesthetic, whereas thiopental and propofol are IV induction agents, and ketamine is a parenteral dissociative anesthetic.
Tick the drug that is a 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor?
- Budesonide
- Sodium cromoglycate
- Zileuton
- Beclometasone
Explanation: Answer reason: Zileuton is the specific 5-lipoxygenase inhibitor that blocks leukotriene synthesis. Budesonide and beclometasone are corticosteroids, and sodium cromoglycate is a mast cell stabilizer.
Vasoconstrictors are less effective at prolonging the anesthetic properties of?
- Procaine
- Bupivacaine
- Lidocaine
- Mepivacaine
Explanation: Answer reason: Epinephrine prolongs local anesthetics mainly by decreasing systemic absorption; long-acting, highly protein-bound agents like bupivacaine already have a prolonged duration, so vasoconstrictors have little effect.
Which of the following agents is used to accelerate recovery from the sedative effects of intravenous benzodiazepines?
- Naloxone
- Flumazenil
- Ketamine
- Fomepizole
Explanation: Answer reason: Flumazenil is a benzodiazepine receptor antagonist that reverses benzodiazepine-induced sedation. Naloxone reverses opioid effects, ketamine is an anesthetic, and fomepizole treats methanol and ethylene glycol poisoning.
All of the following drugs stimulate bile production and bile secretion except?
- Chenodiol
- Cholenszyme
- Oxaphenamide
- Cholosas
Explanation: Answer reason: Chenodiol (chenodeoxycholic acid) is used to dissolve cholesterol gallstones by altering the bile composition, not by stimulating bile production or secretion. Cholenszyme, Oxaphenamide, and Cholosas are choleretic/cholagogue agents that increase bile flow.
All of the following statements regarding cardiac glycosides are true except?
- They inhibit the Na+/K+-ATPase and thereby increase intracellular Ca2+ in myocardial cells.
- They cause a decrease in vagal tone.
- Children tolerate higher doses of digitalis than adults do.
- The most frequent cause of digitalis intoxication is the concurrent administration of diuretics that deplete K+.
Explanation: Answer reason: Cardiac glycosides (e.g., digoxin) increase vagal tone, slowing AV nodal conduction. They inhibit Na+/K+-ATPase, leading to increased intracellular Ca2+. Children generally tolerate higher doses than adults, and hypokalemia from K+-depleting diuretics predisposes to toxicity.
Hypnotic benzodiazepines can cause?
- Dose-dependent increase in both REM and slow-wave sleep.
- Do not change sleep patterns.
- A dose-dependent decrease in both REM and slow-wave sleep.
- A Dose-dependent increase in REM sleep and decrease in slow-wave sleep
Explanation: Answer reason: Benzodiazepine hypnotics suppress REM and deep slow-wave (N3) sleep in a dose-dependent manner while increasing lighter stage 2 sleep; therefore, they decrease both REM and slow-wave sleep.
Characteristics of ephedrine include all of the following except?
- It acts primarily through the release of stored catecholamines.
- It is a mild CNS stimulant.
- It causes tachyphylaxis with repeated administration.
- It decreases arterial pressure.
Explanation: Answer reason: Ephedrine is a mixed-acting sympathomimetic that releases stored norepinephrine and has direct alpha and beta effects, producing increased arterial pressure. It is a mild CNS stimulant and shows tachyphylaxis after repeated doses. Therefore, decreasing arterial pressure is not characteristic.
What is amoxicillin used to treat?
- Bacterial infection
- Stomach
- Skin infection
- Meningitis
Explanation: Answer reason: Amoxicillin is a penicillin-class antibiotic active against susceptible bacteria; it is used to treat bacterial infections, not general stomach issues, and the other choices are either nonspecific or not a standard indication.
Conjugation of a drug includes the following, except?
- Glucuronidation
- Sulfate formation
- Hydrolysis
- Methylation
Explanation: Answer reason: Drug conjugation (phase II metabolism) includes glucuronidation, sulfation, and methylation. Hydrolysis is a phase I reaction and is not a conjugation pathway.
