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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1.Easy

Why is HIV treated with a combination of antiretroviral drugs?

  1. ABecause each single drug cures only part of the infection
  2. BBecause one drug alone causes no side effects
  3. CTo make the treatment shorter, usually a few weeks
  4. DTo suppress the virus and prevent drug resistance
2.Easy

Which drug can be used in beta blocker overdose because it raises heart rate through a non-adrenergic pathway?

  1. AFlumazenil
  2. BGlucagon
  3. CInsulin
  4. DNaloxone
3.Easy

Why do nurses wear chemotherapy-tested gloves and gowns when handling cytotoxic drugs?

  1. ATo avoid exposure to drugs that may cause cancer or birth defects
  2. BBecause cytotoxic drugs are radioactive and give off radiation
  3. CTo protect the drug from light
  4. DTo keep the drugs warm during the infusion
4.Medium

Benzathine benzylpenicillin (penicillin G benzathine) is ordered. Which route is correct?

  1. AIntravenous infusion over 30 minutes
  2. BDeep intramuscular only
  3. CSubcutaneous in the abdomen
  4. DIntravenous push
5.Medium

Which statement about allopurinol is correct?

  1. AIt increases uric acid production to flush out crystals
  2. BIt lowers uric acid over time and does not relieve the pain of an acute attack
  3. CIt is taken only during an acute attack and stopped as soon as the pain settles
  4. DIt works within an hour to relieve joint pain
6.Medium

Why should doxycycline not be taken at the same time as milk or antacids?

  1. AThe combination causes severe constipation
  2. BAntacids turn it into a toxic compound
  3. CMilk speeds up its breakdown in the liver by inducing enzymes
  4. DCalcium and other metal ions bind it and reduce absorption
7.Hard

During an IV glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin) infusion for chest pain, the patient's blood pressure drops to 82/50 mmHg and he feels faint. What is the nurse's first action?

  1. AStop or reduce the infusion as per protocol, lay the patient flat and notify the prescriber
  2. BSit the patient fully upright and give paracetamol for the headache
  3. CGive a sublingual nitroglycerin tablet and increase the rate to relieve the remaining chest pain
  4. DIncrease the infusion rate to improve blood flow to the heart
8.Hard

Zero-order elimination, as seen with alcohol at normal intake, means that:

  1. AA constant amount is eliminated per unit of time
  2. BElimination stops at high concentrations
  3. CA constant fraction is eliminated per unit of time
  4. DThe half-life stays constant whatever the level

Answer key

  1. 1. D · To suppress the virus and prevent drug resistance
  2. 2. B · Glucagon
  3. 3. A · To avoid exposure to drugs that may cause cancer or birth defects
  4. 4. B · Deep intramuscular only
  5. 5. B · It lowers uric acid over time and does not relieve the pain of an acute attack
  6. 6. D · Calcium and other metal ions bind it and reduce absorption
  7. 7. A · Stop or reduce the infusion as per protocol, lay the patient flat and notify the prescriber
  8. 8. A · A constant amount is eliminated per unit of time

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