RN Pharmacology A Relias Exam Questions
and answers with verified Answers (Latest
Update 2026) UPDATE!!
Question 1:
Drugs that PREVENT or block a physiological response are called:
A) Agonists
B) Antagonists
C) Partial agonists
D) Inverse agonists
Answer: B) Antagonists
Rationale: Antagonists are drugs that bind to receptors and prevent or block a physiological
response . Agonists stimulate a response. Beta-blockers (suffix "-olol") are a common class of
antagonists that block beta-adrenergic receptors. Antagonists are also called "adrenergic
blockers" and should be used cautiously in asthma clients due to risk of bronchospasm .
Question 2:
Therapeutic window is defined as:
A) The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated
B) The level of drug between minimal effective concentration and minimal toxic concentration
C) The percentage of drug that reaches systemic circulation
D) The route by which a drug is administered
Answer: B) The level of drug between minimal effective concentration and minimal toxic
concentration
Rationale: The therapeutic window is the range of drug plasma concentrations between the
minimum effective concentration (MEC) needed for therapeutic effect and the minimum toxic
concentration (MTC) where adverse effects occur . Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g.,
lithium, digoxin, phenytoin) require close monitoring and frequent serum level checks.
Question 3:
The time it takes for one half of the drug concentration to be eliminated from the body is called:
,A) Bioavailability
B) Onset of action
C) Half-life
D) Duration of action
Answer: C) Half-life
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to be reduced by
50% . Drugs with short half-lives are eliminated quickly and require more frequent dosing. Drugs
with long half-lives require less frequent dosing but take longer to reach steady state.
Question 4:
What is the primary risk for a patient taking two highly protein-bound drugs concurrently?
A) Decreased efficacy of both drugs
B) Accumulation and toxicity
C) Increased renal excretion
D) Reduced absorption
Answer: B) Accumulation and toxicity
Rationale: When two highly protein-bound drugs are taken together, they compete for binding
sites on plasma proteins. This can displace one drug, increasing the free (active) concentration
of the displaced drug, leading to accumulation and potential toxicity . Patients on warfarin and
other protein-bound drugs are at particular risk.
Question 5:
A decreased responsiveness to a drug over the course of therapy, requiring increased dosages
to achieve the same effect, is called:
A) Dependence
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Withdrawal
Answer: C) Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when a patient experiences a decreased responsiveness to a drug
over time, requiring increased dosages to attain the same therapeutic effect . Tolerance is a
common concern with opioids, benzodiazepines, and other medications used long-term. It
,differs from dependence (physiological adaptation) and addiction (compulsive use despite
harm).
SECTION 2: DRUG CLASSES & RECEPTOR PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6:
Beta-blockers commonly end with which suffix?
A) "-pril"
B) "-olol"
C) "-pam"
D) "-cillin"
Answer: B) "-olol"
Rationale: Beta-blockers commonly end with the suffix "-olol" (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol,
propranolol) . They are antagonists that block beta-adrenergic receptors and are commonly
used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure. They produce a "rest and digest" effect
with decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure.
Question 7:
Signs and symptoms of antagonist (beta-blocker) effects include:
A) Increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, bronchodilation
B) Decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, "rest and digest"
C) Flushing, sweating, nausea, abdominal cramping
D) Tachycardia, hypertension, agitation
Answer: B) Decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, "rest and digest"
Rationale: Antagonists (beta-blockers) produce effects associated with decreased sympathetic
nervous system activity: decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, and a "rest and digest" state .
They are contraindicated in asthma patients due to the risk of bronchospasm. Agonists produce
"fight or flight" effects with increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, and bronchodilation.
Question 8:
Sildenafil (Viagra) is contraindicated in patients taking which medication?
, A) Aspirin
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Metformin
D) Warfarin
Answer: B) Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Sildenafil (Viagra) and nitroglycerin both cause vasodilation. Concurrent use can lead
to severe hypotension and life-threatening cardiovascular collapse . Patients should be
counseled to avoid nitrates while taking sildenafil or other phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.
Question 9:
What medication is considered a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A) Montelukast
B) Albuterol
C) Fluticasone
D) Theophylline
Answer: A) Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast (Singulair) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used as a maintenance
medication for asthma . It works by blocking leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators in
the airways. It is not a rescue medication and should not be used for acute asthma attacks.
Question 10:
What medication is considered a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Spironolactone
D) Bumetanide
Answer: C) Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic . It works by blocking
aldosterone, reducing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. It is used in heart failure
and hypertension. Patients on spironolactone should be monitored for hyperkalemia.
and answers with verified Answers (Latest
Update 2026) UPDATE!!
Question 1:
Drugs that PREVENT or block a physiological response are called:
A) Agonists
B) Antagonists
C) Partial agonists
D) Inverse agonists
Answer: B) Antagonists
Rationale: Antagonists are drugs that bind to receptors and prevent or block a physiological
response . Agonists stimulate a response. Beta-blockers (suffix "-olol") are a common class of
antagonists that block beta-adrenergic receptors. Antagonists are also called "adrenergic
blockers" and should be used cautiously in asthma clients due to risk of bronchospasm .
