Pharmacology basics is an important topic for nurses, as medications have a great power to both help and to harm patients. The basic principles of pharmacology, pharmacokinetic processes including absorption, distribution, metabolism and excretion, as well as several drug classes and some of the commonly seen drugs within those classes are discussed.
1. Pharmacokinetics is the branch of pharmacology that:
a. deals with determining the movement (kinetics) of drugs into andout of the body
b. explains how drugs are manufactured
c. addresses only the risks and benefits of medication
d. answers b and c above
2. Controlled medications are divided into __________ schedules based on their potential for abuse and physical and psychological dependence.
a. 3
b. 4
c. 5
d. 7
3. A medication will have a generic name and one or more trade names. The generic name:
a. usually signifies the medication’s chemical derivation
b. may either be determined by the company that first developed the drug, or a by the U.S. Adopted Name Council
c. are written beginning with a lower case (small) letter
d. All of the above
4. True or False. Anticoagulants are a class of drugs commonly used to prevent the blood from forming dangerous clots.
a. True
b. False
5. True or False. Neostigmine and bethanechol are examples of cholinergic blockers.
a. True
b. False
6. True or False. Long-acting anticholinergics are used to treat stable Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) in a person whose symptoms come and go (intermittent symptoms) whereas short-acting anticholinergics are effective and convenient to prevent and treat COPD in a person whose symptoms do not go away.
a. True.
b. False
7. Antineoplastics prevent or inhibit the maturation and proliferation of neoplasms. This classification is further divided into all of the following except:
a. alkylating agents
b. antimetabolites
c. steroid agents
d. antibiotic agents
8. In the fasting state, most orally-administered drugs reach a maximum or “peak” blood concentration within ________ to _______ hours.
a. one to two
b. two to three
c. three to four
d. six to twelve
9. Cardiac glycosides represent a family of compounds that are derived from the _________ plant.
a. hemp
b. foxglove
c. cannibus
d. thymu
10. “Reliever medications” is a classification of medications used for temporary breathless, and is further subdivided into all EXCEPT:
a. anticholinergics
b. a/b – adrenergic agonists
c. b – adrenergic agonists
d. b – adrenergic antagonist
11. b-Blockers are divided into two categories:
a. selective blockers
b. nonselective blockers
c. primary blockers
d. Both a and b above
12. Antipsychotics produce a wide variety of dystonias and extrapyramidal symptoms, such as ___________ a seriously disabling movement disorder that is often irreversible.
a. tardive dyskinesia
b. akathesia
c. muscular rigidity
d. None of the above.
13. H2-blockers work by _______________ the amount of acid produced by the stomach.
a. acting as proton pump inhibitors
b. decreasing
c. neutralizing
d. Both a and c above.
14. True or False. Antiviral agents tend to be narrow in spectrum, and have limited efficacy.
a. True
b. False
15. Loperamide is an
a. antihypertensive medication
b. andiarrheal medication
c. antiarrhythmic medication
d. anti-inflammatory medication
16. Bradykinesia is
a. slowness of movement
b. tetany
c. paralysis
d. tremoulous movement
17. Osmotic laxatives
a. soften stool.
b. enhance peristalsis and increase distention.
c. pull saline into the intestines.
d. reduce the surface tension of liquids within the bowel.
18. Atropine and scopolamine
a. inhibit the action of acetylcholine.
b. suppress all the actions of the parasympathetic nervous system.
c. are used therapeutically to diminish salivation.
d. All of the above.
19. A calcium channel blocker is a(n)
a. antihypertensive
b. bronchodilator
c. antacid
d. anti-inflammatory
20. Alpha-blockers work by keeping the hormone norepinephrine (noradrenaline) from
a. relaxing the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins.
b. tightening the muscles in the walls of smaller arteries and veins.
c. relaxing the muscles in the walls of larger arteries and veins.
d. tightening the muscles in the walls of larger arteries and veins.
21. True or False. Class II antiarrhythmic drugs slow down the rate of SA node discharge and conduction through the AV node.
a. True.
b. False
22. Corticosteroids can reduce the signs and symptoms of inflammatory conditions, such as arthritis and asthma, and
a. suppress the immune system.
b. are subdivided into groups of glucocorticoids and mineralcorticoids.
c. mimic the effects of hormones.
d. All of the above.