Indicate an alpha-receptor antagonist that binds covalently to alpha receptors, causing an irreversible blockade of long duration (14-48 hours or longer)?
- Phentolamine
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Ergotamine
- Prazosin
Explanation: Answer reason: Phenoxybenzamine is a nonselective alpha-adrenergic antagonist that forms a covalent bond with receptors, producing an irreversible, long-lasting blockade. Phentolamine and prazosin are reversible antagonists; ergotamine is an ergot alkaloid with partial agonist activity.
The drug for partial and generalized tonic-clonic seizures is?
- Carbamazepine
- Valproate
- Phenytoin
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Carbamazepine and phenytoin are effective for focal (partial) and generalized tonic–clonic seizures, and valproate is broad-spectrum, covering generalized tonic–clonic and focal seizures; therefore, all the listed drugs apply.
The sugar molecules in the structure of glycosides influence?
- Cardiotonic action.
- Pharmacokinetic properties
- Toxic properties
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: In cardiac glycosides, the aglycone (steroid and lactone) determines cardiotonic activity and inherent toxicity, while the attached sugar moieties modify solubility, absorption, distribution, and elimination—i.e., pharmacokinetics.
Diuresis can prevent the renal toxicity associated with?
- Cisplatin
- Chlorambucil
- Tamoxifen
- Gemcitabine
Explanation: Answer reason: Cisplatin's dose-limiting adverse effect is nephrotoxicity, which is reduced by vigorous IV hydration and diuresis (e.g., mannitol). The other agents' renal effects are not prevented by diuresis.
The most serious toxic reaction to local anesthetics is?
- Seizures
- Cardiovascular collapse
- Respiratory failure
- All of the above.
Explanation: Answer reason: Local anesthetic systemic toxicity can present with CNS excitation leading to seizures, followed by respiratory arrest and cardiovascular collapse; all are life-threatening. Thus, all listed reactions are serious toxic effects.
Which of the following antiseizure drugs is a prodrug metabolized to phenobarbital?
- Phenytoin
- Primidone
- Felbamate
- Vigabatrin
Explanation: Answer reason: Primidone is converted into phenobarbital and PEMA; the others are not metabolized into phenobarbital.
Which of the following agents is a known teratogen in humans?
- Vitamin A
- Vancomycin
- Oral contraceptives
- Ampicillin
- Metronidazole
Explanation: Answer reason: Excess vitamin A and retinoids are proven human teratogens, causing craniofacial, cardiac, and CNS defects. The other listed agents are not established human teratogens when used appropriately.
Ticarcillin + clavulanic acid is available on the market by brand?
- Zosyn
- Augmentin
- Amoxyll
- Timentin
Explanation: Answer reason: Timentin is the brand name for ticarcillin with clavulanic acid. Zosyn is piperacillin/tazobactam and Augmentin is amoxicillin/clavulanate.
The dominant initial signs of acute cholinesterase inhibitor intoxication include all of the following except?
- Salivation and sweating
- Mydriasis
- Bronchial constriction
- Vomiting and diarrhea
Explanation: Answer reason: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitor toxicity causes cholinergic excess with muscarinic signs: salivation, sweating, bronchoconstriction, vomiting and diarrhea, and miosis. Mydriasis is not expected; therefore, it is the exception.
Atropine is highly selective for?
- M1 receptor subtype
- M2 receptor subtype
- M3 receptor subtype
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Atropine is a nonselective competitive antagonist at muscarinic receptors and therefore binds the M1, M2, and M3 subtypes with similar affinity. Among the given choices, "All of the above" best reflects this.
Patients complain of dry or "sandy" eyes when receiving large doses of?
- Atropine
- Hexamethonium
- Pilocarpine
- Carbachol
Explanation: Answer reason: Atropine is an antimuscarinic that inhibits lacrimal gland secretion, leading to dry, "sandy" eyes. Pilocarpine and carbachol are muscarinic agonists that increase tearing. Hexamethonium is a ganglionic blocker, but this effect is classically associated with atropine.
Which of the following drugs is useful in the treatment of uterine spasms?