Question 2:
Therapeutic window is defined as:
A) The time it takes for half of the drug to be eliminated
B) The level of drug between minimal effective concentration and minimal toxic concentration
C) The percentage of drug that reaches systemic circulation
D) The route by which a drug is administered
Answer: B) The level of drug between minimal effective concentration and minimal toxic
concentration
Rationale: The therapeutic window is the range of drug plasma concentrations between the
minimum effective concentration (MEC) needed for therapeutic effect and the minimum toxic
concentration (MTC) where adverse effects occur . Drugs with a narrow therapeutic index (e.g.,
lithium, digoxin, phenytoin) require close monitoring and frequent serum level checks.
Question 3:
The time it takes for one half of the drug concentration to be eliminated from the body is called:
,A) Bioavailability
B) Onset of action
C) Half-life
D) Duration of action
Answer: C) Half-life
Rationale: Half-life is the time required for the plasma concentration of a drug to be reduced by
50% . Drugs with short half-lives are eliminated quickly and require more frequent dosing. Drugs
with long half-lives require less frequent dosing but take longer to reach steady state.
Question 4:
What is the primary risk for a patient taking two highly protein-bound drugs concurrently?
A) Decreased efficacy of both drugs
B) Accumulation and toxicity
C) Increased renal excretion
D) Reduced absorption
Answer: B) Accumulation and toxicity
Rationale: When two highly protein-bound drugs are taken together, they compete for binding
sites on plasma proteins. This can displace one drug, increasing the free (active) concentration
of the displaced drug, leading to accumulation and potential toxicity . Patients on warfarin and
other protein-bound drugs are at particular risk.
Question 5:
A decreased responsiveness to a drug over the course of therapy, requiring increased dosages
to achieve the same effect, is called:
A) Dependence
B) Addiction
C) Tolerance
D) Withdrawal
Answer: C) Tolerance
Rationale: Tolerance occurs when a patient experiences a decreased responsiveness to a drug
over time, requiring increased dosages to attain the same therapeutic effect . Tolerance is a
common concern with opioids, benzodiazepines, and other medications used long-term. It
,differs from dependence (physiological adaptation) and addiction (compulsive use despite
harm).
SECTION 2: DRUG CLASSES & RECEPTOR PHARMACOLOGY
Question 6:
Beta-blockers commonly end with which suffix?
A) "-pril"
B) "-olol"
C) "-pam"
D) "-cillin"
Answer: B) "-olol"
Rationale: Beta-blockers commonly end with the suffix "-olol" (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol,
propranolol) . They are antagonists that block beta-adrenergic receptors and are commonly
used to treat hypertension, angina, and heart failure. They produce a "rest and digest" effect
with decreased heart rate and decreased blood pressure.
Question 7:
Signs and symptoms of antagonist (beta-blocker) effects include:
A) Increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, bronchodilation
B) Decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, "rest and digest"
C) Flushing, sweating, nausea, abdominal cramping
D) Tachycardia, hypertension, agitation
Answer: B) Decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, "rest and digest"
Rationale: Antagonists (beta-blockers) produce effects associated with decreased sympathetic
nervous system activity: decreased heart rate, bronchospasm, and a "rest and digest" state .
They are contraindicated in asthma patients due to the risk of bronchospasm. Agonists produce
"fight or flight" effects with increased heart rate, vasoconstriction, and bronchodilation.
Question 8:
Sildenafil (Viagra) is contraindicated in patients taking which medication?
, A) Aspirin
B) Nitroglycerin
C) Metformin
D) Warfarin
Answer: B) Nitroglycerin
Rationale: Sildenafil (Viagra) and nitroglycerin both cause vasodilation. Concurrent use can lead
to severe hypotension and life-threatening cardiovascular collapse . Patients should be
counseled to avoid nitrates while taking sildenafil or other phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors.
Question 9:
What medication is considered a leukotriene receptor antagonist?
A) Montelukast
B) Albuterol
C) Fluticasone
D) Theophylline
Answer: A) Montelukast
Rationale: Montelukast (Singulair) is a leukotriene receptor antagonist used as a maintenance
medication for asthma . It works by blocking leukotrienes, which are inflammatory mediators in
the airways. It is not a rescue medication and should not be used for acute asthma attacks.
Question 10:
What medication is considered a potassium-sparing diuretic?
A) Furosemide
B) Hydrochlorothiazide
C) Spironolactone
D) Bumetanide
Answer: C) Spironolactone
Rationale: Spironolactone (Aldactone) is a potassium-sparing diuretic . It works by blocking
aldosterone, reducing sodium reabsorption and potassium excretion. It is used in heart failure
and hypertension. Patients on spironolactone should be monitored for hyperkalemia.
