, 2025 PHARMACOTHERAPEUTICS TEST BANK
& STUDY GUIDE: ARCANGELO & PETERSON
📘 Verified | Detailed Rationales | 1,120 Questions | Designed for Guaranteed Clinical
Competency
Table of Contents
1. Issues for the Practitioner in Drug Therapy
2. Pharmacokinetic Basis of Therapeutics and Pharmacodynamic Principles
3. Impact of Drug Interactions and Adverse Events on Therapeutics
4. Principles of Pharmacotherapy in Pediatrics, Pregnancy and Lactation
5. Pharmacotherapy Principles in Older Adults
6. Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy
7. Pharmacogenomics
8. The Economics of Pharmacotherapeutics
9. Principles of Pharmacology in Pain Management
10. Pain Management in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Patients
11. Cannabis and Pain Management
12. Dermatitis
13. Bacterial, Fungal, and Viral Infections of the Skin
14. Psoriasis
15. Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea
16. Ophthalmic Disorders
17. Otitis Media and Otitis Externa
18. Hypertension
19. Hyperlipidemia
,20. Chronic Stable Angina and Myocardial Infarction
21. Heart Failure
22. Arrhythmias
23. Respiratory Infections
24. Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
25. Gastric, Functional and Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
26. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Peptic Ulcer Disease
27. Liver Diseases
28. Urinary Tract Infection
29. Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction
30. Overactive Bladder
31. Sexually Transmitted Infections
32. Osteoarthritis and Gout
33. Osteoporosis
34. Rheumatoid Arthritis
35. Headaches
36. Seizure Disorders
37. Alzheimer’s Disease
38. Parkinson Disease
39. Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorders
40. Anxiety Disorders
41. Sleep Disorders
42. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
43. Substance Use Disorders
44. Diabetes Mellitus
45. Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders
46. Allergies and Allergic Reactions
,47. Human Immunodeficiency Virus
48. Organ Transplantation
49. Pharmacotherapy for Select Thromboembolic Disorders
50. Anemias
51. Immunizations
52. Smoking Cessation
53. Weight Loss
54. Contraception
55. Menopause
56. Vaginitis
, An NP in State X reviews her scope of practice regulations
before prescribing. Which action demonstrates compliance?
A. Prescribing Schedule II opioids without a collaborating
physician’s signature
B. Ordering controlled substances using her own DEA
number
C. Delegating her prescribing authority to a physician
assistant
D. Writing prescriptions for herself and family members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: APPs with DEA registration may prescribe
controlled substances under state law. (A) often requires
physician collaboration in many states; (C) is not permitted;
(D) violates professional boundaries.
A physician assistant must consider which factor first when
determining if a medication is within their legal scope?
A. Drug’s cost to the patient
B. State regulatory statutes
C. Formulary restrictions of insurance
D. Patient preference for brand versus generic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Legal scope is defined by state law; cost (A),
formulary (C), and preference (D) are clinical considerations
but secondary.
, An APP encounters conflicting state and federal regulations
on opioid prescribing. The best first step is to:
A. Follow federal law, which is stricter
B. Adhere to whichever standard is stricter
C. Consult the state board for clarification
D. Continue current practice until audited
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clarifying with the state board ensures
compliance; blindly following (A/B) may miss nuances; (D)
risks noncompliance.
Which scenario reflects ethical prescribing?
A. Prescribing an expensive brand‐name drug when a
cheaper generic is equivalent
B. Accepting a pharmaceutical rep’s gift in exchange for
prescribing their drug
C. Choosing therapy based on best evidence to maximize
patient benefit
D. Refusing to prescribe unless the patient pays a consulting
fee
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ethics require evidence‐based, patient-centered
choice; (A) wastes resources; (B) is conflict of interest; (D) is
coercive.
An APP reviews a new trial showing improved outcomes
with Drug X. To apply evidence-based prescribing, they
should first:
,A. Switch all patients to Drug X immediately
B. Critically appraise the study’s methodology
C. Ask the pharma rep for detailed drug samples
D. Rely on drug labeling alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical appraisal is step one; (A) is premature; (C)
is biased; (D) insufficiently evidence-driven.
A 70-year-old patient on five medications presents with
confusion. The APP suspects polypharmacy. Which is the
best initial action?
A. Discontinue the newest medication first
B. Conduct a comprehensive medication review
C. Add a medication to counteract side effects
D. Switch all drugs to once-daily dosing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A medication review identifies unnecessary drugs;
(A) arbitrary; (C) increases polypharmacy; (D) may not
address issues.
To improve adherence in a low-health-literacy patient, the
APP should:
A. Provide the prescription and trust self-management
B. Use “teach-back” to confirm understanding
C. Give only verbal instructions
D. Rely on written discharge summaries
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Teach-back verifies comprehension; (A/D)
insufficient alone; (C) may be misunderstood.
Which shared decision-making step ensures the patient’s
values guide therapy?
A. Listing all possible side effects
B. Offering treatment options and discussing pros/cons
C. Deciding the regimen unilaterally based on best evidence
D. Having the patient sign consent after prescribing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing options integrates patient values; (A) is
info only; (C) excludes patient; (D) is administrative.
