NUR 635 FINAL EXAM REVIEW: 200 COMPREHENSIVE
PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS COVERING ALL TESTED
TOPICS (GCU 2026-2027)
1. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs in treating
depression?
A) Blocking dopamine reuptake
B) Inhibiting serotonin reuptake
C) Enhancing norepinephrine activity
D) Blocking acetylcholine receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) work by
blocking the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the
synaptic cleft. They are first-line agents for most depressive disorders
due to their favorable side-effect profile.
2. A patient asks when they will feel better after starting an SSRI.
What is the most accurate response?
A) "You should feel better within 24 hours."
B) "It may take 4 to 8 weeks to notice significant improvement."
C) "You will feel better after the first dose."
D) "It typically takes only 2 to 3 days."
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs generally require 4 to 8 weeks to achieve significant
therapeutic effects.
,3. What is the first-line treatment for mild intermittent asthma?
A) Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid
B) SABA (albuterol PRN)
C) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
D) Long-acting beta-agonist
Answer: B
Rationale: For mild intermittent asthma (Step 1), a short-acting beta-
agonist (SABA) such as albuterol is used as needed.
4. Which drug is used for the treatment of COPD?
A) Albuterol
B) Tiotropium (Spiriva)
C) Montelukast
D) Fluticasone
Answer: B
Rationale: Tiotropium (Spiriva) is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist
(LAMA) used for the treatment of COPD.
5. A patient with asthma has both an inhaled beta-agonist and an
inhaled corticosteroid. Which should be used first?
A) Corticosteroid first
B) Beta-agonist first to open the airway, then the steroid
C) Either order is fine
D) Use them at different times of the day
Answer: B
Rationale: The beta-agonist should be used first to open the airway,
allowing the corticosteroid to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
6. What is the cross-sensitivity between cephalosporins and penicillins
based on?
,A) Beta-lactam ring
B) Sulfa group
C) Aminoglycoside structure
D) Macrolide ring
Answer: A
Rationale: Cephalosporins and penicillins both contain a beta-lactam
ring, which is the basis for cross-sensitivity reactions.
7. Which drug improves GERD symptoms by increasing lower
esophageal sphincter tone?
A) Omeprazole
B) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
C) Famotidine
D) Antacids
Answer: B
Rationale: Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a prokinetic agent that increases
lower esophageal sphincter tone, improving GERD symptoms.
8. For a patient taking betaxolol ophthalmic drops, what should be
monitored?
A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension and bradycardia
C) Tachycardia
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Betaxolol is a beta-blocker; ophthalmic administration can be
systemically absorbed, leading to hypotension and bradycardia.
9. What is the important rule with Flagyl (metronidazole)?
A) Take with food
, B) Avoid alcohol
C) Take on an empty stomach
D) Avoid sunlight
Answer: B
Rationale: Metronidazole (Flagyl) causes a disulfiram-like reaction when
combined with alcohol; patients must avoid alcohol during and for 48
hours after treatment.
10. What is the black box warning for fluoroquinolones?
A) Hepatotoxicity
B) Spontaneous tendon rupture
C) Nephrotoxicity
D) Cardiotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones carry a black box warning for spontaneous
tendon rupture and tendonitis.
11. A patient taking clindamycin develops frequent diarrhea. What is
the likely diagnosis?
A) Viral gastroenteritis
B) Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis
C) Food poisoning
D) Irritable bowel syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Clindamycin is associated with C. diff infection, which
presents with frequent diarrhea.
12. G6PD deficiency can trigger anemia when exposed to which of the
following?
A) Penicillins
PHARMACOLOGY QUESTIONS COVERING ALL TESTED
TOPICS (GCU 2026-2027)
1. What is the primary mechanism of action of SSRIs in treating
depression?
A) Blocking dopamine reuptake
B) Inhibiting serotonin reuptake
C) Enhancing norepinephrine activity
D) Blocking acetylcholine receptors
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs (Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors) work by
blocking the reuptake of serotonin, increasing its availability in the
synaptic cleft. They are first-line agents for most depressive disorders
due to their favorable side-effect profile.
2. A patient asks when they will feel better after starting an SSRI.
What is the most accurate response?
A) "You should feel better within 24 hours."
B) "It may take 4 to 8 weeks to notice significant improvement."
C) "You will feel better after the first dose."
D) "It typically takes only 2 to 3 days."
Answer: B
Rationale: SSRIs generally require 4 to 8 weeks to achieve significant
therapeutic effects.
,3. What is the first-line treatment for mild intermittent asthma?
A) Low-dose inhaled corticosteroid
B) SABA (albuterol PRN)
C) Leukotriene receptor antagonist
D) Long-acting beta-agonist
Answer: B
Rationale: For mild intermittent asthma (Step 1), a short-acting beta-
agonist (SABA) such as albuterol is used as needed.
4. Which drug is used for the treatment of COPD?
A) Albuterol
B) Tiotropium (Spiriva)
C) Montelukast
D) Fluticasone
Answer: B
Rationale: Tiotropium (Spiriva) is a long-acting muscarinic antagonist
(LAMA) used for the treatment of COPD.
5. A patient with asthma has both an inhaled beta-agonist and an
inhaled corticosteroid. Which should be used first?
A) Corticosteroid first
B) Beta-agonist first to open the airway, then the steroid
C) Either order is fine
D) Use them at different times of the day
Answer: B
Rationale: The beta-agonist should be used first to open the airway,
allowing the corticosteroid to penetrate deeper into the lungs.
6. What is the cross-sensitivity between cephalosporins and penicillins
based on?
,A) Beta-lactam ring
B) Sulfa group
C) Aminoglycoside structure
D) Macrolide ring
Answer: A
Rationale: Cephalosporins and penicillins both contain a beta-lactam
ring, which is the basis for cross-sensitivity reactions.
7. Which drug improves GERD symptoms by increasing lower
esophageal sphincter tone?
A) Omeprazole
B) Metoclopramide (Reglan)
C) Famotidine
D) Antacids
Answer: B
Rationale: Metoclopramide (Reglan) is a prokinetic agent that increases
lower esophageal sphincter tone, improving GERD symptoms.
8. For a patient taking betaxolol ophthalmic drops, what should be
monitored?
A) Hypertension
B) Hypotension and bradycardia
C) Tachycardia
D) Hyperglycemia
Answer: B
Rationale: Betaxolol is a beta-blocker; ophthalmic administration can be
systemically absorbed, leading to hypotension and bradycardia.
9. What is the important rule with Flagyl (metronidazole)?
A) Take with food
, B) Avoid alcohol
C) Take on an empty stomach
D) Avoid sunlight
Answer: B
Rationale: Metronidazole (Flagyl) causes a disulfiram-like reaction when
combined with alcohol; patients must avoid alcohol during and for 48
hours after treatment.
10. What is the black box warning for fluoroquinolones?
A) Hepatotoxicity
B) Spontaneous tendon rupture
C) Nephrotoxicity
D) Cardiotoxicity
Answer: B
Rationale: Fluoroquinolones carry a black box warning for spontaneous
tendon rupture and tendonitis.
11. A patient taking clindamycin develops frequent diarrhea. What is
the likely diagnosis?
A) Viral gastroenteritis
B) Clostridioides difficile (C. diff) colitis
C) Food poisoning
D) Irritable bowel syndrome
Answer: B
Rationale: Clindamycin is associated with C. diff infection, which
presents with frequent diarrhea.
12. G6PD deficiency can trigger anemia when exposed to which of the
following?
A) Penicillins
