PRN 1381 Pharmacology Final Exam
Questions and Answers
Which receptor type does atropine primarily block?
Answer: Muscarinic receptors.
Rationale: Atropine is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic receptors, reducing
parasympathetic activity.
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly displaces opioids from receptors, reversing respiratory
depression.
Which antibiotic class inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis?
Answer: Beta-lactams.
Rationale: Beta-lactams bind penicillin-binding proteins, preventing peptidoglycan cross-
linking.
Which drug is first-line for status epilepticus?
Answer: Lorazepam.
Rationale: Lorazepam enhances GABA activity, providing rapid seizure control.
Which diuretic is potassium-sparing?
Answer: Spironolactone.
Rationale: Spironolactone antagonizes aldosterone, reducing sodium reabsorption while
conserving potassium.
Which drug is used to treat malignant hyperthermia?
Answer: Dantrolene.
Rationale: Dantrolene inhibits calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, reducing
muscle contraction.
Which neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson’s disease?
Answer: Dopamine.
Rationale: Degeneration of substantia nigra neurons leads to dopamine deficiency and
motor symptoms.
Which anticoagulant requires monitoring with INR?
Answer: Warfarin.
Rationale: Warfarin inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, requiring INR
monitoring for safety.
Which drug is used for anaphylaxis?
Answer: Epinephrine.
, Rationale: Epinephrine stimulates alpha and beta receptors, reversing bronchospasm
and hypotension.
Which class of drugs lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase?
Answer: Statins.
Rationale: Statins block cholesterol synthesis, reducing LDL levels effectively.
Which drug is used to prevent organ transplant rejection?
Answer: Cyclosporine.
Rationale: Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin, suppressing T-cell activation.
Which class of drugs is contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenicity?
Answer: ACE inhibitors.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors disrupt fetal renal development, causing malformations.
Which drug is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil.
Rationale: Flumazenil competitively antagonizes benzodiazepine binding at GABA
receptors.
Which drug is used to treat tuberculosis as first-line therapy?
Answer: Isoniazid.
Rationale: Isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, essential for mycobacterial cell
walls.
Which drug is used for prophylaxis of malaria?
Answer: Chloroquine.
Rationale: Chloroquine accumulates in parasite food vacuoles, interfering with heme
detoxification.
Which drug is used to treat gout by inhibiting xanthine oxidase?
Answer: Allopurinol.
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production by blocking xanthine oxidase.
Which drug is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy?
Answer: Methyldopa.
Rationale: Methyldopa is safe in pregnancy and lowers blood pressure via central
alpha-2 agonism.
Which drug is used to treat angina by reducing myocardial oxygen demand?
Answer: Nitroglycerin.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes venodilation, reducing preload and cardiac workload.
Which drug is used to treat schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptors?
Answer: Haloperidol.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that antagonizes D2 receptors.
Questions and Answers
Which receptor type does atropine primarily block?
Answer: Muscarinic receptors.
Rationale: Atropine is a competitive antagonist at muscarinic receptors, reducing
parasympathetic activity.
What is the antidote for opioid overdose?
Answer: Naloxone.
Rationale: Naloxone rapidly displaces opioids from receptors, reversing respiratory
depression.
Which antibiotic class inhibits bacterial cell wall synthesis?
Answer: Beta-lactams.
Rationale: Beta-lactams bind penicillin-binding proteins, preventing peptidoglycan cross-
linking.
Which drug is first-line for status epilepticus?
Answer: Lorazepam.
Rationale: Lorazepam enhances GABA activity, providing rapid seizure control.
Which diuretic is potassium-sparing?
Answer: Spironolactone.
Rationale: Spironolactone antagonizes aldosterone, reducing sodium reabsorption while
conserving potassium.
Which drug is used to treat malignant hyperthermia?
Answer: Dantrolene.
Rationale: Dantrolene inhibits calcium release from sarcoplasmic reticulum, reducing
muscle contraction.
Which neurotransmitter is deficient in Parkinson’s disease?
Answer: Dopamine.
Rationale: Degeneration of substantia nigra neurons leads to dopamine deficiency and
motor symptoms.
Which anticoagulant requires monitoring with INR?
Answer: Warfarin.
Rationale: Warfarin inhibits vitamin K-dependent clotting factors, requiring INR
monitoring for safety.
Which drug is used for anaphylaxis?
Answer: Epinephrine.
, Rationale: Epinephrine stimulates alpha and beta receptors, reversing bronchospasm
and hypotension.
Which class of drugs lowers cholesterol by inhibiting HMG-CoA reductase?
Answer: Statins.
Rationale: Statins block cholesterol synthesis, reducing LDL levels effectively.
Which drug is used to prevent organ transplant rejection?
Answer: Cyclosporine.
Rationale: Cyclosporine inhibits calcineurin, suppressing T-cell activation.
Which class of drugs is contraindicated in pregnancy due to teratogenicity?
Answer: ACE inhibitors.
Rationale: ACE inhibitors disrupt fetal renal development, causing malformations.
Which drug is the antidote for benzodiazepine overdose?
Answer: Flumazenil.
Rationale: Flumazenil competitively antagonizes benzodiazepine binding at GABA
receptors.
Which drug is used to treat tuberculosis as first-line therapy?
Answer: Isoniazid.
Rationale: Isoniazid inhibits mycolic acid synthesis, essential for mycobacterial cell
walls.
Which drug is used for prophylaxis of malaria?
Answer: Chloroquine.
Rationale: Chloroquine accumulates in parasite food vacuoles, interfering with heme
detoxification.
Which drug is used to treat gout by inhibiting xanthine oxidase?
Answer: Allopurinol.
Rationale: Allopurinol reduces uric acid production by blocking xanthine oxidase.
Which drug is used to treat hypertension in pregnancy?
Answer: Methyldopa.
Rationale: Methyldopa is safe in pregnancy and lowers blood pressure via central
alpha-2 agonism.
Which drug is used to treat angina by reducing myocardial oxygen demand?
Answer: Nitroglycerin.
Rationale: Nitroglycerin causes venodilation, reducing preload and cardiac workload.
Which drug is used to treat schizophrenia by blocking dopamine receptors?
Answer: Haloperidol.
Rationale: Haloperidol is a typical antipsychotic that antagonizes D2 receptors.