An APP identifies a drug’s black-box warning. The most
appropriate action is to:
A. Continue prescribing but monitor labs
B. Inform the patient of risks and consider alternatives
C. Disregard it if insurance covers the drug
D. Prescribe a lower dose without documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient must know severe risks and alternatives;
(A) incomplete; (C/D) unethical.
A patient cannot afford a brand-name medication.
Ethically, the APP should:
A. Ignore cost and prescribe the brand
B. Switch to an equally effective generic
C. Delay treatment until affordability improves
D. Provide leftovers from another patient
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generics ensure access; (A/C) harm adherence;
(D) violates standards.
Which factor increases risk of adverse polypharmacy?
A. Single daily dosing schedules
B. Multiple providers prescribing without coordination
C. Use of fixed‐dose combination products
D. Implementation of electronic prescribing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncoordinated prescribing raises risk; (A/C/D) can
improve adherence or coordination.
An APP plans to prescribe warfarin. To enhance patient
safety, they should:
A. Skip baseline INR and start warfarin immediately
B. Check baseline INR and genotype if available
C. Advise patient to avoid all vegetables
D. Rely solely on dosing nomograms without labs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline monitoring guides safe dosing; (A/D)
unsafe; (C) overrestrictive.
When encountering a clinical trial funded by Pharma Y, the
APP should:
A. Assume results are unbiased
B. Review funding source and potential bias
C. Accept marketed claims only
D. Exclude the trial from evidence review
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Funding can introduce bias; (A/C) uncritical; (D)
discards valid data.
An APP uses motivational interviewing to improve med
adherence by:
A. Telling the patient exactly what to do
B. Exploring patient ambivalence and readiness
C. Threatening consequences for nonadherence
D. Ignoring patient concerns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MI fosters internal motivation; (A/C/D) are
coercive or dismissive.
A Spanish-speaking patient’s family member interprets.
Best practice is to:
A. Continue via family member
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Write instructions in English
D. Speak slower in English
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certified interpreters ensure accuracy; (A/C/D)
risk miscommunication.
Which principle best addresses cultural competence in
prescribing?
A. Applying a one-size-fits-all treatment
B. Ignoring traditional remedies
C. Assessing beliefs about illness and treatments
& STUDY GUIDE: ARCANGELO & PETERSON
📘 Verified | Detailed Rationales | 1,120 Questions | Designed for Guaranteed Clinical
Competency
Table of Contents
1. Issues for the Practitioner in Drug Therapy
2. Pharmacokinetic Basis of Therapeutics and Pharmacodynamic Principles
3. Impact of Drug Interactions and Adverse Events on Therapeutics
4. Principles of Pharmacotherapy in Pediatrics, Pregnancy and Lactation
5. Pharmacotherapy Principles in Older Adults
6. Principles of Antimicrobial Therapy
7. Pharmacogenomics
8. The Economics of Pharmacotherapeutics
9. Principles of Pharmacology in Pain Management
10. Pain Management in Opioid Use Disorder (OUD) Patients
11. Cannabis and Pain Management
12. Dermatitis
13. Bacterial, Fungal, and Viral Infections of the Skin
14. Psoriasis
15. Acne Vulgaris and Rosacea
16. Ophthalmic Disorders
17. Otitis Media and Otitis Externa
18. Hypertension
19. Hyperlipidemia
,20. Chronic Stable Angina and Myocardial Infarction
21. Heart Failure
22. Arrhythmias
23. Respiratory Infections
24. Asthma and Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
25. Gastric, Functional and Inflammatory Bowel Disorders
26. Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease and Peptic Ulcer Disease
27. Liver Diseases
28. Urinary Tract Infection
29. Prostatic Disorders and Erectile Dysfunction
30. Overactive Bladder
31. Sexually Transmitted Infections
32. Osteoarthritis and Gout
33. Osteoporosis
34. Rheumatoid Arthritis
35. Headaches
36. Seizure Disorders
37. Alzheimer’s Disease
38. Parkinson Disease
39. Major Depressive Disorder and Bipolar Disorders
40. Anxiety Disorders
41. Sleep Disorders
42. Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
43. Substance Use Disorders
44. Diabetes Mellitus
45. Thyroid and Parathyroid Disorders
46. Allergies and Allergic Reactions
,47. Human Immunodeficiency Virus
48. Organ Transplantation
49. Pharmacotherapy for Select Thromboembolic Disorders
50. Anemias
51. Immunizations
52. Smoking Cessation
53. Weight Loss
54. Contraception
55. Menopause
56. Vaginitis
, An NP in State X reviews her scope of practice regulations
before prescribing. Which action demonstrates compliance?
A. Prescribing Schedule II opioids without a collaborating
physician’s signature
B. Ordering controlled substances using her own DEA
number
C. Delegating her prescribing authority to a physician
assistant
D. Writing prescriptions for herself and family members
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: APPs with DEA registration may prescribe
controlled substances under state law. (A) often requires
physician collaboration in many states; (C) is not permitted;
(D) violates professional boundaries.
