Mixed pharmacology quiz
20 questions from different drug classes.
20 questions. Choose an answer to see the rationale.
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Which drug treats an acute gout attack?
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Answer C: Colchicine Colchicine (or an NSAID or corticosteroid) treats acute flares; the others prevent future attacks.
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Which instruction is essential when taking psyllium?
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Answer D: Mix it with a full glass of water and drink right away Without enough fluid, bulk-forming laxatives can swell and cause choking or obstruction.
Nitroimidazoles (metronidazole)
Which change in urine color may occur with metronidazole?
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Answer B: Dark or reddish-brown Metronidazole can darken the urine; this is harmless.
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A patient has taken alprazolam daily for a year and wants to stop. What is the best advice?
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Answer D: Taper slowly under the provider's direction Abrupt withdrawal after long-term use can cause rebound anxiety, insomnia and seizures; a supervised taper is needed.
Statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors)
A patient taking a statin reports muscle pain and dark brown urine. What is the priority?
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Answer B: Hold the statin and notify the provider: possible rhabdomyolysis Muscle pain with dark urine suggests rhabdomyolysis, which can cause kidney failure. CK and kidney function must be checked.
Acid reducers (PPIs and H2 blockers)
Which suffix identifies a proton pump inhibitor?
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Answer C: -prazole Proton pump inhibitors end in -prazole (omeprazole, pantoprazole). H2 blockers end in -tidine.
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What is the maximum total duration of ketorolac therapy?
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Answer A: 5 days Ketorolac (all routes combined) is limited to 5 days because of the risk of GI bleeding and kidney injury.
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A patient received NPH insulin at 0700. At what time is hypoglycemia most likely?
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Answer A: Early to mid-afternoon NPH peaks about 4 to 12 hours after injection, so a morning dose peaks in the afternoon.
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What is the preferred parenteral route for promethazine?
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Answer A: Deep intramuscular Deep IM is preferred. Subcutaneous and intra-arterial injection are contraindicated because of severe tissue injury.
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Which adverse effect is the subject of a boxed warning for montelukast?
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Answer D: Neuropsychiatric events such as depression and suicidal thoughts Montelukast carries a boxed warning for serious neuropsychiatric events in children and adults.
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How should ciprofloxacin be timed with an antacid?
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Answer C: Take ciprofloxacin 2 hours before or 6 hours after the antacid Magnesium, aluminum and calcium bind ciprofloxacin and reduce absorption.
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Which nursing action helps prevent kidney injury during IV acyclovir therapy?
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Answer B: Ensure adequate hydration and infuse slowly Acyclovir can crystallize in the renal tubules; hydration and slow infusion reduce the risk.
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A patient started sertraline 10 days ago and says it is not working. What is the best response?
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Answer B: Full benefit usually takes several weeks; keep taking it as prescribed SSRIs often need 4 to 6 weeks for full effect. Monitor mood and suicide risk during this period.
Opioid analgesics and antagonists
Which adverse effect of opioids does not lessen with continued use?
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Answer D: Constipation Tolerance develops to most opioid effects but not to constipation, so a bowel regimen is needed for the whole course.
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A patient on clozapine reports a sore throat and fever. What is the priority?
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Answer B: Notify the provider and check the absolute neutrophil count Clozapine can cause severe neutropenia; signs of infection require an urgent ANC.
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A patient on a heparin infusion has a platelet count that dropped by more than 50% from baseline. What does the nurse suspect?
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Answer D: Heparin-induced thrombocytopenia A large platelet drop, typically 5 to 10 days after starting heparin, suggests heparin-induced thrombocytopenia, which paradoxically causes clotting.
Corticosteroids (glucocorticoids)
A patient has taken prednisone for 3 months. Why must it be tapered rather than stopped?
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Answer D: To prevent acute adrenal insufficiency Long-term steroids suppress the adrenal glands. Stopping suddenly can cause adrenal crisis: hypotension, weakness, hypoglycemia and shock.
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A patient using sublingual nitroglycerin still has chest pain 5 minutes after the first tablet. What should the patient do?
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Answer B: Call 911 Current guidance is to call 911 if chest pain is unimproved or worse 5 minutes after the first dose, then continue as directed by EMS.
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A patient taking rifampin is alarmed that their urine is orange. What should the nurse say?
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Answer A: This is an expected, harmless effect Rifampin colors urine, sweat and tears red-orange; it is harmless but can stain contact lenses.
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Which lab result best indicates vancomycin nephrotoxicity?
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Answer D: Rising serum creatinine A rising creatinine and falling urine output suggest kidney injury.
Quizzes by body system
- Cardiovascular pharmacology quiz27 questions on beta blockers, ACE inhibitors, angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs), calcium channel blockers, diuretics, cardiac glycosides (digoxin), nitrates, antiarrhythmics, statins (HMG-CoA reductase inhibitors).
- Blood and clotting pharmacology quiz6 questions on anticoagulants, antiplatelet drugs.
- Endocrine pharmacology quiz12 questions on insulins, oral and non-insulin antidiabetic drugs, thyroid and antithyroid drugs, corticosteroids (glucocorticoids).
- Respiratory pharmacology quiz6 questions on bronchodilators, asthma controller drugs.
- Mental health pharmacology quiz12 questions on antidepressants, mood stabilizers, antipsychotics, benzodiazepines.
- Neurology pharmacology quiz9 questions on anticonvulsants (antiepileptic drugs), antiparkinson drugs, alzheimer disease drugs.
- Pain pharmacology quiz6 questions on opioid analgesics and antagonists, NSAIDs and acetaminophen.
- Gastrointestinal pharmacology quiz9 questions on acid reducers (PPIs and H2 blockers), antiemetics, laxatives and bowel drugs.
- Anti-infectives pharmacology quiz33 questions on penicillins, cephalosporins, vancomycin (glycopeptides), aminoglycosides, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, nitroimidazoles (metronidazole), antitubercular drugs, antifungals, antivirals.
- Fluids and electrolytes pharmacology quiz3 questions on electrolyte replacements.
- Maternity pharmacology quiz3 questions on obstetric drugs.
- Bone and joint pharmacology quiz6 questions on gout drugs, bisphosphonates.
Frequently asked questions
How many questions are in the pharmacology quiz?
Each mixed quiz has 20 questions drawn at random from all drug classes. You can also study by body system or by drug class, with 3 questions per class.
Are these questions like the NCLEX?
They follow the NCLEX approach to pharmacology: safe administration, what to assess, adverse effects to report, patient teaching and priorities. For full-length practice by textbook chapter, use a pharmacology test bank.