1. Which of the following medications is classified as a proton pump inhibitor
(PPI)?
A) Ranitidine
B) Omeprazole
C) Famotidine
D) Sucralfate
Answer: B) Omeprazole
Rationale:
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works by inhibiting the enzyme
system responsible for gastric acid secretion. It is used for conditions like
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers. Ranitidine, famotidine,
and sucralfate are not PPIs but belong to different classes like H2 antagonists and
mucosal protectants.
2. A patient is prescribed lorazepam for anxiety. What is the primary action of
lorazepam?
A) It increases dopamine levels in the brain.
B) It blocks serotonin receptors.
C) It enhances the effects of GABA.
D) It inhibits norepinephrine uptake.
Answer: C) It enhances the effects of GABA.
Rationale:
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor. This results in sedative,
anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle-relaxant properties. It does not increase
dopamine, block serotonin receptors, or inhibit norepinephrine uptake.
3. Which medication is used to treat an opioid overdose?
A) Naloxone
B) Flumazenil
,C) Atropine
D) Digoxin
Answer: A) Naloxone
Rationale:
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opioid overdose by
binding to opioid receptors in the brain and displacing the opioids. Flumazenil is
used for benzodiazepine overdose, atropine for bradycardia, and digoxin for heart
failure and arrhythmias.
4. A patient is receiving a loop diuretic (furosemide) for heart failure. What is
the most important electrolyte to monitor during therapy?
A) Calcium
B) Sodium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the urine.
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) is a common side effect, which can lead to
life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium levels is essential in patients
receiving loop diuretics.
5. A patient is prescribed a beta-blocker for hypertension. Which of the
following is the most common side effect of beta-blockers?
A) Tachycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Weight gain
D) Insomnia
Answer: B) Hypotension
, Rationale:
Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol and atenolol, are commonly used to treat
hypertension. One of the most common side effects is hypotension (low blood
pressure), which results from the medication’s effect of reducing heart rate and
the force of contraction. Tachycardia, weight gain, and insomnia are not typical
side effects.
6. Which medication would be most appropriate for a patient experiencing an
acute asthma attack?
A) Fluticasone
B) Montelukast
C) Albuterol
D) Salmeterol
Answer: C) Albuterol
Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides rapid relief of
bronchospasm during an acute asthma attack. It works by relaxing the smooth
muscles in the airways. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid, montelukast is a
leukotriene receptor antagonist, and salmeterol is a long-acting beta-agonist,
none of which are appropriate for immediate relief of acute symptoms.
7. A patient is prescribed warfarin for the prevention of thromboembolic events.
Which laboratory test is most important to monitor?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Serum glucose
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The prothrombin
(PPI)?
A) Ranitidine
B) Omeprazole
C) Famotidine
D) Sucralfate
Answer: B) Omeprazole
Rationale:
Omeprazole is a proton pump inhibitor that works by inhibiting the enzyme
system responsible for gastric acid secretion. It is used for conditions like
gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and peptic ulcers. Ranitidine, famotidine,
and sucralfate are not PPIs but belong to different classes like H2 antagonists and
mucosal protectants.
2. A patient is prescribed lorazepam for anxiety. What is the primary action of
lorazepam?
A) It increases dopamine levels in the brain.
B) It blocks serotonin receptors.
C) It enhances the effects of GABA.
D) It inhibits norepinephrine uptake.
Answer: C) It enhances the effects of GABA.
Rationale:
Lorazepam is a benzodiazepine that works by enhancing the inhibitory effects of
gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) at the GABA-A receptor. This results in sedative,
anxiolytic, anticonvulsant, and muscle-relaxant properties. It does not increase
dopamine, block serotonin receptors, or inhibit norepinephrine uptake.
3. Which medication is used to treat an opioid overdose?
A) Naloxone
B) Flumazenil
,C) Atropine
D) Digoxin
Answer: A) Naloxone
Rationale:
Naloxone is an opioid antagonist that reverses the effects of opioid overdose by
binding to opioid receptors in the brain and displacing the opioids. Flumazenil is
used for benzodiazepine overdose, atropine for bradycardia, and digoxin for heart
failure and arrhythmias.
4. A patient is receiving a loop diuretic (furosemide) for heart failure. What is
the most important electrolyte to monitor during therapy?
A) Calcium
B) Sodium
C) Potassium
D) Magnesium
Answer: C) Potassium
Rationale:
Furosemide is a loop diuretic that causes significant potassium loss in the urine.
Hypokalemia (low potassium levels) is a common side effect, which can lead to
life-threatening arrhythmias. Monitoring potassium levels is essential in patients
receiving loop diuretics.
5. A patient is prescribed a beta-blocker for hypertension. Which of the
following is the most common side effect of beta-blockers?
A) Tachycardia
B) Hypotension
C) Weight gain
D) Insomnia
Answer: B) Hypotension
, Rationale:
Beta-blockers, such as metoprolol and atenolol, are commonly used to treat
hypertension. One of the most common side effects is hypotension (low blood
pressure), which results from the medication’s effect of reducing heart rate and
the force of contraction. Tachycardia, weight gain, and insomnia are not typical
side effects.
6. Which medication would be most appropriate for a patient experiencing an
acute asthma attack?
A) Fluticasone
B) Montelukast
C) Albuterol
D) Salmeterol
Answer: C) Albuterol
Rationale:
Albuterol is a short-acting beta-agonist (SABA) that provides rapid relief of
bronchospasm during an acute asthma attack. It works by relaxing the smooth
muscles in the airways. Fluticasone is a corticosteroid, montelukast is a
leukotriene receptor antagonist, and salmeterol is a long-acting beta-agonist,
none of which are appropriate for immediate relief of acute symptoms.
7. A patient is prescribed warfarin for the prevention of thromboembolic events.
Which laboratory test is most important to monitor?
A) Hemoglobin
B) Prothrombin time (PT)
C) Serum glucose
D) Blood urea nitrogen (BUN)
Answer: B) Prothrombin time (PT)
Rationale:
Warfarin is an anticoagulant that affects the clotting cascade. The prothrombin
