Pain Management Pharmacology –
Complete Test Bank & Verified
Rationales
2025/2026
1. Which drug is considered a weak opioid?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Codeine
D. Hydromorphone
Answer: C. Codeine
Rationale: Codeine is classified as a weak opioid used for mild to
moderate pain.
2. Which opioid has the highest potency?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Oxycodone
D. Hydrocodone
Answer: B. Fentanyl
Rationale: Fentanyl is significantly more potent than other
commonly used opioids.
3. Which medication is the first-line treatment for mild pain?
A. Morphine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Methadone
, D. Hydromorphone
Answer: B. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is recommended as first-line therapy
for mild pain.
4. Which NSAID has the highest risk for gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Celecoxib
B. Aspirin
C. Ibuprofen
D. Naproxen
Answer: B. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation,
increasing GI bleeding risk.
5. What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs?
A. Increase serotonin
B. Block calcium channels
C. Inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
D. Activate opioid receptors
Answer: C. Inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
Rationale: NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting
COX enzymes.
6. Which opioid is commonly used in cancer-related pain?
A. Tramadol
B. Morphine
C. Codeine
D. Buprenorphine
Answer: B. Morphine
Rationale: Morphine is the gold standard for severe cancer-
related pain.
, 7. What is a common adverse effect of opioid therapy?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Constipation
Rationale: Opioids decrease GI motility, leading to constipation.
8. Which drug is an opioid antagonist?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Fentanyl
D. Hydrocodone
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects by blocking opioid
receptors.
9. Which medication is best for neuropathic pain?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Gabapentin
D. Morphine
Answer: C. Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is effective for neuropathic pain
syndromes.
10. What is the primary effect of lidocaine patches?
A. Central sedation
B. Sodium channel blockade
C. Calcium channel activation
D. Dopamine inhibition
Answer: B. Sodium channel blockade
Complete Test Bank & Verified
Rationales
2025/2026
1. Which drug is considered a weak opioid?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Codeine
D. Hydromorphone
Answer: C. Codeine
Rationale: Codeine is classified as a weak opioid used for mild to
moderate pain.
2. Which opioid has the highest potency?
A. Morphine
B. Fentanyl
C. Oxycodone
D. Hydrocodone
Answer: B. Fentanyl
Rationale: Fentanyl is significantly more potent than other
commonly used opioids.
3. Which medication is the first-line treatment for mild pain?
A. Morphine
B. Acetaminophen
C. Methadone
, D. Hydromorphone
Answer: B. Acetaminophen
Rationale: Acetaminophen is recommended as first-line therapy
for mild pain.
4. Which NSAID has the highest risk for gastrointestinal bleeding?
A. Celecoxib
B. Aspirin
C. Ibuprofen
D. Naproxen
Answer: B. Aspirin
Rationale: Aspirin irreversibly inhibits platelet aggregation,
increasing GI bleeding risk.
5. What is the mechanism of action of NSAIDs?
A. Increase serotonin
B. Block calcium channels
C. Inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
D. Activate opioid receptors
Answer: C. Inhibit cyclooxygenase (COX)
Rationale: NSAIDs reduce prostaglandin synthesis by inhibiting
COX enzymes.
6. Which opioid is commonly used in cancer-related pain?
A. Tramadol
B. Morphine
C. Codeine
D. Buprenorphine
Answer: B. Morphine
Rationale: Morphine is the gold standard for severe cancer-
related pain.
, 7. What is a common adverse effect of opioid therapy?
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. Tachycardia
D. Hypertension
Answer: B. Constipation
Rationale: Opioids decrease GI motility, leading to constipation.
8. Which drug is an opioid antagonist?
A. Naloxone
B. Methadone
C. Fentanyl
D. Hydrocodone
Answer: A. Naloxone
Rationale: Naloxone reverses opioid effects by blocking opioid
receptors.
9. Which medication is best for neuropathic pain?
A. Acetaminophen
B. Ibuprofen
C. Gabapentin
D. Morphine
Answer: C. Gabapentin
Rationale: Gabapentin is effective for neuropathic pain
syndromes.
10. What is the primary effect of lidocaine patches?
A. Central sedation
B. Sodium channel blockade
C. Calcium channel activation
D. Dopamine inhibition
Answer: B. Sodium channel blockade
