NCMA Pharmacology UPDATED ACTUAL
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Which of the following is associated with the use of aspirin products? - CORRECT
ANSWER -The cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown, but has been linked to aspirin.
Reye's Syndrome commonly occurs in children as they recover from a recent viral illness
Cystic fibrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -is an inherited disorder of the lungs and digestive
system;
meningitis - CORRECT ANSWER -is a bacterial or viral disorder of the spinal fluid;
fifth disease - CORRECT ANSWER -is caused by parvovirus B19.
The patient lost her bottle of medication, but found one pill in the bottom of her purse. Which of
the following references would allow the medical assistant to determine what kind of medication
it is by looking at the pill? - CORRECT ANSWER -PDR
The PDR, or Physician's Desk Reference, provides information about medications, their
functions, contraindications, etc. The PDR contains colored pictures of thousands of drugs. The
medical assistant would be able to look up the picture of the pill found in the patient's purse to
determine if it is the correct pill the patient should be taking.
A material safety data sheet (MSDS) - CORRECT ANSWER -provides information about
how to safely manage chemicals and prevent injuries.
The Poison Control Center - CORRECT ANSWER -gives information about how to avoid
exposure to poisonous substances and how to treat exposure that does occur.
The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) - CORRECT ANSWER -is
a system of healthcare codes put in place to ensure insurance claims are handled correctly. Since
,this system works with insurance and healthcare codes, this would not help the medical assistant
determine what type of medication was found in the patient's purse.
The patient is prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor). Which of the following side effects is likely to
occur if too much of the medication is taken? - CORRECT ANSWER -hypotension
Commonly prescribed for hypertension. An overdose can lead to Hypotension and even cardiac
failure.
Gastroesophageal reflux - CORRECT ANSWER -is the backward flow of the contents of
the stomach into the esophagus that is due to malfunctioning of a sphincter at the lower end of
the esophagus and results especially in heartburn.
Polydipsia - CORRECT ANSWER -is excessive or abnormal thirst.
Anuria - CORRECT ANSWER -is the absence or defective excretion of urine.
the medical assistant is obtaining a patient's current medication history. Which of the following
products has the potential to cause a drug-herb interaction and is important to include on the
medication list? - CORRECT ANSWER -St. John's wort
Herbal products may lead to complications if taken with other medications. Although FDA
regulation of herbal products is improving, patients hesitate to discuss these or may view them
more as dietary supplements. Ex. St. John's Wort is a common herbal remedy used for mild
depression and interacts with a large number of medications.
Echinacea - CORRECT ANSWER -(believed to stimulate immune system, cold
prevention) may cause liver toxicity when combined with other liver toxic drugs such as
Methotrexate.
A medication with ototoxic side effects may cause which of the following conditions? -
CORRECT ANSWER -tinnitus
, Medicines that damage the ear and cause hearing loss are known as ototoxic medicines. Hearing
loss caused by an ototoxic medicine tends to develop quickly. The first symptoms usually are
ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and vertigo.
Swimmer's ear - CORRECT ANSWER -(otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of
the ear canal when water or small debris irritates the skin in the ear canal.
Excessive moisture in the auditiory canal and cerument impaction can happen without having
taken medication.
Which pregnancy risk drug category indicates the greatest risk of fetal harm? - CORRECT
ANSWER -X
Medications are categorized to indicate risk of harm to fetus if taken during pregnancy or to
nursing mothers.
A system of classifying drugs according to their established risks for use during pregnancy
includes the following:
Category A: Controlled human studies have demonstrated no fetal risk.
Category B: Animal studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies; or adverse effects in
animals, but not in well—controlled human studies.
Category C: No adequate human or animal studies; or adverse fetal effects in animal studies, but
no available human data.
Category D: Evidence of fetal risk, but benefits out-weigh risks.
Category X: Evidence of fetal risk. It is thought that risks may outweigh any benefits.
Exam Questions and CORRECT Answers
Which of the following is associated with the use of aspirin products? - CORRECT
ANSWER -The cause of Reye's syndrome is unknown, but has been linked to aspirin.
