Pharmacology worksheet with answers

Free printable Pharmacology worksheet: 8 problems from easy to exam level, with an answer key. Print it or save it as a PDF.

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Name: ____________________   Date: ____________

1.Easy

With patient-controlled analgesia (PCA), who should press the button to give a dose?

  1. AA family member when the patient is asleep
  2. BOnly the patient
  3. CThe nursing assistant at set times
  4. DAny visitor who thinks the patient is in pain
2.Easy

Tamoxifen is used mainly to treat:

  1. AOsteoarthritis
  2. BType 2 diabetes
  3. COestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
  4. DProstate enlargement and prostate cancer in older men
3.Easy

In which clinical trial phase is a new drug usually first given to humans, often healthy volunteers?

  1. APhase IV
  2. BPhase I
  3. CPhase III
  4. DPhase II
4.Medium

A patient with diabetes is sweaty and shaky. Blood glucose is 3.0 mmol/L (54 mg/dL). The patient is awake and can swallow. What should the nurse do first?

  1. AGive 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice
  2. BGive intramuscular glucagon at once
  3. CGive the next scheduled dose of insulin
  4. DGive a large meal high in fat and protein to keep glucose up for longer
5.Medium

A patient refuses a prescribed oral medicine. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARecord the medicine as given, so that the chart stays complete for the next shift
  2. BHide the tablet in the patient's food
  3. CExplore the reason, respect the decision, document and inform the prescriber
  4. DLeave the tablet on the bedside table for later
6.Medium

During a rapid infusion of vancomycin, a patient develops flushing and a red rash on the face, neck and upper body. What is the most likely cause and action?

  1. AAn infusion reaction; stop or slow the infusion and inform the prescriber
  2. BAcute kidney failure; stop all IV fluids and antibiotics at once
  3. CA sign that the infection is spreading; give a second dose
  4. DA normal effect; increase the infusion rate to finish sooner
7.Hard

A patient with Parkinson's disease has nausea. Why should metoclopramide be avoided?

  1. AIt increases dopamine levels in the brain too much and causes psychosis
  2. BIt inhibits the absorption of all oral drugs
  3. CIt blocks dopamine receptors in the brain and can worsen the parkinsonism
  4. DIt causes severe diarrhoea in Parkinson's disease
8.Hard

Combining several drugs that prolong the QT interval raises the risk of which life-threatening arrhythmia?

  1. AAtrial fibrillation
  2. BTorsades de pointes
  3. CSinus tachycardia
  4. DFirst-degree heart block

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Only the patient
  2. 2. C · Oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer
  3. 3. B · Phase I
  4. 4. A · Give 15–20 g of fast-acting carbohydrate, such as juice
  5. 5. C · Explore the reason, respect the decision, document and inform the prescriber
  6. 6. A · An infusion reaction; stop or slow the infusion and inform the prescriber
  7. 7. C · It blocks dopamine receptors in the brain and can worsen the parkinsonism
  8. 8. B · Torsades de pointes

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