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

How does tamsulosin improve urine flow in benign prostatic hyperplasia?

  1. AIt increases urine production in the kidney
  2. BIt contracts the bladder muscle
  3. CIt blocks alpha-1 receptors and relaxes prostate smooth muscle
  4. DIt shrinks the prostate gland over months by blocking testosterone
2.Easy

Which of these is an extrapyramidal side effect of antipsychotics?

  1. AAkathisia (a feeling of inner restlessness)
  2. BWeight gain
  3. CAgranulocytosis (a very low neutrophil count)
  4. DDry mouth
3.Easy

Why is low-dose aspirin given to some people with heart disease?

  1. ATo relieve chest pain immediately
  2. BTo lower blood cholesterol levels and stabilise plaques
  3. CTo slow the heart rate
  4. DTo reduce platelet aggregation and prevent clots
4.Medium

After instilling eye drops, why should the patient press gently on the inner corner of the eye for a minute or two?

  1. ATo stop the eye from producing tears for about an hour
  2. BTo make the pupil dilate faster
  3. CTo spread the drop evenly over the eyelid
  4. DTo reduce drainage into the nose and absorption into blood
5.Medium

How does metformin mainly lower blood glucose?

  1. AIt reduces glucose production by the liver
  2. BIt blocks glucose absorption in the kidney
  3. CIt stimulates insulin release from the pancreas
  4. DIt replaces missing insulin
6.Medium

Why are many drugs started at lower doses in older adults?

  1. AOlder adults absorb no drugs from the stomach
  2. BOlder adults always weigh more than younger adults, so drugs last longer
  3. CKidney and liver clearance often decline, and sensitivity to drugs increases
  4. DLower doses are cheaper for older patients
7.Hard

Probenecid has been used to raise plasma penicillin levels. How does it do this?

  1. AIt inhibits the liver metabolism of penicillin
  2. BIt blocks the tubular secretion of penicillin in the kidney
  3. CIt displaces penicillin from plasma proteins
  4. DIt increases the absorption of penicillin from the small intestine
8.Hard

A patient has an anaphylactic reaction to the first dose of amoxicillin. How is this adverse reaction classified in the common A/B system?

  1. AType B, because it occurs only after long-term use
  2. BType A, because it is dose-related and predictable from the drug's pharmacology
  3. CType B, because it is unpredictable and unrelated to the drug's normal action
  4. DType A, because the dose was too high

Answer key

  1. 1. C · It blocks alpha-1 receptors and relaxes prostate smooth muscle
  2. 2. A · Akathisia (a feeling of inner restlessness)
  3. 3. D · To reduce platelet aggregation and prevent clots
  4. 4. D · To reduce drainage into the nose and absorption into blood
  5. 5. A · It reduces glucose production by the liver
  6. 6. C · Kidney and liver clearance often decline, and sensitivity to drugs increases
  7. 7. B · It blocks the tubular secretion of penicillin in the kidney
  8. 8. C · Type B, because it is unpredictable and unrelated to the drug's normal action

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