Reye's Syndrome commonly occurs in children as they recover from a recent viral illness
Cystic fibrosis - CORRECT ANSWER -is an inherited disorder of the lungs and digestive
system;
meningitis - CORRECT ANSWER -is a bacterial or viral disorder of the spinal fluid;
fifth disease - CORRECT ANSWER -is caused by parvovirus B19.
The patient lost her bottle of medication, but found one pill in the bottom of her purse. Which of
the following references would allow the medical assistant to determine what kind of medication
it is by looking at the pill? - CORRECT ANSWER -PDR
The PDR, or Physician's Desk Reference, provides information about medications, their
functions, contraindications, etc. The PDR contains colored pictures of thousands of drugs. The
medical assistant would be able to look up the picture of the pill found in the patient's purse to
determine if it is the correct pill the patient should be taking.
A material safety data sheet (MSDS) - CORRECT ANSWER -provides information about
how to safely manage chemicals and prevent injuries.
The Poison Control Center - CORRECT ANSWER -gives information about how to avoid
exposure to poisonous substances and how to treat exposure that does occur.
The Healthcare Common Procedure Coding System (HCPCS) - CORRECT ANSWER -is
a system of healthcare codes put in place to ensure insurance claims are handled correctly. Since
,this system works with insurance and healthcare codes, this would not help the medical assistant
determine what type of medication was found in the patient's purse.
The patient is prescribed metoprolol (Lopressor). Which of the following side effects is likely to
occur if too much of the medication is taken? - CORRECT ANSWER -hypotension
Commonly prescribed for hypertension. An overdose can lead to Hypotension and even cardiac
failure.
Gastroesophageal reflux - CORRECT ANSWER -is the backward flow of the contents of
the stomach into the esophagus that is due to malfunctioning of a sphincter at the lower end of
the esophagus and results especially in heartburn.
Polydipsia - CORRECT ANSWER -is excessive or abnormal thirst.
Anuria - CORRECT ANSWER -is the absence or defective excretion of urine.
the medical assistant is obtaining a patient's current medication history. Which of the following
products has the potential to cause a drug-herb interaction and is important to include on the
medication list? - CORRECT ANSWER -St. John's wort
Herbal products may lead to complications if taken with other medications. Although FDA
regulation of herbal products is improving, patients hesitate to discuss these or may view them
more as dietary supplements. Ex. St. John's Wort is a common herbal remedy used for mild
depression and interacts with a large number of medications.
Echinacea - CORRECT ANSWER -(believed to stimulate immune system, cold
prevention) may cause liver toxicity when combined with other liver toxic drugs such as
Methotrexate.
A medication with ototoxic side effects may cause which of the following conditions? -
CORRECT ANSWER -tinnitus
, Medicines that damage the ear and cause hearing loss are known as ototoxic medicines. Hearing
loss caused by an ototoxic medicine tends to develop quickly. The first symptoms usually are
ringing in the ears (tinnitus) and vertigo.
Swimmer's ear - CORRECT ANSWER -(otitis externa) is an inflammation or infection of
the ear canal when water or small debris irritates the skin in the ear canal.
Excessive moisture in the auditiory canal and cerument impaction can happen without having
taken medication.
Which pregnancy risk drug category indicates the greatest risk of fetal harm? - CORRECT
ANSWER -X
Medications are categorized to indicate risk of harm to fetus if taken during pregnancy or to
nursing mothers.
A system of classifying drugs according to their established risks for use during pregnancy
includes the following:
Category A: Controlled human studies have demonstrated no fetal risk.
Category B: Animal studies indicate no fetal risk, but no human studies; or adverse effects in
animals, but not in well—controlled human studies.
Category C: No adequate human or animal studies; or adverse fetal effects in animal studies, but
no available human data.
Category D: Evidence of fetal risk, but benefits out-weigh risks.
Category X: Evidence of fetal risk. It is thought that risks may outweigh any benefits.