- Carbachol
- Vecuronium
- Atropine
- Edrophonium
Explanation: Answer reason: Atropine is an antimuscarinic that relaxes smooth muscle and relieves spasms. Carbachol and edrophonium increase cholinergic activity and can worsen spasms; vecuronium acts at the neuromuscular junction of skeletal muscle, not uterine smooth muscle.
Ephedrine causes?
- Miosis
- Bronchodilation
- Hypotension
- Bradycardia
Explanation: Answer reason: Ephedrine is a mixed-acting sympathomimetic that stimulates beta-adrenergic receptors, including beta-2 receptors in bronchial smooth muscle, causing bronchodilation. It typically produces mydriasis, hypertension, and tachycardia rather than miosis, hypotension, or bradycardia.
Which of the following hypnotic agents is a positive allosteric modulator of GABAA receptor function?
- Zaleplon
- Flurazepam
- Zolpidem
- All of the above
Explanation: Answer reason: Zaleplon and Zolpidem (Z-drugs) and the benzodiazepine flurazepam all act as positive allosteric modulators at the GABAA receptor benzodiazepine site, enhancing GABA-mediated chloride influx and producing hypnosis.
For digitalis-induced arrhythmias, the following drug is favored?
- Verapamil
- Amiodarone
- Lidocaine
- Propranolol
Explanation: Answer reason: Lidocaine is effective for ventricular arrhythmias caused by digoxin toxicity; verapamil and beta blockers can worsen AV block, and amiodarone can increase digoxin levels.
All of the following drugs demonstrate a fungicidal effect, except?
- Terbinafine
- Amphotericin B
- Ketoconazole
- Miconazole
Explanation: Answer reason: Amphotericin B and terbinafine are fungicidal, whereas azoles such as ketoconazole are primarily fungistatic. Therefore, ketoconazole is the exception.
All of the aminoglycosides are given parenterally except?
- Amikacin
- Neomycin
- Tobramycin
- Gentamicin
Explanation: Answer reason: Neomycin is used orally and topically and is not systemically absorbed; other aminoglycosides, like amikacin, tobramycin, and gentamicin, are administered parenterally due to poor GI absorption and toxicity.
Glycosides are found in many?
- Vitamins
- Drugs
- Minerals
- Nucleoproteins
Explanation: Answer reason: Glycosides are sugar-linked compounds that commonly occur as active constituents of many plant-derived drugs, such as cardiac glycosides.
Characteristics of alpha-receptor antagonists include all of the following except?
- They cause a decrease in peripheral resistance and blood pressure.
- They cause epinephrine reversal (converting a pressor response into a depressor response).
- Bronchospasm
- They may cause postural hypotension and reflex tachycardia.
Explanation: Answer reason: Alpha-receptor antagonists cause vasodilation with decreased peripheral resistance and blood pressure, can produce epinephrine reversal, and may lead to postural hypotension with reflex tachycardia. Bronchospasm is associated with beta-2 blockade, not alpha blockade.
Indicate a tricyclic or a heterocyclic antidepressant having the greatest antimuscarinic effects?
- Desipramine
- Amitriptyline
- Trazodone
- Mirtazapine
Explanation: Answer reason: Among the antidepressants listed, amitriptyline (a tertiary amine TCA) exhibits the strongest antimuscarinic/anticholinergic effects; desipramine has less, and trazodone and mirtazapine have minimal anticholinergic activity.
Indicate the inhaled anesthetic that causes airway irritation?
- Nitrous oxide
- Sevoflurane
- Halothane
- Desflurane
Explanation: Answer reason: Desflurane is pungent and irritates the airway, leading to coughing, breath-holding, and laryngospasm; nitrous oxide, sevoflurane, and halothane are nonpungent and better tolerated for mask induction.
All of the following groups of drugs are used for the treatment of thrombosis EXCEPT?
- Anticoagulant drugs
- Antifibrinolytic drugs
- Fibrinolytic drugs
- Antiplatelet drugs
Explanation: Answer reason: Antifibrinolytics inhibit fibrin breakdown and stabilize clots; they are used to control bleeding rather than to treat thrombosis. Anticoagulants, antiplatelets, and fibrinolytics are used in thrombosis management.
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