NU 578 — Test 2 & Unit 2
Combined 100 Original Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales
University of South Alabama • 2026/2027 Review
Section 1: Controlled Substances & Prescribing
1. Which controlled-substance schedule has the highest abuse potential and no currently
accepted medical use under U.S. federal law?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I substances are characterized federally by high abuse potential and no
currently accepted medical use. The classification system also considers dependence potential
and accepted medical applications.
2. Which statement best describes Schedule II medications?
A. They have no medical use
B. They have medical uses but substantial abuse/dependence potential
C. They have no abuse potential
D. They are available without restrictions
Answer: B
Rationale: Schedule II medications have accepted medical applications but are subject to
substantial regulatory controls because of abuse and dependence potential.
3. Which federal agency administers the Controlled Substances Act?
,A. DEA
B. CDC
C. FDA exclusively
D. NIH
Answer: A
Rationale: The Drug Enforcement Administration administers federal controlled-substance
scheduling and enforcement.
4. Which factor is considered when assigning a controlled substance to a schedule?
A. Color of the tablet
B. Abuse potential
C. Manufacturer's advertising budget
D. Medication cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Abuse potential, accepted medical use, and dependence-related considerations are
central to scheduling.
5. A major purpose of controlled-substance regulations is to:
A. Eliminate all prescription medications
B. Balance legitimate medical use with prevention of misuse and diversion
C. Allow unrestricted prescribing
D. Replace clinical judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled-substance regulations seek to permit appropriate treatment while reducing
misuse, diversion, and abuse.
Section 2: Opioid Pharmacology
6. The primary opioid receptor associated with many analgesic effects of opioid agonists is
the:
, A. Mu receptor
B. Nicotinic receptor
C. Beta-1 receptor
D. Histamine H2 receptor
Answer: A
Rationale: Mu-opioid receptors are strongly associated with analgesia as well as respiratory
depression, sedation, and other opioid effects.
7. Which adverse effect is particularly important to monitor in a patient receiving an
opioid?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Increased visual acuity
C. Hyperactivity
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression is a potentially serious adverse effect.
8. A common gastrointestinal adverse effect of opioids is:
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. GI bleeding in every patient
D. Increased gastric motility
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids decrease gastrointestinal motility and commonly cause constipation.
9. Opioid tolerance means that:
A. The medication has become an antibiotic
B. Increasing exposure may be required to produce the same pharmacologic effect
C. The patient can no longer experience adverse effects
D. Physical dependence is impossible
Combined 100 Original Practice
Questions with Answers & Rationales
University of South Alabama • 2026/2027 Review
Section 1: Controlled Substances & Prescribing
1. Which controlled-substance schedule has the highest abuse potential and no currently
accepted medical use under U.S. federal law?
A. Schedule I
B. Schedule II
C. Schedule III
D. Schedule IV
Answer: A
Rationale: Schedule I substances are characterized federally by high abuse potential and no
currently accepted medical use. The classification system also considers dependence potential
and accepted medical applications.
2. Which statement best describes Schedule II medications?
A. They have no medical use
B. They have medical uses but substantial abuse/dependence potential
C. They have no abuse potential
D. They are available without restrictions
Answer: B
Rationale: Schedule II medications have accepted medical applications but are subject to
substantial regulatory controls because of abuse and dependence potential.
3. Which federal agency administers the Controlled Substances Act?
,A. DEA
B. CDC
C. FDA exclusively
D. NIH
Answer: A
Rationale: The Drug Enforcement Administration administers federal controlled-substance
scheduling and enforcement.
4. Which factor is considered when assigning a controlled substance to a schedule?
A. Color of the tablet
B. Abuse potential
C. Manufacturer's advertising budget
D. Medication cost
Answer: B
Rationale: Abuse potential, accepted medical use, and dependence-related considerations are
central to scheduling.
5. A major purpose of controlled-substance regulations is to:
A. Eliminate all prescription medications
B. Balance legitimate medical use with prevention of misuse and diversion
C. Allow unrestricted prescribing
D. Replace clinical judgment
Answer: B
Rationale: Controlled-substance regulations seek to permit appropriate treatment while reducing
misuse, diversion, and abuse.
Section 2: Opioid Pharmacology
6. The primary opioid receptor associated with many analgesic effects of opioid agonists is
the:
, A. Mu receptor
B. Nicotinic receptor
C. Beta-1 receptor
D. Histamine H2 receptor
Answer: A
Rationale: Mu-opioid receptors are strongly associated with analgesia as well as respiratory
depression, sedation, and other opioid effects.
7. Which adverse effect is particularly important to monitor in a patient receiving an
opioid?
A. Respiratory depression
B. Increased visual acuity
C. Hyperactivity
D. Excessive salivation
Answer: A
Rationale: Opioid-induced respiratory depression is a potentially serious adverse effect.
8. A common gastrointestinal adverse effect of opioids is:
A. Diarrhea
B. Constipation
C. GI bleeding in every patient
D. Increased gastric motility
Answer: B
Rationale: Opioids decrease gastrointestinal motility and commonly cause constipation.
9. Opioid tolerance means that:
A. The medication has become an antibiotic
B. Increasing exposure may be required to produce the same pharmacologic effect
C. The patient can no longer experience adverse effects
D. Physical dependence is impossible