23. Antianginal drugs are divided into all EXCEPT
a. nitrates.
b. calcium channel blockers.
c. alpha-blockers.
d. beta-adrenergic blockers.
24. Diuretics work by making the kidneys
a. put more sodium into the urine.
b. remove sodium from the urine.
c. put more potassium into the urine.
d. All of the above.
25. Nadolol is an example of a(n)
a. Alpha blocker.
b. Beta blocker.
c. Calcium channel blocker.
d. Anticholinergic.
26. True or False. The family of liver isoenzymes known as cytochrome P-450 are crucial to drug metabolism.
a. True.
b. False
27. Neuromuscular blocking agents is a drug classification divided into:
a. depolarizing blockers.
b. nondepolarizing blockers.
c. Both a and b above.
d. None of the above.
28. Schedule I drugs have a
a. low potential for abuse.
b. high potential for abuse.
c. include tylenol with codeine.
d. All of the above.
29. Phenytoin is an example of a(n)
a. antidepressant
b. anticonvulsant
c. antipsychotic
d. antiemetic
30. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDS) work to
a. increase the production of prostaglandins.
b. decrease the production of prostaglandins.
c. increase inflammation, pain, and fever.
d. affect liver func
31. NSAIDs block
a. neuroreceptors
b. COX enzymes
c. acid production
d. coagulation
32. True or False. NSAIDs protect the stomach from ulcers in the stomach and intestines.
a. True.
b. False
33. Amyl nitrate and hydralazine are examples of
a. vasodilators
b. NSAIDs
c. loop diuretics
d. neuroleptics
34. GABA _______ the activity of nerves in the brain
a. increases.
b. reduces.
c. has no effect on.
d. None of the above.
35. Antihistamines come in different forms, including
a. tablets/capsules.
b. liquid form.
c. nasal sprays/eye drops.
d. All of the above.
36. True or False. Alpha-blockers can help improve urine flow in older men with prostate problems.
a. True.
b. False
37. Cyclosporine and azathioprine are examples of
a. antibiotic medication.
b. immunosuppressant medication.
c. pain medication.
d. antihypertensive medication
38. Thyroid supplements increase
a. metabolism.
b. cardiac output.
c. oxygen consumption.
d. All of the above
39. Neostigmine and bethanechol are examples of
a. anticholinergics
b. analgesics
c. antihypertensives
d. antipsychotics
40. Isoniazid is an example of an
a. Antibiotic
b. NSAID
c. antitubercular
d. antipsychotic
41. Adverse reactions of barbiturates can include
a. drowsiness
b. blood dyscrasias
c. Stevens-Johnson syndrome
d. All of the above
42. Nonselective beta blockers
a. lower blood pressure.
b. increase heart rate.
c. increase blood pressure.
d. Both b and c above.
43. Peripherally acting antiadrenergics inhibit the release of norepinephrine thus decreasing
a. sympathetic vasodilation.
b. sympathetic vasoconstriction.
c. autonomic response.
d. Both a and c above.
44. Some antacid combinations also contain simethicone, which may relieve symptoms of
a. hyperacidity.
b. inflammation.
c. excess gas.
d. diarrhea.
45. Class 4 antidysrhythmics
a. increases SA node discharge.
b. decreases SA node discharge.
c. increases calcium movement across the cell.
d. Both a and c above.
46. Glyburide is an example of a(n)
a. antidiabetic medication.
b. antidiuretic medication.
c. antihypertensive.
d. thyroid suppleme
47. Sertraline, amitriptylyline and bupropion are examples of
a. antipsychotic medication.
b. antidepressant medication.
c. sleeping medication.
d. pain medication.
48. Factors influencing drug metabolism include
a. genetics
b. environment
c. age
d. All of the above.
49. Codeine is an example of a schedule _______________________ drug.
a. I
b. II
c. III
d. IV
50. Systolic blood pressure of less than 90 mm HG, Wolff-ParkinsonWhite syndrome, and 2nd or 3rd degree heart block are all considered to be contraindications of
a. calcium channel blockers.
b. antipsychotics.
c. antidiuretics.
d. None of the above.
Correct Answers:
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- d
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- d
- d
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- c
- a
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- a
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- a
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- a
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- a
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