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

What is a placebo?

  1. AA drug that is given at half the normal dose to reduce side effects in trials
  2. BAn inactive treatment that can still produce effects through expectation
  3. CA drug that is only active in the placebo group
  4. DA new drug that has not been approved yet
2.Easy

Oxytocin is used in obstetrics mainly to:

  1. AInduce or strengthen contractions and prevent postpartum bleeding
  2. BLower blood pressure in pre-eclampsia
  3. CMature the fetal lungs before birth
  4. DStop preterm labour by relaxing the uterine muscle
3.Easy

Where should an adrenaline (epinephrine) auto-injector be given?

  1. AInto a vein in the arm
  2. BUnder the tongue
  3. CInto the outer thigh muscle
  4. DInto the abdomen under the skin
4.Medium

What is the most important adverse effect of sulfonylureas such as gliclazide?

  1. AHyperkalaemia
  2. BHypoglycaemia
  3. CDry cough
  4. DLactic acidosis
5.Medium

A patient takes regular paracetamol (acetaminophen) at home. Which teaching point best prevents accidental overdose?

  1. ATake an extra dose if the first one does not work within 10 minutes
  2. BTake paracetamol with alcohol to improve absorption
  3. CUse paracetamol only on an empty stomach
  4. DCheck cold and flu remedies, as many also contain paracetamol
6.Medium

Digoxin 0.25 mg is ordered. The tablets available are 0.125 mg. How many tablets should be given?

  1. A0.5 tablet
  2. B2 tablets
  3. C1 tablet
  4. D4 tablets
7.Hard

Which antiepileptic drug carries the highest well-known risk of neural tube defects and developmental problems when taken in pregnancy?

  1. ALamotrigine
  2. BGabapentin
  3. CLevetiracetam
  4. DSodium valproate
8.Hard

A patient with myasthenia gravis took extra pyridostigmine doses. She now has increasing weakness, heavy salivation, sweating, small pupils and diarrhoea. What is the most likely cause?

  1. AMyasthenic crisis from too little anticholinesterase drug
  2. BA stroke unrelated to the medication
  3. CCholinergic crisis from too much anticholinesterase drug
  4. DAn allergic reaction to pyridostigmine

Answer key

  1. 1. B · An inactive treatment that can still produce effects through expectation
  2. 2. A · Induce or strengthen contractions and prevent postpartum bleeding
  3. 3. C · Into the outer thigh muscle
  4. 4. B · Hypoglycaemia
  5. 5. D · Check cold and flu remedies, as many also contain paracetamol
  6. 6. B · 2 tablets
  7. 7. D · Sodium valproate
  8. 8. C · Cholinergic crisis from too much anticholinesterase drug

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