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

Which of these drugs has a narrow therapeutic index?

  1. ALoratadine
  2. BLithium
  3. COmeprazole
  4. DAmoxicillin
2.Easy

How is pernicious anaemia usually treated?

  1. AWith blood transfusions every month
  2. BWith folic acid alone
  3. CWith oral iron tablets for three months, then stopping
  4. DWith vitamin B12 injections, usually for life
3.Easy

How does activated charcoal work in poisoning?

  1. AIt binds (adsorbs) the poison in the gut so less is absorbed
  2. BIt neutralises acids in the blood
  3. CIt makes the patient vomit the poison before it is absorbed
  4. DIt speeds up liver metabolism of the poison
4.Medium

After naloxone reverses an opioid overdose, why must the patient be watched closely?

  1. ANaloxone itself causes respiratory depression at high doses
  2. BNaloxone makes the opioid stay longer in the body
  3. CNaloxone may wear off before the opioid does, so breathing can slow again
  4. DNaloxone often causes severe low blood glucose a few hours after the dose
5.Medium

Which group of effects would the nurse expect after a dose of an anticholinergic drug such as atropine?

  1. ADiarrhoea, frequent urination and sweating
  2. BBronchial secretions, wheeze and tearing of the eyes
  3. CHeavy salivation, slow heart rate and small pupils
  4. DDry mouth, faster heart rate and dilated pupils
6.Medium

A prescriber gives a verbal medication order in an emergency. What should the nurse do?

  1. ARemember it and write it in the chart at the end of the shift
  2. BGive the drug without recording the order
  3. CWrite it down and read it back to the prescriber to confirm
  4. DAsk another nurse to remember the order
7.Hard

For a drug with first-order elimination, doubling the dose (without changing the interval) will:

  1. ADouble the steady-state level but not change the time to reach steady state
  2. BDouble the half-life
  3. CLeave the steady-state level unchanged but halve the time needed to reach it
  4. DHalve the time to reach steady state
8.Hard

Before starting rituximab, patients are tested for hepatitis B. Why?

  1. ARituximab can reactivate hepatitis B and cause liver failure
  2. BHepatitis B infection makes rituximab completely ineffective
  3. CRituximab is a vaccine against hepatitis B
  4. DRituximab is made from the hepatitis B virus

Answer key

  1. 1. B · Lithium
  2. 2. D · With vitamin B12 injections, usually for life
  3. 3. A · It binds (adsorbs) the poison in the gut so less is absorbed
  4. 4. C · Naloxone may wear off before the opioid does, so breathing can slow again
  5. 5. D · Dry mouth, faster heart rate and dilated pupils
  6. 6. C · Write it down and read it back to the prescriber to confirm
  7. 7. A · Double the steady-state level but not change the time to reach steady state
  8. 8. A · Rituximab can reactivate hepatitis B and cause liver failure

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