Pharmacology worksheet with answers

Sumatriptan is used mainly to:

1. ARelieve nerve pain from diabetes
2. BTreat high blood pressure
3. CTreat an acute migraine attack
4. DPrevent epileptic seizures

Fibrates such as fenofibrate mainly lower which blood lipid?

1. AHDL cholesterol
2. BLipoprotein(a) only
3. CTriglycerides
4. DBile acids

What is a "high-alert medication"?

1. AAny drug that is given by the intravenous or intramuscular route
2. BA new drug during its first year on the market
3. CA drug that is expensive and must be kept in a locked cupboard
4. DA drug that causes more serious harm when used in error

Why should long-term oral corticosteroids not be stopped suddenly?

1. AThe immune system would immediately attack the liver and adrenal glands
2. BStopping causes a sudden rise in blood glucose
3. CThe adrenal glands are suppressed and may not make enough cortisol
4. DThe drug forms toxic metabolites when stopped

How does metformin mainly lower blood glucose?

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

Why is simvastatin traditionally taken in the evening?

1. AIt causes too much drowsiness to be taken in the morning
2. BIt is short-acting, and cholesterol synthesis peaks at night
3. CIt must be taken with the largest meal of the day
4. DIt is inactivated by sunlight during the day

A noradrenaline infusion is running through a peripheral cannula. The skin around the site becomes pale, cold and hard. What should the nurse do?

1. AIncrease the rate to improve blood flow to the area
2. BLeave the infusion running and recheck in 4 hours
3. CStop the infusion at that site and follow the extravasation protocol
4. DApply heat and massage the area, then continue the infusion

The thalidomide disaster of the late 1950s and early 1960s is best known for which effect, and what did it lead to?

1. ASevere limb defects in babies; stricter drug testing and regulation
2. BLiver failure in adults; the ban of all sedatives
3. CDeafness in children; the end of animal testing
4. DHeart attacks in older adults; the start of generic medicines