A physician assistant must consider which factor first when
determining if a medication is within their legal scope?
A. Drug’s cost to the patient
B. State regulatory statutes
C. Formulary restrictions of insurance
D. Patient preference for brand versus generic
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Legal scope is defined by state law; cost (A),
formulary (C), and preference (D) are clinical considerations
but secondary.
, An APP encounters conflicting state and federal regulations
on opioid prescribing. The best first step is to:
A. Follow federal law, which is stricter
B. Adhere to whichever standard is stricter
C. Consult the state board for clarification
D. Continue current practice until audited
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Clarifying with the state board ensures
compliance; blindly following (A/B) may miss nuances; (D)
risks noncompliance.
Which scenario reflects ethical prescribing?
A. Prescribing an expensive brand‐name drug when a
cheaper generic is equivalent
B. Accepting a pharmaceutical rep’s gift in exchange for
prescribing their drug
C. Choosing therapy based on best evidence to maximize
patient benefit
D. Refusing to prescribe unless the patient pays a consulting
fee
Correct Answer: C
Rationale: Ethics require evidence‐based, patient-centered
choice; (A) wastes resources; (B) is conflict of interest; (D) is
coercive.
An APP reviews a new trial showing improved outcomes
with Drug X. To apply evidence-based prescribing, they
should first:
,A. Switch all patients to Drug X immediately
B. Critically appraise the study’s methodology
C. Ask the pharma rep for detailed drug samples
D. Rely on drug labeling alone
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Critical appraisal is step one; (A) is premature; (C)
is biased; (D) insufficiently evidence-driven.
A 70-year-old patient on five medications presents with
confusion. The APP suspects polypharmacy. Which is the
best initial action?
A. Discontinue the newest medication first
B. Conduct a comprehensive medication review
C. Add a medication to counteract side effects
D. Switch all drugs to once-daily dosing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: A medication review identifies unnecessary drugs;
(A) arbitrary; (C) increases polypharmacy; (D) may not
address issues.
To improve adherence in a low-health-literacy patient, the
APP should:
A. Provide the prescription and trust self-management
B. Use “teach-back” to confirm understanding
C. Give only verbal instructions
D. Rely on written discharge summaries
Correct Answer: B
,Rationale: Teach-back verifies comprehension; (A/D)
insufficient alone; (C) may be misunderstood.
Which shared decision-making step ensures the patient’s
values guide therapy?
A. Listing all possible side effects
B. Offering treatment options and discussing pros/cons
C. Deciding the regimen unilaterally based on best evidence
D. Having the patient sign consent after prescribing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Discussing options integrates patient values; (A) is
info only; (C) excludes patient; (D) is administrative.
An APP identifies a drug’s black-box warning. The most
appropriate action is to:
A. Continue prescribing but monitor labs
B. Inform the patient of risks and consider alternatives
C. Disregard it if insurance covers the drug
D. Prescribe a lower dose without documentation
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Patient must know severe risks and alternatives;
(A) incomplete; (C/D) unethical.
A patient cannot afford a brand-name medication.
Ethically, the APP should:
A. Ignore cost and prescribe the brand
B. Switch to an equally effective generic
C. Delay treatment until affordability improves
D. Provide leftovers from another patient
,Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Generics ensure access; (A/C) harm adherence;
(D) violates standards.
Which factor increases risk of adverse polypharmacy?
A. Single daily dosing schedules
B. Multiple providers prescribing without coordination
C. Use of fixed‐dose combination products
D. Implementation of electronic prescribing
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Uncoordinated prescribing raises risk; (A/C/D) can
improve adherence or coordination.
An APP plans to prescribe warfarin. To enhance patient
safety, they should:
A. Skip baseline INR and start warfarin immediately
B. Check baseline INR and genotype if available
C. Advise patient to avoid all vegetables
D. Rely solely on dosing nomograms without labs
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Baseline monitoring guides safe dosing; (A/D)
unsafe; (C) overrestrictive.
When encountering a clinical trial funded by Pharma Y, the
APP should:
A. Assume results are unbiased
B. Review funding source and potential bias
C. Accept marketed claims only
D. Exclude the trial from evidence review
, Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Funding can introduce bias; (A/C) uncritical; (D)
discards valid data.
An APP uses motivational interviewing to improve med
adherence by:
A. Telling the patient exactly what to do
B. Exploring patient ambivalence and readiness
C. Threatening consequences for nonadherence
D. Ignoring patient concerns
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: MI fosters internal motivation; (A/C/D) are
coercive or dismissive.
A Spanish-speaking patient’s family member interprets.
Best practice is to:
A. Continue via family member
B. Use a professional medical interpreter
C. Write instructions in English
D. Speak slower in English
Correct Answer: B
Rationale: Certified interpreters ensure accuracy; (A/C/D)
risk miscommunication.
Which principle best addresses cultural competence in
prescribing?
A. Applying a one-size-fits-all treatment
B. Ignoring traditional remedies
C. Assessing beliefs about illness and treatments
