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

What is a "broad-spectrum" antibiotic?

  1. AOne that is taken for a long time at low dose to prevent any infection
  2. BOne that also treats viral and fungal infections
  3. COne that acts against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
  4. DOne that is given only intravenously in hospital
2.Easy

Why are corticosteroids such as betamethasone given to a woman at risk of preterm birth?

  1. ATo stop contractions completely
  2. BTo prevent infection in the mother
  3. CTo lower the mother's blood glucose
  4. DTo speed up fetal lung maturity
3.Easy

Giving a patient immunoglobulin after exposure to an infection provides which type of immunity?

  1. AInnate immunity
  2. BActive immunity
  3. CPassive immunity
  4. DHerd immunity
4.Medium

How is adenosine given for supraventricular tachycardia?

  1. AAs an intramuscular injection into the outer thigh muscle
  2. BAs a slow infusion over one hour
  3. CAs a rapid IV push followed by a fast saline flush
  4. DAs a tablet under the tongue
5.Medium

How long does it take, approximately, for a drug given at regular intervals to reach a steady state?

  1. A1 half-life
  2. B4 to 5 half-lives
  3. C10 half-lives
  4. DIt depends only on the dose size
6.Medium

A patient receiving chemotherapy has a very low neutrophil count and is going home. Which teaching is most important?

  1. AReport a temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher straight away
  2. BTake paracetamol regularly so that fevers do not show
  3. CExercise in crowded gyms to build strength
  4. DEat plenty of raw shellfish to boost protein
7.Hard

A patient with severe liver cirrhosis takes oral propranolol, a drug with a high first-pass metabolism. What effect is expected?

  1. ALess drug is absorbed from the gut, so a higher dose is needed
  2. BThe drug is excreted faster by the kidney, so it works for a shorter time
  3. CThe first-pass effect increases, so the drug becomes inactive
  4. DMore drug reaches the circulation, so a lower dose may be needed
8.Hard

Which statement about raloxifene for postmenopausal osteoporosis is correct?

  1. AIt has no effect on the risk of blood clots
  2. BIt is a bisphosphonate taken weekly with water
  3. CIt acts like oestrogen on bone but blocks oestrogen in the breast, and raises clot risk
  4. DIt acts like oestrogen in all tissues, including the breast, and relieves hot flushes

Answer key

  1. 1. C · One that acts against many Gram-positive and Gram-negative bacteria
  2. 2. D · To speed up fetal lung maturity
  3. 3. C · Passive immunity
  4. 4. C · As a rapid IV push followed by a fast saline flush
  5. 5. B · 4 to 5 half-lives
  6. 6. A · Report a temperature of 38 °C (100.4 °F) or higher straight away
  7. 7. D · More drug reaches the circulation, so a lower dose may be needed
  8. 8. C · It acts like oestrogen on bone but blocks oestrogen in the breast, and raises clot risk

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